COVID-19 Response

Based upon the COVID-19 public health guidelines, the Fulton County Juvenile Court has implemented an ongoing COVID-19 Response for court proceedings for the health and safety of all persons attending court or working in the Juvenile Justice Center while protecting an individual’s constitutional rights and providing public access to judicial proceedings.

The Fulton County Juvenile Court will continue to follow public health guidelines in accordance with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Georgia Department of Public Health, and the Fulton County Board of Health. The Fulton County Juvenile Court will also continue to follow any Fulton County Superior Court Orders as issued related to the ongoing COVID-19 health pandemic.

Virtual Hearings
The Juvenile Court will conduct all court hearings virtually via a virtual conferencing platform identified by the court (i.e. Zoom) unless specially set for an in-person hearing by court order, until this order expires or is otherwise modified. Parties and members of the public without access to the internet or without virtual conferencing platform capability, may report to the Fulton County Juvenile Court located at 395 Pryor Street SW in Atlanta, GA 30312 at least 30 (thirty) minutes prior to their scheduled hearing for virtual access to the hearing. The Fulton County Juvenile Court shall utilize the virtual conferencing platform known as Zoom for all virtual hearings unless otherwise indicated in a written notice to the parties. All parties must ensure the ability to access the Zoom platform prior to the time of the hearing to ensure timely access to hearings and to avoid negative consequences due to an untimely appearance or the failure to appear. Each party must conduct a test to assess their connection to the Zoom platform. To test your access to Zoom you may use the link https://zoom.us/test. If the party does not have access to the Zoom platform, then the party must appear in person to the Fulton County Juvenile Court at least thirty (30) minutes prior to the scheduled hearing for timely access,

In-person or Hybrid Hearings
All persons must continuously cover their nose and mouth with a Face Mask, when entering the Juvenile Justice Center and shall continuously wear such face mask while in the public areas of the Juvenile Justice Center. All persons in the Juvenile Justice Center must comply with social distancing, by following signage for social distancing of at least six feet from all other persons while standing or seated in public areas (with the exception of members of the same household and/or those who traveled to court together) to the extent practicable. There SHALL be no group gatherings or obstruction of the entrance or exits of the Juvenile Justice Center. The Fulton County Juvenile Court has hand sanitizer available in designated areas of the courthouse for the safety of all persons. All persons SHALL follow the directives given by Sheriff's Deputies and/or court staff with respect to seating and social distancing. Seating will be permitted in designated areas of the courtroom. When notice is given that the courtroom has met capacity and a non-party requests entry, the presiding judge can provide accommodations to include, but shall not be limited to: entry, viewing remotely,etc. While in the courtroom, all persons must continuously cover their nose and mouth with a face mask, absent further direction by the judge in each courtroom. (ex: while offering testimony, identification or other purposes as permitted by the Court).

To download a copy of the Standing Order: COVID-19 Response, please click the following link: Download Standing Order: COVID-19 Response, In Court Proceedings, Fulton County Juvenile Court

Georgia Department of Public Health, COVID-19 Updates
For the most recent Georgia Department of Health updates on new COVID-19 cases in Georgia please click the following link: Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Updates

Fulton County COVID-19 Vaccination Information
For information on obtaining a Free COVID-19 Vaccine in Fulton County, click the following link: Fulton County COVID-19 Vaccine Information
For information on Free COVID-19 Vaccination Sites in Fulton County, click the following link: Free COVID-19 Vaccination Sites

CDC Quarantine-Isolation Updates, January, 2022
For Information regarding the CDC COVID-19 Quarantine-Isolation Updates, click the following link: CDC COVID-19 Quarantine-Isolation Update

Notice To The Public Regarding Masks, Temperature Screenings and Social Distancing

ALL PERSONS ENTERING THE ROMAE T. POWELL JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A FACE MASK, OR FACIAL COVERING, OVER THEIR NOSE AND MOUTH AT ALL TIMES.

Based on the CDC guidelines ALL employees and visitors to the Romae T. Powell Juvenile Justice Center are required to wear a well-fitting Face Mask or facial covering, over the nose and mouth at all times, while inside of the building. Appropriate masks are N95 masks, KN95 masks, or a disposable surgical mask covered by a cloth mask.

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office will provide a disposable mask to entrants who do not have a face mask or facial covering.

TEMPERATURE SCREENING
In accordance with the Georgia Court Reopening Guide, the Guidelines for Expanded In-Person Proceedings require that everyone entering our court facilities wear a mask or face covering and will be subject to temperature screening using a no-touch thermometer.

Any person who has a confirmed body temperature over 100.0 will be denied entry to the Juvenile Court building and instructed to contact the judge’s chambers or office that they were required to report to so that the hearing or appointment can be rescheduled.

SOCIAL DISTANCING
Upon entering a courtroom, a minimum distance of six-feet must be maintained between individuals who do not reside together to facilitate adequate social distancing. As the courtroom social distancing capacity is limited to 8 to 12 individuals (depending on the size and layout of the courtroom), priority will be given to attorneys, parties, and GAL/CASA subpoenaed witnesses may be allowed to remain outside the courtroom until needed.

COVID-19 Orders

Standing Order: COVID-19 Response, issued by Chief Judge Juliette W. Scales, Fulton County Juvenile Court, on January 28, 2022.

Order Extending Judicial Emergency, issued by Chief Judge Christopher S. Brasher, Fulton County Superior Court, Atlanta Judicial Circuit, on August 27, 2021.

Amended Order Declaring Judicial Emergency, issued by Chief Judge Christopher S. Brasher, Fulton County Superior Court, Atlanta Judicial Circuit, on June 30, 2021.

Modified Judicial Hearing Schedule Order, issued by Chief Presiding Judge Juliette W. Scales, Fulton County Juvenile Court, on June 29, 2021.

Notice of Expected Termination of Statewide Judicial Emergency on June 30 2021, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on June 7, 2021,

Fifteenth Order Extending the Declaration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency to June 30, 2021, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on June 7, 2021.

Fourteenth Order Extending the Declaration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency to June 7, 2021, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on May 8, 2021.

Thirteenth Order Extending the Declaration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency to May 8, 2021, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on April 8, 2021.

Twelfth Order Extending the Declaration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency to April 8, 2021, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on March 9, 2021.

Eleventh Order Extending the Declaration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency to March 9, 2021, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on February 7, 2021.

Tenth Order Extending the Declaration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency to February 7, 2021, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on January 8, 2021.

Ninth Order Extending the Declaration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency to January 8, 2021, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on December 9, 2020.

Eighth Order Extending the Declaration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency to December 9, 2020, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on November 9, 2020.

Seventh Order Extending the Declaration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency to November 9, 2020, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on October 10, 2020.

Sixth Order Extending the Declaration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency to October 10, 2020, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on September 10, 2020.

Fifth Order Extending the Declaration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency to September 10, 2020, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on August 11, 2020.

Fourth Order Extending the Declaration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency to August 11, 2020, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on July 10, 2020.

Executive Order Declaring a Judicial Emergency in Fulton County, issued by the Chief Judge of Fulton County Superior Court, March 13, 2020.

Third Order Extending the Declaration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency to July 12, 2020, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on June 12, 2020.

Second Order Extending the Declaration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency to June 12, 2020, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on May 11, 2020.

Order Extending the Declaration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency to May 13, 2020, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, April 6, 2020.

Amended Order Declaring a Statewide Judicial Emergency, issued by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, March 14, 2020.

Temporary Order Clarifying/Amending Juvenile Court Video Conferencing Rules, issued by the Supreme Court of Georgia, March 31, 2020.

Temporary Remote Notarization and Attestation Order, issued by Governor Brian P. Kemp, April 9, 2020.

Guidelines For Expanding In-Person Proceedings. Pursuant to the Statewide Judicial Emergency Order, The Honorable Christopher S. Brasher, Chief Judge of the Superior Court has issued guidelines to address how limited in-court proceedings will be conducted to protect the health of litigants, lawyers, court personnel, judges, and the public. Parties or attorneys should contact the chambers of the judge assigned to their case if they have any questions or need help to ensure their compliance with these guidelines and the Judicial Emergency Order.