About Us

The Juvenile Court of Macon-Bibb County is a dependent Juvenile Court established under Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia. The Court handles all cases involving delinquent behavior by minors under the age of 17. In cases involving unruly, abused, or neglected children, the Court maintains jurisdiction until the individual reaches 18 years of age.

Cases brought before the Juvenile Court generally fall into one of the following categories:

Delinquent

A delinquent referral is a referral for an act that is considered a crime under state law, federal law, or local ordinances, including certain traffic offenses. The act must have been committed by a child under the age of 17.

Dependency

A dependency referral involves a child who is without proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or other necessary care for their physical, mental, or emotional well-being. It may also involve a child who has been placed for care or adoption in violation of the law, has been abandoned by a parent or legal custodian, or is without a parent, guardian, or custodian.

Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

A Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) referral involves the legal and permanent severance of the parent-child relationship. If parental rights are terminated, the child may become eligible for adoption.

Child in Need of Services

A Child in Need of Services (CHINS) referral involves a violation of a law that applies specifically to children. Such offenses include, but are not limited to, truancy, running away, curfew violations, and habitual disobedience of a parent’s reasonable and lawful commands (ungovernable behavior).

Traffic

A traffic referral involves traffic charges against a person under the age of 17. The law mandates that certain traffic offenses be transferred to the delinquent docket.