Juvenile Charge Defense

When your child is facing juvenile criminal charges in Atlanta, every decision you make in the coming hours and days can determine the trajectory of their entire life. A juvenile record can affect college admissions, scholarship eligibility, employment opportunities, military service, and professional licensing. In some cases, a young person can even be prosecuted as an adult, facing the same penalties as fully grown offenders.

At Bixon Law, Atlanta juvenile crimes defense lawyer Michael Bixon understands the unique challenges and stakes involved in juvenile cases. With 15 years of criminal defense experience in Georgia courts, Michael has successfully defended young people facing charges ranging from shoplifting and underage drinking to serious felonies like aggravated assault and drug trafficking. He knows that juveniles are not simply “small adults” — they are still developing, capable of rehabilitation, and deserve a second chance.

Michael Bixon approaches every juvenile case with two goals: protecting your child’s constitutional rights and preserving their future. He is a graduate of the Bill Daniel Trial Advocacy Program and has been recognized as one of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. He is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide immediate guidance when your child is arrested, detained, or under investigation.

If your child is facing juvenile charges in Atlanta or the surrounding counties, do not wait. Contact Bixon Law immediately to begin building a defense strategy that protects your child’s rights and their future.

Understanding Georgia’s Juvenile Justice System

Georgia’s juvenile justice system is designed to be rehabilitative rather than punitive. The philosophy is that young people are capable of change and that the focus should be on addressing the underlying causes of delinquent behavior rather than simply punishing them. However, the reality is that juvenile court can still result in serious consequences, including detention, placement in a youth development campus, and even transfer to adult court.

Who Is Considered a Juvenile in Georgia?

In Georgia, a juvenile is defined as a person under the age of 17 at the time the alleged offense was committed. This means that if your child commits an offense on their 16th birthday, they are still subject to juvenile court jurisdiction. However, once a child turns 17, they are treated as an adult for criminal law purposes.

Important exceptions:

– Designated felonies: Certain serious offenses committed by juveniles age 13 and older are automatically filed in superior (adult) court, rather than juvenile court. We discuss these offenses in detail below.

– Transfer to adult court: In some cases, a juvenile can be transferred from juvenile court to adult court through a process called a “transfer hearing” or “waiver hearing.”

Common Juvenile Offenses in Atlanta

Michael Bixon has defended young people facing a wide range of charges in Georgia’s juvenile courts. Here are some of the most common offenses:

Shoplifting and Theft▼

Shoplifting (O.C.G.A. § 16-8-14) is one of the most common juvenile offenses. It occurs when a minor takes merchandise from a store without paying. Even a first-time shoplifting offense can result in a juvenile record, restitution to the store, community service, and probation.

Defenses:

Lack of intent to steal
Mistake or accident
False accusation by store security

Drug Possession▼

Possession of marijuana, prescription drugs without a prescription, or other controlled substances is a common juvenile charge. Georgia law treats drug possession seriously, even for minors.

Consequences:

Juvenile probation
Mandatory drug treatment or counseling
Suspension of driver’s license (even if the offense did not involve driving)
Impact on financial aid eligibility under federal law (FAFSA)

Defenses:

Illegal search and seizure (Fourth Amendment violation)
Lack of possession (drugs belonged to someone else)
Lack of knowledge (child did not know the drugs were in their bag, car, etc.)

Underage Drinking and Possession of Alcohol▼

Georgia law prohibits anyone under 21 from possessing or consuming alcohol. Underage drinking is typically a misdemeanor, but it can still result in a juvenile record, fines, community service, and a driver’s license suspension.

Common scenarios:

Caught at a party where alcohol is present
Open a container in a vehicle
Using a fake ID to purchase alcohol

Defenses:

Lack of possession (child was at a party but not drinking)
Illegal search (police did not have probable cause to search)

Simple Assault and Battery▼

Assault and battery charges often arise from fights at school, altercations at parties, or disputes between juveniles. Even a minor scuffle can result in serious charges if injuries occur or if weapons are involved.

Defenses:

Self-defense
Mutual combat (both parties were aggressors)
Lack of intent
False accusation

Vandalism and Criminal Damage to Property▼

Vandalism charges typically involve graffiti, destruction of school property, or damage to vehicles. These cases often require restitution to the victim and can result in probation or community service.

Curfew Violations▼

Some juveniles are charged with serious felonies, including:

Aggravated assault
Armed robbery
Burglary
Drug trafficking
Sexual offenses
Murder or manslaughter

These cases can result in long-term placement in a youth development campus or transfer to adult court, where the child faces adult penalties, including prison.

Unruly vs. Delinquent: Two Types of Juvenile Cases

Georgia law divides juvenile cases into two categories: unruly children and delinquent children.

Unruly Children (O.C.G.A. § 15-11-2(12))

An unruly child is a child who:

Habitually disobeys the reasonable commands of their parents or legal guardian
Runs away from home
Wanders or loiters in the streets at unreasonable hours without parental permission
Disobeys school rules or is habitually truant
Engages in conduct that endangers their own health, safety, or morals

Unruly cases are generally less serious and focus on family intervention, counseling, and supervision rather than detention. The goal is to address the root causes of the child’s behavior and to provide support to the family.