Georgia Teenagers Arrested in Arson Case in Clayton County

Two teenagers are facing charges connected with a fire that destroyed a vacant building in an apartment complex in Clayton County. 

According to reports, there were witnesses that saw what they described as suspicious activity involving two juveniles in the complex before the fire started. The Clayton County Fire Marshal's Office and Clayton County police have joined their investigations and have currently determined that the two teenage suspects are connected to the fire.

Both teenagers have been released to their families. Their cases will be followed up with in Georgia Juvenile Court. Although the consequences faced by the two teenagers are serious, as Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney, I will outline even more serious consequences faced by minors in the state of Georgia. There are certain crimes that Superior Courts, not Juvenile Courts, have exclusive jurisdiction over for juveniles. 

Exclusive Jurisdiction in Georgia

The Georgia Code lists out the offenses in O.C.G.A. § 15-11-560:

• Murder in Georgia
• Voluntary Manslaughter in Georgia
• Rape in Georgia 
• Aggravated Sodomy in Georgia
• Aggravated Child Molestation in Georgia
• Aggravated Sexual Battery in Georgia
• Armed Robbery in Georgia
• Aggravated Battery in Georgia.

If a juvenile has been arrested or accused of committing any of the above offenses, then they face the risk of being tried as an adult in a Superior Court of Georgia. 

Practice Note

If your child has been arrested in Georgia, contact our offices today. It is imperative that if a juvenile is facing the possibility of being tried in Georgia Superior Court as an adult that they have the help of a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer. We specialize in Georgia Criminal Defense including Georgia Juvenile Laws.