Juvenile Court

The Juvenile Court handles cases involving children who are alleged to be a Child in Need of Services (CHINS) due to truancy, runaway, chronic disobedience, curfew violation, or any other child-related matters, not exclusively reserved for Superior Court. The Juvenile Court also handles cases involving allegations of child abuse, neglect, delinquency, and juvenile traffic violations.

The Judge of the Juvenile Court is appointed by the Chief Superior Court Judge of the Middle Circuit. The Judge of the Juvenile Court is Judge Sherri McDonald. Judge McDonald presides over all Juvenile Court matters within the Middle Judicial Circuit. The Middle Judicial Circuit is comprised of Washington, Jefferson, Emanuel, Toombs, and Candler Counties.

The Juvenile Court requires the assistance of the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Family and Children Services, the Board of Education and local schools, the Special Attorney General for Juvenile Court, and the Guardian Ad Litem. Juvenile Court is held in Washington County at 10 am on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. 

Disclaimer: The Clerk of Superior Court is committed to providing quality customer service. However, the clerk's office cannot provide legal advice. If you have questions about what to file or your legal rights, please seek advice from an attorney licensed to practice law in Georgia.