Children's Law and Juvenile Justice

Georgia Code

The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) is the official compilation of Georgia law.  As an annotated code, the O.C.G.A. is an excellent resource for important judicial decisions and law reviews.  Laws can also be found in the unofficial West’s Code of Georgia Annotated.  The O.C.G.A (Lexis) and West’s Code of Georgia Annotated are available in print and located at MacMillan Law Library in the King and Spalding Room, 3^rd floor. 

Online access is available through Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law.  Free online access is available through:

• Lexis (unannotated version only)
• Georgia General Assembly
• Secretary of State
• Fastcase: free access with GA bar membership; Emory subscription available to Emory students, faculty and staff

Reforms to Georgia’s Juvenile Code went into effect on January 1, 2014.  The Juvenile Code amendments can be found in the reformed Title 15 – Chapter 11, Title 42, Title 49 – Chapter 4A, and other provisions.  Georgia's laws governing minors include, but are not limited to the following O.C.G.A. titles: 

• Title 15 – Courts; Juvenile Courts; Child Advocate for the Protection of Children; Termination of Parental Rights
• Title 17 – Criminal Procedure; Juvenile Detention
• Title 19 – Domestic Relations; Child Abuse and Neglect; Adoption
• Title 39 – Minors; Interstate Compact on Juveniles
• Title 42 – Penal Institutions; Youth Offenders
• Title 49 – Social Services; Juvenile Justice; Youth Services

Georgia Administrative Law

The Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia is the compilation of state agencies’ rules and regulations, including those related to juvenile justice.  Georgia's rules may be accessed in print or online.  While the print version does not have an index, online versions are searchable by the chapter or rule number, popular name or by agency.  The official looseleaf print version is located in the King and Spalding Room, 3^rd floor of the MacMillan Law Library. 

Free access is available to the unofficial online version from the Secretary of State’s website.  The rules and regulations are also accessible via Lexis, Westlaw and BloombergLaw.

Child welfare and juvenile justice chapters include, but are not limited to:

• Chapter 97 – Department of Juvenile Justice
• Chapter 98 – Grants of the Children’s Trust Fund Commission

United States Code

While most laws governing child welfare and juvenile justice are state-specific, additional federal statutes may also address child-related legal issues.  The United States Code, United States Code Annotated and United States Code Service, in print, are arranged by subject and located on the 3^rd floor of MacMillan Law Library. 

Online access is also available through Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law.  Free online access to the United States Code is available via govinfo and the U.S. House - Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 

Child welfare and juvenile justice statutes are primarily covered in, but not limited to:

• Title 18 – Crimes and Criminal Procedure
• Title 42 – Public Health and Welfare

Federal Administrative Law

The Federal Register and Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) are located in print on the 3^rd floor of MacMillan Law Library.  Both are also accessible online via govinfo, HeinOnline, Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law.