The Clayton County Juvenile Court has been the home of innovative programs and practices aimed at reducing the delinquency and dependency of the youth involved with its juvenile justice and child welfare systems.
The same remains true today, with Clayton County Juvenile Court serving as a leader in innovation and reform within the state of Georgia and across the nation.
Our CASA program and our work with the Clayton County System of Care and Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative are often seen as models for other jurisdictions.
Jurisdiction
Except as noted below [1] the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 15-11-10, gives the Juvenile Court exclusive jurisdiction over matters concerning a child who is:
- Under the age of 18 years;
- Under the age of 17 years when alleged to have committed a delinquent act;
- Under the age of 22 years and in the care of the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS);
- Under the age of 23 years and eligible for and receiving independent living services through DFCS; or
- Under the age of 21 years who committed an act of delinquency before reaching the age of 17 years and who has been placed under the supervision of the court or on probation to the court for the purpose of enforcing orders of the court.
Judiciary
The Clayton County Juvenile Court is served by three full-time judges, with the Honorable Deitra Burney-Butler serving as chief judge since 2021; she was appointed to the Juvenile Court bench in 2009.
Judge Salvia Smith Fox was appointed to the Juvenile Court bench in 2021 and Judge Leslie Miller Terry was appointed to the Juvenile Court bench in 2022. Our judges are appointed by the Clayton County Superior Court to four-year terms.
The judges in Juvenile Court hear all cases that come under its jurisdiction that are formally processed. This includes the arraignment, adjudication, and disposition hearings in matters of delinquency, in cases involving children in need of services (CHINS), and dependency matters.
Detention hearings, to determine whether or not a child must remain in a detention facility or in protective custody pending further court action, are another responsibility of the judges.
Our judges are responsible for issuing all orders of the court as well as bench warrants, pick-up orders, and ex parte orders involving children under its jurisdiction.
Additionally, Clayton County Juvenile Court judges are called upon to hear a variety of special proceedings cases. These cases involve special circumstances such as permission to marry, extensions of custody, waiver of parental notification of abortion, and termination of parental rights.
Judges
- Chief Judge Fatima El-Amin
- Judge Vincent Crawford
- Judge Linda Bratton Haynes
- Judge Temika Murry
- Judge Desiree Sutton Peagler
Location & Contact Information
9163 Tara Boulevard
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Phone: (770) 477-3270
