This is the homepage of the Northern Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court. This court serves the children and families of Elbert, Franklin, Hart, Madison and Oglethorpe Counties in Georgia.

Hon. Warren C. Caswell Judge, Juvenile Courts Northern Judicial Circuit PO Box 318 Ila, GA 30647 Phone: (706) 789-3609

Serving children and families in Elbert, Franklin, Hart, Madison & Oglethorpe Counties in Northeast Georgia. The Juvenile Court generally hears the following types of cases: Dependency, Delinquency, Traffic, Termination of Parental Rights, CHINS (Children in Need of Services), Emancipation, Parental Notifcation, as well as properly transferred Guardianship and Custody cases. COVID-19 Information: The Juvenile Court of the Northern Judicial Circuit is currently under a Declared Judicial Emergency by the Supreme Court of Georgia and the Chief Judge of the Superior Courts of the Northern Judicial Circuit. The Juvenile Court is now hearing an expanded calendar in compliance with all Judicial Emergency Declaration Orders and public health guidance for safe courtrooms. For your reference and convenience the Declarations, as well as the Juvenile Court's plan of action are included below. The declared State of Judicial Emergency is currently set to expire at 11:59pm on February 7, 2021. Plan for Continued Juvenile Court Operations During Judicial Emergency Covid-19 Operations Order as Required by Third Declaration of Judicial Emergency Amended Master Circuit Continued Operations Order of September 15, 2020 Amended Operations Order Restoring Risk Reduction Teams to all five counties of the Northern Judicial Circuit Infection control measures to expect when coming to court. Original Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency Original Declaration of Judicial Emergency in the Northern Judicial Circuit The Judicial Emergency was orginally set to expire at 11:59pm on April 13, 2020. However, on April 6, 2020 Chief Justice Harold D. Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia extended the Judicial Emergency, and set it to expire on May 13, 2020. Chief Judge Jeffery S. Malcom also filed an order extending the declared emergency. Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency Order Extending Declared Judicial Emergency in the Northern Judicial Circuit On April 24, 2020 Chief Judge Jeffery S. Malcom of the Superior Courts of the Northern Judicial Circuit extended the Judicial Emergency in the Northern Judicial Circuit thru May 31, 2020. Extension of of Judicial Emergency Order thru May 31, 2020 On May 11, 2020 Chief Justice Harold Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia extended the Judicial Emergency until 11:59pm June 12, 2020. Order extending Judicial Emergency Statewide thru June 12, 2020 On May 29, 2020 Chief Judge Jeffery S. Malcom extended the Declaration of Judicial Emergency in the Northern Circuit through June 12, 2020. Extension of Judicial Emergency through June 12, 2020 On June 12, 2020 Chief Justice Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia extended the Declaration of Judicial Emergency until July 12, 2020 at 11:59 PM. Some restrictions were changed and some deadlines were reimposed. Read the full Order for details. Third Extension of Judicial Emergency through July 12, 2020 On June 18, 2020 Chief Judge Malcom of the Northern Circuit Superior Court issued the following Order on Continued Operations in the Northern Judicial Circuit. This Order applies to the Juvenile Court. Continued Operations Order. On July 10, 2020 Chief Justice Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia extended the Judical Emergency thru Tuesday August 11, 2020. This Order modifies some coditions of the State of Judicial Emergency, notably deadlines have been reimposed on litigants. Read the full order for details. Fourth Extension of Judicial Emergency On August 11, 2020 Chief Justice Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia extended the Judicial Emergency thru Thursday September 10, 2020. The full Order is below for your review. Fifth Extension of Judicial Emergency On September 10, 2020 Chief Justice Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia extended the Judicial Emergency thru October 10, 2020. The full Order is below for your review and contains siginificant changes. Sixth Extension of Judicial Emergency On September 15, 2020 Chief Judge Malcom of the Northern Circuit Superior Court issued the following Amended Order on Continued Operations in the Northern Judicial Circuit. This Order applies to the Juvenile Court. Second Amended Operations Order On October 10, 2020 Chief Justice Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia extended the Judicial Emergency thru November 9, 2020. The full Order is below and is different from the prior orders, including a lifting of the ban on jury trials. Seventh Extension of Judicial Emergency On November 9, 2020 Chief Justice Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia extended the Judicial Emergency thru December 9, 2020. The full Order is below and differes from the October 10, 2020 Order. Eighth Extension of Judicial Emergency On December 9, 2020 Chief Justice Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia extended the Judicial Emergency thru January 8, 2021. The full Order is below for your review. Ninth Extension of Judicial Emergency On December 23, 2020 Chief Justice Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia modified the Emergency Order of December 9, 2020 to prohibit jury trials. The moratorium is expected to last until at least February. The full order, with modification order, is here: Modified Ninth Extension of Judicial Emergency On January 8, 2021 Chief Justice Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia extended the Judicial Emergency thru February 7, 2021. The full Order is below for your review. Tenth Extension of Judicial Emergency Visitation may be altered during the period of Declared Judicial Emergency. If you have questions about your case or visitation, please contact your case manager at your local Department of Family and Children's Services office.