JUVENILE COURT
EASTERN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

THE COURT
The Juvenile Court is responsible for handling all delinquent complaints concerning children who are under the age of 17 years. However, in cases involving unruly children or abused and neglected children the age limit is extended to those under the age of 18 years.  Complaints may be initiated by a parent, victim, police department, welfare agency, or other interested parties.

The Court is organized into four divisions: Intake, Probation, Clerk of Court and Panel Coordinator. The Intake staff screens the complaints and determines the appropriate course of action. The Probation staff provides supervision to children found delinquent or unruly and in need of court supervision. The Clerk of Court provides assistance to all officers of the Court and the public in filing of all traffic, criminal and deprivation documentation concerning juveniles, record all juvenile hearings, and maintain all juvenile court records. The Panel Coordinator handles authorization for shelter cares, as well as, coordinates and organizes panel reviews for all children in the custody Department of Family and Children Services.

THE JUDICIARY
The Chatham County Juvenile Court judges are: Chief Judge John Beam, Judge Patricia P. Stone and Judge LeRoy Burke III.  The judges are appointed to four-year terms by the Chatham County Superior Court. Judges must be 30 years of age, have practiced law for five years, and have lived in Georgia for three years. Full-time judges cannot practice law while holding office. The jurisdiction of the Chatham County Juvenile Court encompasses all of Chatham County, which includes the cities of Savannah, Tybee Island, Pooler, Garden City, Port Wentworth, Bloomingdale, Thunderbolt, and Vernonburg.