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General

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1. Where can I find information about my case status?

For more information please visit the Online Judicial System website for DeKalb County DA, GA.

2. Where is the DeKalb County Courthouse located?

The DeKalb County Courthouse is located at:
DeKalb County Courthouse
DeKalb County District Attorney's Office
556 North McDonough St.
7th Floor
Decatur, GA 30030
Map

Ph: (404) 371-2561
Fx: (404) 371-2981
Email

3. Where can I find helpful information about victim assistance, legal assistance, 12-Step programs, and more?

View the DeKalb County DA helpful resources section to find out more information and contact numbers for the State of Georgia, elder abuse, 12-Step programs and addiction, and more.

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Juvenile Court

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1. How long will court be?

Juvenile Court proceedings are one day. However, certain cases may be continued to another date for different reasons. The District Attorney’s Office will try to notify you if we know of any changes ahead of time.

2. What can I expect in the courtroom?

Juvenile Court is closed to the public. When you testify, you will be sworn in and attorneys for the State and defendant will ask questions. Appropriate dress is required in Juvenile Court.

3. As a victim, do I need an attorney?

No. In a criminal / delinquent matter the District Attorney’s Office, on behalf of the victim and the State, proceeds on the charges against the individual who committed the act against you.

4. Will I have to see the defendant?

You will see the defendant only if the case goes to an Adjudicatory Hearing (trial). The District Attorney’s Office provides a separate waiting area for victims and witnesses.

5. What other options do I have to collect restitution?

You may inquire with a private attorney about your options in civil court to collect from the parents of the defendant

6. What happens if I am unable to appear on the date that is on my subpoena?

Please call our office as soon as possible. The sooner you call the better chance we have of resetting the case in which you are involved. If you have a problem on the day of court, call the office so that we may speak to the Judge on your behalf and possibly reset the case.

It is very important that you contact this office with any change of address or phone number.

If you wish to file a complaint against a juvenile or file a runaway or ungovernable petition, you must come to the DeKalb Juvenile Court Intake area. The Juvenile Court is responsible for the complaint filing process, and will determine whether a case is referred to the District Attorney's Office for formal prosecution.

Ph: (404) 294-2720
Fx: (404) 294-2710

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Pre-Trial Diversion

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1. What is the Pre-Trial Diversion Program?

The Pre-Trial Diversion Program is a program that was developed by DeKalb County District Attorney Gwendolyn Keyes Fleming designed to provide first time-non violent offenders an opportunity to rehabilitate themselves through various corrective programs.

2. How long does the program last?

The program lasts for a minimum of 6 months.

3. Are there fees involved in the Diversion program?

Yes. There is a one time administration fee, a monthly probation fee, and weekly fees for the course that you are required to take. However, the program does allow the defendants to have these fees paid in full over the 6 month period.

4. Do I need a lawyer?

Yes. You must have counsel present with you at the orientation session. If you do not have private counsel, one will be appointed to you by the public defender’s office.

5. Do I have to participate in the Diversion program once I have been extended an invitation?

No. The program is strictly voluntary.

6. What happens if I do not participate in the Diversion program?

Your case will be forwarded to an Assistant District Attorney in our office for possible prosecution.

7. Do I have to be working to participate in the Diversion program?

All participants must be working or in school.

8. Is there community service involved in the program?

Yes. The amount of community service is set by the Assistant District Attorney.

9. What happens at the end of the 6 months if I successfully complete the program?

Your charges will be dismissed and you can file to have your arrest record expunged.

10. Can I participate in the program if I have other charges on my record?

The program does not accept any defendants who have prior criminal convictions.

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UIFSA

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1. What services are offered by the DeKalb County District Attorney's UIFSA division?

Establishment, Enforcement and Modification of child support orders for DeKalb County residents who have a non-custodial/absent parent living in another state with a duty to provide support or a court ordered child support obligation. The office handles Inter-state cases only.
The office also receives petitions from custodial parents living in another state with a non-custodial/absent parent living in DeKalb County.

For information about child support services for in-state cases, DeKalb County Residents with a non-custodial/absent parent living in DeKalb county or elsewhere in the State of Georgia may contact:
(404)921-1490
Or you may go to the local office child support office at: 2910 Miller Road, Suite 100, Decatur, Georgia 30034

2. What do I need to open a UIFSA case to establish a child support order?

A certified copy of the birth certificate for the child or children
The Social Security Number for the child or children for whom the order is to be established.
A home address for the non-custodial/absent parent.
$25.00 Application Fee required by the State of Georgia. The fee is waived if you are receiving TANF benefits.
Completed UIFSA petition

You may contact the Office of the District Attorney UIFSA division to get an Orientation packet which includes the UIFSA petition that you must complete. The petition will be sent, along with the documents listed above, to the non-custodial/absent parent's state. The packet will also include a date and time for you to come to the office for Orientation.
The contact number is (404) 687-3836.

3. When and where are the Orientation meetings scheduled?

Orientations are held each Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. at the Office of the District Attorney, UIFSA Division
One West Court Square
Suite 450
Decatur, Georgia 30030

4. What if I do not have a home address for the non-custodial / absent parent?

The UIFSA division can assist with locating absent parents. There is a $25.00 fee required by the State of Georgia for that service. The fee is waived if you are receiving TANF benefits. Locating the non-custodial/absent parent is most effective when you provide the Social Security number for that person. Without the Social Security number, locating the non-custodial/absent parent may be difficult.

5. What do I need to open a UIFSA case if I already have a child support order?

A certified copy of the support order
A home address for the non-custodial/absent parent
$25.00 Application fee required by the State of Georgia Completed UIFSA petition.
Click here for the UIFSA petition.
An Arrears Affidavit detailing child support payments received, if past due child support is owed.

You may contact the UIFSA division to arrange to receive a UIFSA petition for completion and an Orientation date by calling (404) 687-3836.

6. What do I need to request Modification of an existing child support order?

To Modify a Georgia Child Support Order a written request and a completed 24.2 Financial Affidavit are required. Additional financial information may be required after review of those documents. If there is no existing UIFSA case, a $25.00 fee will be required if the requesting party does not receive TANF benefits.
Click here for the 24.2 Financial Affidavit.
To Modify an Out of State child support order, a completed UIFSA petition including the Uniform Petition and General Testimony and a certified copy of the child support order are required. If there is no existing UIFSA case, a $25.00 fee will be required if the requesting party does not receive TANF benefits. For the UIFSA petition, click here...

7. How long does the process take?

Once the completed packet is received, it is sent to the state where the non-custodial/absent parent lives no later than 20 days after the packet is received in the UIFSA office. It is then processed by that Central Registry in that State and forwarded to the child support office in the city where the non-custodial/absent parent lives. The petition is filed with the Court. The non-custodial/absent parent must be properly served for a petition to establish child support. The non-custodial/absent parent must receive notice in cases where a support order already exists. Once the case has been properly filed, the non-custodial/absent parent properly served or noticed as required, then the case will be set for hearing. Depending upon the time for service, availability of court dates, whether there is an objection, continuance or other extenuating circumstance, the process may take minimally 6-12 months from the time the petition is completed until an order is obtained.

8. How will I receive the child support payments?

Payments are made to the Family Support Registry (FSR). The payments are disbursed within 24 hours of receipt by Direct Deposit into your checking or savings account or by electronic transfer to the EPPI card. The EPPI card is a bank card that may be used as any ATM card. The Office of the District Attorney does not collect or process payments.
For payment information:

Payment information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at:
Online on the case payments/check screen at the Constituent Services Portal. Click Here to visit the Constituent Portal.
1-800-227-7993 (OCSS Hotline)
If payments do not show from the above sources, a payment has not been received.

9. How can I get information about my case status?

You may contact the Office of the District Attorney UIFSA division at (404) 687-3836. You may also get on-line information from the Constituent Portal.Click Here to visit the Constituent Portal. You will need an identification number (IRN). This number will be sent to you after Orientation. Information about the Constituent Portal and how to access it will be given to you at Orientation.

10. What kind of enforcement action can be taken if no child support payments are received?

The Office of the District Attorney UIFSA division has many enforcement actions available including automatic wage withholding, drivers and professional license suspension, Federal tax refund and lottery intercept, passport denial, referral to credit bureaus and collection agencies. Motions for Contempt may be filed when all other enforcement actions have failed.

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Victim Witness Assistance Program

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1. What is the status of my case?

You may check the On-Line Judicial System at the OJS link below. Enter the site and choose the best description of you from the drop down menu. When the system opens, click on the second tab at the top for Criminal Case Search. You can search by entering the case number that either starts with a D or has a CR in the middle of it (police report case numbers will not work) into the Case ID section. You may also search by name in the appropriate fields. To access OJS, click here...

2. How do I get a Temporary Restraining Order?

Please go to the section on Protective Orders for detailed directions. Protective Orders...

3. How long with the process take?

A case can move through the system very quickly. However, most cases will take at least 6 months to appear on a court calendar. Many cases will take longer depending on the complexity of the legal issues and parties involved. To see a diagram of how the works and all the steps in processing a case, please click here...

4. The Judge ordered restitution, how do I get my money?

Once a felony case is closed by conviction, the defendant is under the monitoring authority of the Department of Corrections. Any payments of restitution, fines, and fees will be collected by that department and distributed according to the law. There is post-sentencing victim services through the Office of Victim Services within the Department of Corrections and the State Board of Pardons and Parole, please use the following numbers: Toll Free: 1-(800) 593-9474, Local (404) 651-6668 to make contact and get more detailed information. The following is contact information to probation/parole offices within DeKalb County.

For offenders on probation, the contact information for Department of Corrections – Central DeKalb Probation Office is:

Central DeKalb Probation
547 Church Street
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 370-5113

The local parole office will have authority over inmates who are granted parole (shortened prison sentence) by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, please contact them at:

DeKalb Parole Office
2910 Miller Road, Suite 150
Decatur, GA 30035
(770) 593-5650

5. What if I want a case dismissed?

For information about our policy, please go to Requesting a Dismissal...

6. When does the District Attorney’s Office get involved in my case?

Typically when the case is transferred from Magistrate Court. To see a diagram of how a case is processed through the Criminal Justice System, please click on the Criminal Justice Process link here...

7. Do I have to come to court?

You will be notified about when to come to court.

8. How do I get there if I don’t have a way?

Call your Victim Advocate. We will work with you on making arrangements.