Adolphus Graves, Juvenile Court Administrator

Mimi Morrison, Admin Assistant
(770) 528-2271

The Court Administrator is responsible for assisting in the planning, directing and overseeing of non-judicial operations and staff of the Juvenile Court. The office of the Court Administrator is responsible for: the management of all court activities and programs, monitoring administrative court operations and financial functions, and participating in the development and implementation of goals and objectives for the Court. 

The Court Administrator communicates with Juvenile Court Judges and other officials concerning administrative and programming issues as presented.  As complex issues arise, process change recommendations are developed, considered, and implemented to ensure that the Court’s procedural guidelines are sustainably aligned with national, state and local best practice standards.

Janesta Nairn, Court Support Manager
(770) 528-2501 

Research shows that the manifestation of CHINS and delinquent behavior in youth can stem from multiple social, physical, mental, and educational factors.  This conundrum presents a concern for the Juvenile Justice system, requiring immediate action to offset a deeper penetration in the system.  The Court Support Division was designed to identify and recommend viable front-end services to the juveniles and families at the initiation of a case in Cobb County Juvenile Court by: 1) thoroughly examining all new charges brought before the Court to refer juveniles to the most-effective department, thus suggesting linkage to services; 2) providing crisis intervention and assessments to internal and external consumers to ensure their safety and stabilization before proceeding with the business before the Court; and 3) for formally-involved cases, assessing juveniles' risks, needs, and responsivity factors to conduct a comprehensive conceptualization of the juveniles and families before the Court.  The Court Support Division entails the Intake, Assessment, Classification, and Transition (A.C.T.), Family Therapist Units, and Departmental Solutions Analyst.

Intake Unit

Rita Evans, Intake Supervisor 
(770) 528-2241 

The Intake Unit of the Juvenile Court is comprised of one supervisor and three full-time intake officers.  The intake officers handle the juvenile cases from the time the complaint is received in the unit until a recommendation for handling the case is made.  The intake officers make the initial contact with parents/legal custodians, victims and law enforcement.  They gather information to make recommendations regarding the handling of cases.   Many first offenders can be dealt with effective through an informal process that addresses the complaint without a formal appearance before a Judge.  If a case must be handled formally, the intake officer will prepare the case to be sent to the District Attorney’s Office for petitioning.

The Intake Unit assists the public with filing runaway and ungovernable complaints and dependency petitions and motions.

Assessment Classification and Transition (A.C.T.) Unit

Kathy Gorrell, A.C.T. Supervisor
(770) 528-2249

The Assessment, Classification, Transition (A.C.T.) Unit was implemented as a triage unit for formal cases exiting Court. Upon completing any adjudicatory, dispositional hearing or specific conditions of the release order, the youth and family will report to the A.C.T. unit with their "Court Order" to complete the "Admission Packet" paperwork and meet with an A.C.T. Officer.  During the visit, the A.C.T. Officer will orient the youth and legal custodian to the court process, conduct a Youth Level of Service Case Management Inventory: Screening Research Version instrument (YLS/CMI: S.R.V.) with the child and family to establish an initial screening of risk and need levels for purposes of determining the level and nature of interventions required by the youth and indicate whether a further assessment would be beneficial. 

Cases where the child was adjudicated for the first time or set over for disposition will potentially be assigned to an A.C.T. officer for further assessment, with the Youth Level of Service Case Management Inventory: instrument (YLS/CMI: ),  and a thorough disposition investigation, with recommendations presented to the Judge, attorneys, and probation department.  When necessary, the A.C.T. officer will also serve as a follow-up point of contact for the child and family to ensure that all court-ordered conditions concerning referrals for service, screenings, and other court-ordered evaluations are scheduled.

Family Therapist Unit

Cicily Edwards, MA, LPC
(770) 528-2296

Vivian Roberts, MSW
(770) 528-2297

Teristan Cooper, LPC
(770) 528-1034

The Cobb County Juvenile Court therapists are licensed or licensed-eligible clinicians providing support and consultation to the Judiciary and Court employees regarding juveniles and families before the Court.  Therapists are trained to offer crisis intervention services for individuals experiencing a crisis while before the Court.  The therapists also complete assessments to determine specific needs and actively collaborate with community agencies to ensure juveniles receive treatment based on their risk to the community and individual and family needs.

Jennifer L. Lehr, Esq. – Clerk of Court    
(770) 528-2220
(770) 528-2561 (Fax)
(770) 528-2264 (Traffic Line)

The Clerk of Court’s duties are statutory in nature and are found in the Official Code of Georgia; the Clerk is also mandated to follow the Uniform Rules of the Juvenile Courts of the State of Georgia. The Clerk is responsible for maintaining accurate and complete records of all juvenile court proceedings, maintaining court calendars, including scheduling hearings, and sending hearing notices to parties for all CCJC cases, including traffic matters. In addition, all court ordered fees, fines and restitution payments are received and disbursed by the Clerk.

The Clerk of Juvenile Court and the deputy clerks are committed to providing you with excellent customer service. We can process all information requests, including requests for certified documents, and can provide general information regarding the juvenile court and its divisions assist you with questions regarding any services this office can offer, however; we are prohibited from answering any legal matters or giving legal advice.

The Juvenile Court can accept payments in the form of cash, money order, personal checks, or credit cards (Visa & MasterCard only). We cannot accept credit cards for restitution payments. The Juvenile Court will only accept a credit card in person. The Juvenile Court will only accept a credit card from the authorized user with a picture ID.

***Attorneys of record may now request copies of file documents by emailing ccjcdocs@cobbcounty.com. An Entry of Appearance must be on file prior to the request being made.***

As of January 3, 2023, objections to changes of placement may be filed electronically at juvclerk@cobbcounty.org. No form is needed. All parties entitled to notice of the objection should be copied to the email. The subject line of the email should read:  ELECTRONIC NOTICE OF OBJECTION TO CHANGE OF PLACEMENT. The body of the email should contain the following information:

1. Name if child or children, date(s) of birth, and all pertinent case numbers 

2. Name of person filing the objection

3. Brief summary of reason for objection

Within 24 hours of submission of an electronic objection to placement change, an email confirming receipt of the same will be sent by the Clerk's Office. The objection email will be printed, file stamped, and added to the court file. Copies will be mailed via USPS to all parties entitled to notice who do not have attorney representation.

June Floyd, Chief Probation Officer
(770) 528-2274

Kathy Gorrell, Probation Supervisor
(770) 528-2249

Sharon Mashburn, Probation Supervisor
(770) 528-1094

Youth placed on probation, in most circumstances, will be supervised by a probation officer. Probation will hold youth accountable for their actions in accordance with court orders through various means. Probation works closely with the youth and their family to encourage positive behavior change through partnering the youth with relevant programs, services, and treatments. Cobb County Juvenile Court works closely with numerous community organizations and partners to provide individualized behavioral interventions that are targeted specifically to the youth’s risks and needs.

Cobb County Juvenile Probation provides a variety of options for the supervision and case management of youth. Options include but are not limited to family and individual therapy, RISING, Juvenile Drug Treatment Court, mental health assessment/counseling, drug and alcohol assessment, anger management, YLS/CMI 2.0, mentor programs, leadership programs, educational tutoring, sex offender supervision, and gang suppression. Providing a variety of options ensures children involved with the Cobb County Juvenile Court are given the best opportunity to complete their probation successfully with the goal of a safer community for everyone.

Carlene Redmond, Court Program Administrator
(770) 528-2286

The Restorative Programs Division is comprised of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, the Family Treatment Court (FTC) program, the Alternative Dispute Resolution/Mediation Unit, and the Pre-Adjudication Unit (Diversion, Children in Need of Services (CHINS), Peer Court). This myriad of programs and resources operates to serve children who have experienced abuse or neglect, commercially exploited children, children whose caregivers have suffered from substance abuse, children with truancy issues, youth in need of early interventions to reduce risky behavior, and youth who are held accountable after a lapse in judgment. If in the child’s best interest, their caregivers are encouraged to assist in the child’s success.   

Collaboratively working with local and state agencies, schools, community-based volunteers, clinicians, and other professionals, the Restorative Programs Division seeks to instill new attitudes, reintegrate productive citizens, and promote functional families. 

Promoting Safety While Restoring Dreams

Maricruz Garcia, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program Coordinator
(770) 528-2285

Emma Walton, LMSW, Family Treatment Court (FTC) Program Coordinator
(770) 528-3342

Pre-Adjudication Unit

Bridget Jones, Pre-Adjudication Unit Supervisor
(770) 528-2042

Michael Figueras, Pre-Adjudication Unit Coordinator
(770) 528-2284

The Pre-Adjudication Unit is comprised of a Supervisor, Coordinator, and two Probation Officers. This unit oversees Children In Need of Services (CHINS), Diversion, Delinquency Mediation, and Peer Court. The goal is to divert cases from the formal court process by connecting families to community resources, assisting parents with advocating for their children, and allowing juveniles an opportunity to take accountability for their actions.

CHINS

The Children In Need of Services (CHINS) team proactively seeks to offer guidance, support, and supervision to youth who are charged with offenses due to their minor age status. The team works with families to reduce and eliminate formal court involvement by offering resources and providing interventions while continuing to reassess the needs of the youth and family. By developing individualized case plans while collaborating with service providers and community partners, the team works to empower families seeking to overcome truancy, ungovernable behaviors, and elopement issues.

Diversion

Diversion serves as a path to redirect low risk youth, who have been charged with first-time misdemeanor offenses, from formal court involvement thereby freeing up resources for other youth requiring high level supervision.   Youth who admit to the offense with which they have been charged enter an Informal Adjustment agreement. The case can remain open for up to 90 days while the youth completes community service, essays, letters of apology, and/or participate in therapeutic services. Upon successful completion of the conditions set forth in the Informal Adjustment, youth qualify to have their record sealed.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Unit

Alternative Dispute Resolution (Mediation) is used in Juvenile Court dependency matters involving reunification case plans, child placement, visitation, etc. There is no charge to mediation participants in dependency matters. Mediation is also considered for all first-time delinquent offenses and first-time misdemeanors if the victim and/or complainant is willing to participate. Victims and complainants are not charged to participate.

Mediation sessions are informal, confidential, and non-adversarial. The goal is to have all sides reach a resolution or amicable agreement that addresses their concerns. Mediation sessions are conducted by registered neutrals who have completed a rigorous schedule of training, observations, and certification through the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. They are professionals within the community.

Research shows that when people are part of the process to define their issues and create agreeable solutions, they tend to comply with the agreements more exactly than compliance with a court order from a judge. For more information, call 770-528-1034.