Explains the Georgia laws that have the greatest impact on teenagers, with the aim of reducing the number of youth charged with serious crimes and also avoiding future tragedies from the actions of juvenile delinquents. Major discussion is given to: (1) the School Safety and Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 1994, including students’ rights, activities prohibited in a school safety zone, and the concept of zero tolerance; (2) juvenile court, including a description of delinquent children’s rights and their process through the system; (3) parental notification; (4) traffic laws, with an emphasis on driver education and training; (5) driving under the influence, or D.U.I., and associated penalties; (6) alcohol, and the consequences of consuming, purchasing, or possessing alcoholic beverages; (7) employment and associated protections for young people; (8) marriage, including parental consent and exceptions; (9) education and age of attendance; (10) parental power in such situations as divorce; and (11) crimes relating to sexual offenses, including definitions of and penalties associated with rape, statutory rape, aggravated sodomy, sexual battery, public indecency, child molestation, and aggravated child molestation as well as sexual exploitation of children and incest.
