Even though this law has been changed it still leaves the discreation to the Judge. In Jackson County Georgia- I can guarentee that Judge Guidry will find every excuse not to have open court. It will be everything from the court room is to small to all of the items listed below. Parents who have cases in front of him for deprivation need to fight this. Stand up for your rights
Public Access to Deprivation Proceedings in Juvenile Court
Another 2009 bill intended to inject greater transparency is Senate Bill 207 (Act 67), which took effect January
1, 2010. The new law amends O.C.G.A. § 15-11-78 to allow the general public to attend juvenile court child abuse
and neglect proceedings, unless the court closes the proceedings upon a finding on the record and a signed
order as to the reasons for closing the hearing. Grounds for closing a hearing include a finding that (1) the
proceeding involves allegations of a sexual offense, (2) closing the proceeding is in the best interest of the child,
considering the child’s age, the nature of the allegations, and any potential effect of publicity on achieving
reunification of the family, or (3) closing the proceeding is necessary to protect the privacy of a child, caretaker,
or victim of domestic violence. The court may close a proceeding or refuse to admit any person to a hearing upon
its own motion or a motion of any party, including the child. Additionally, the court may refuse to admit any
person to a hearing upon making a finding on the record that the person’s presence would be detrimental to the
best interest of the child, impair the fact-finding process, or otherwise be contrary to the interest of justice. The
court may order the media not to release any identifying information regarding the child, the child’s family, or
foster parents or caregivers and directs that any requests for installation of electronic recording equipment be
made to the court two days in advance of the hearing. Juvenile court records remain sealed, and the bill does not
make changes to current law regarding access to delinquency proceedings.
The new law also includes a provision requiring state and county agencies, including DHS, public schools, and
law enforcement units, to exchange information about a child that may assist with the assessment, treatment,
intervention or rehabilitation of the child, if such information is not already made confidential under law.
