Welcome to Fulton County Juvenile Court’s Traffic Diversion Program. We understand the importance of accountability and responsibility when it comes to teen driving behaviors. In response to this, we have developed a program aimed at empowering youth to take ownership of their actions while providing them the opportunity to avoid fines and points on their driver’s licenses.
Our program offers a pathway for teens to preserve their driving record, an educational opportunity and opportunity for rehabilitation through a series of requirements, including completing an accredited Defensive Driving course, engaging in 10 hours of court-appointed community service, and submitting an essay reflecting on their journey through the court process.
Upon successful completion of the program, participants will have no points assessed and their fine will be reduced. We are committed to promoting safe driving habits and fostering personal growth among the youth in our community.
Advantages:
- Educational Opportunity: Participants have the chance to complete a Defensive Driving course, which provides valuable education on safe driving practices and traffic laws. This education can help participants become more knowledgeable and responsible drivers.
- Community Engagement: Engaging in court-approved community service allows participants to give back to the community while also learning the importance of civic responsibility. This involvement fosters a sense of connection and belonging within the community.
- Personal Reflection: Writing an essay on what has led them to the court process encourages participants to reflect on their actions, decisions, and consequences thereof. This introspection can lead to personal growth, self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of the impact of their behavior on themselves and others.
- Preservation of Driving Record: Successful completion of the program ensures that no points are assessed to the participant’s driver’s license. This helps to maintain a clean driving record, which can prevent potential increases in insurance premiums and future consequences for additional traffic violations.
- Opportunity for Rehabilitation: For youth who have made mistakes, the program is in line with the Court’s mission and offers a chance for rehabilitation and redirection toward more responsible behavior. It emphasizes accountability while also providing support and resources to help participants make positive changes in their lives.
Program Requirements:
Administrative Fee
All participants must pay an administrative fee of $150, payable by cash (in person), money order or cashier’s check. All payments are accepted at or can be mailed to:
Fulton County Juvenile Court
Attention: Accounting
395 Pryor Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30312
Defensive Driving
You must take an accredited Virtual Defensive Driving course and submit a certificate of completion to receive credit.
The court routinely refers youth to the Alive at 25 Driver Safety Program. You can register for the course at this link https://www.miltonfirstresponders.org/alive-at-25.html.
Community Service
You must complete 10 hours of community-based volunteer service with a non-profit or community-based organization. The United Way provides volunteer projects on its website https://unitedwayatlanta.org/upcoming-volunteer-projects/.
You must document your community service hours on the Community Service Log. You may download the log here.
Instructions:
- Organization: Please write the name of the non-profit organization where you performed community service. This could be the name of the agency or group hosting the volunteer project.
- Activity: Describe the specific volunteer activity or task you completed during your community service hours. Be detailed and specific regarding the nature of your contributions.
- Hours: Record the number of hours you spent engaged in the volunteer activity. Please ensure accuracy in documenting the total number of hours.
- Authorized Signature: After completing your community service hours, obtain the signature of an authorized representative from the non-profit organization. This individual should be someone responsible for supervising or coordinating volunteer activities.
Court Essay
You will be required to view a self-paced video regarding how to make better choices, instead of making the same mistakes again.
The youth is required to submit a 2-page essay to the Court on the following:
- What lessons have you learned from the video and this experience?
- How are you going to apply what you learned?
- What led to your interaction with the Court?
- How has your court involvement/case impacted your life?
- How will this experience affect your future decisions?
Please note that all papers must have your name on them in the upper right-hand corner and meet the following guidelines:
- Original, typed, and well-written
- Times New Roman 12-point font
- Double spaced
- Minimum of two full pages
If you qualify and want to participate in the diversion program, you must select the diversion option on the Rights of Child Appearing to Answer Traffic Charges form and return the same via email to [email protected] before your traffic hearing date. You may download the Rights of Child Appearing to Answer Traffic Charges form here.
If you have any questions regarding any of the above or the Traffic Diversion program in general, please contact [email protected].
