Juvenile Court

Court Information

Newton County Juvenile Court

Location:

Newton County Judicial Center
1132 Usher Street, Room 119
Covington, Georgia 30014

Phone: Direct Line: 770-784-2060
Fax: 770-784-2065

Hours of Operation:

Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Effective October 6, 2023 – Order Regarding Electronic Recording and Use of Cell Phones in the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr., Judicial Center

Effective October 6, 2023 – Pursuant to Uniform Superior Court Rule 22, electronic recording shall not take place in any courtroom of the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr., Judicial Center unless permission is granted by the judge in that courtroom. See the link below for Rule 22 and Request to Record Proceedings.

Cellphones are allowed in the judicial center but must be turned off prior to entering any courtroom and remain off while in the courtroom in order to avoid disruption of court proceedings. Anyone who needs to turn on his or her phone while in the courtroom must ask permission of the judge presiding in that courtroom at that time.

Any person violating this order may be held in contempt and punished by confinement in the county jail for up to 20 days, imposition of a fine up to $1,000.00, or both.

Click the link shown below for a copy of the order entered.

Order Regarding Electronic Recording and Use of Cell Phones in the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr., Judicial Center

Regarding Use of Electronic Devices

Rule 22 – Regarding the use of electronic devices in courtrooms and recording of judicial proceedings has been amended effective May 1, 2018.  Rule 22 and Request to Record Proceedings

Mission, Vision, and Values Statement

Mission
“To protect and enrich the community by redirecting youthful offenders and to ensure the safety and well-being of children, by strengthening families whenever possible.”

Vision
“To help families and communities function in the best interests of children.”

Values
“To conduct court operations with integrity, treating children and families fairly and with compassion.”

Types of Court Cases Handled by Juvenile Court

  • Delinquent/Unruly/Traffic
  • Any crime committed by a child under 17 years of age or any status offense committed by a child under 18 years of age.
  • Dependency
  • Allegation that a child under 18 years of age is without proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or other care or control necessary for the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health or morals.

Cases transferred from other Courts including Temporary Guardianships and contested Divorces cases involving child custody.

Courtroom Conduct

pdf Basic Rules of Court Conduct

  • Proper dress required
  • Shoes required
  • Children must behave
  • Absolutely NO cellular phones or pagers
  • No hats, shorts, skorts, miniskirts, tank tops, tube tops, or undershirts allowed in courtroom
  • No loud talking
  • No profanity

No pocketknives, sharp objects, or weapons (including chemical/defense sprays) of any kind are allowed in the courthouse.

Directions to Juvenile Court

The Judicial Center is located at 1132 Usher Street; it is one block behind the historic Courthouse.

From I-20 East, take Exit 90 (Covington/Oxford).  At the end of the ramp, turn right onto Highway 278.  Follow Highway 278 to Emory Street (Highway 81), and turn right onto Emory Street.  Cross over the railroad tracks, and turn left onto Usher Street.  Turn left into the courthouse parking lot just past the Covington News parking lot.