§ 15-11-30.4 - Transfer of criminal or quasi-criminal proceeding to juvenile court; accusatory pleading in lieu of petition absent contrary court order
O.C.G.A. 15-11-30.4 (2010)
15-11-30.4. Transfer of criminal or quasi-criminal proceeding to juvenile court; accusatory pleading in lieu of petition absent contrary court order
If it appears to any court in a criminal proceeding or a quasi-criminal proceeding that the defendant is a child, except in cases where the superior court has exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction as provided in subsection (b) of Code Section 15-11-28, the case shall forthwith be transferred to the juvenile court together with a copy of the accusatory pleading and all other papers, documents, and transcripts of testimony relating to the case. The transferring court shall order that the child be taken forthwith to the juvenile court or to a place of detention designated by the court or shall release him or her to the custody of his or her parent, guardian, custodian, or other person legally responsible for him or her, to be brought before the juvenile court at a time designated by that court. The accusatory pleading may serve in lieu of a petition in the juvenile court unless that court directs the filing of a petition.