Arrest Warrant Requirements - Juvenile Courts

If this bill is passed, it will update part of the Code of Georgia about courts.

• Code of Georgia: These are the rules or laws for the state of Georgia that say what people in Georgia can and cannot do.

This bill:

• Sets out rules for arrest warrants when courts that deal with children are acting as inquiry courts.

  • Arrest warrant: A paper from a judge that gives the police permission to arrest someone they believe broke the law.

  • Inquiry courts: A special court hearing where a judge reviews evidence to decide if a case should go forward.

• Tweaks a specific part of the Code of Georgia about what to do when crimes happen to keep everything consistent.

• Cancels any other laws that stop this one from working.

• Updates part of the Code of Georgia about the power of courts that deal with children as inquiry courts.

• Lays out how to find people who have done crime and figure out probable cause for charging them as a criminal

  • Probable cause: A good reason to believe someone did something illegal, based on facts and evidence.

• Explains what’s needed for arrest warrants.

• Allows police to carry out a warrant (like arresting a person or searching a place) across counties without needing a judge’s okay in the county where it’s done.

• Adds a new part to Code of Georgia about state representation in court cases involving a child.

  • State representation: A lawyer for the government who handles cases in court.

• Clarifies what district attorneys and solicitors can do in criminal cases involving the court that deals with children.

  • District Attorney: A government lawyer who makes decisions about serious crimes and tries to prove in court that someone broke the law.

  • Solicitors: Government lawyers who handle less serious crimes (like traffic violations or small thefts) and take cases to court.

• Fixes part of the Code of Georgia about who can give out arrest warrants.

• Adds to the list of judges and city officials, including retired judges, who can give out warrants.

• Updates part of the Code of Georgia regarding who can lead inquiry courts.

• Makes it clear that judges from different courts can hold inquiries and use audio-visual tools.