Troup County Juvenile Court
118 Ridley Avenue
LaGrange, Georgia 30240
Phone: 706-883-1735
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00p.m.
Judge R. Michael Key
Brenda Royster – Court Administrator/Intake Officer
Michelle Bowman – Assistant Court Administrator/Intake Officer
Shelia Matthews – Chief Probation Officer/Intake Officer
Nicole Kostial – Lead Probation Officer/Intake Officer
Latasha Session – Probation Officer/Intake Officer
Dionne Williams-Smith – Probation Officer/Intake Officer
Tracey Lester – Custody Worker/Intake Officer
Gail Towns – Clerk- of Court/Administrative Secretary
Martha Henderson – part time clerical staff
Lauren Bowen – Guardian Ad Litem
Juvenile Court has jurisdiction involving delinquent, unruly and traffic cases when the youth is under the age of 17 years and custody cases alleging deprivation under the age of 18 years. Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over offenses of murder, voluntary
manslaughter, rape, aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual
battery and armed robbery with a firearm if the youth is 13 or older. The Superior Court
has the discretion to decline prosecution and a petition may be filed in Juvenile Court.
Troup County has an independent court under the guidelines of the Troup County Board
Of Commissioner’s county policies and under the jurisdiction of a part time Juvenile
Court judge.
Court hearings are scheduled every Monday P.M. and Thursday P.M. for detention hearings. Custody cases are heard every second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
Delinquent cases are heard every third Tuesday. Arraignment is held the first Monday
of each month.
All probation cases are reviewed on the first Tuesday of each month by the Judge. Each case is reviewed for adequate progress of the probationer and accountability of the probation officer.
The Lead Probation Officer does pre-court investigations on youth prior to the court
hearing. Recommendations are made to the Court for probation, hold on disposition
or for abeyances. If a youth is placed on abeyance, the lead probation officer monitors
the case.
Troup County Juvenile Court has 19 volunteers who serve on Citizens Review
Panels. These citizens are required to have a legal background check and an initial 15 hours of training and 5 additional hours each year. The panel reviews cases where legal custody of children is granted to the Department of Family and Children Services. Recommendations are made to the Judge in the best interest of these children.
Troup County Juvenile Court has a full time Guardian Ad Litem for children involved in
deprivation cases. This attorney interviews children, foster parents, school personnel,
counselors and psychologists prior to the court hearings and makes recommendations
in the best interest of the children.
Troup County Juvenile Court initiated Drug Court for custody cases in February, 2007.
A treatment team, consisting of the Judge, court staff, CASA, DFCS, Guardian Ad Litem,
attorneys for the parents and counselors providing treatment for the parents meet prior to the Drug Court. The treatment team evaluates progress of the parents and makes recommendations for treatment changes. The Judge may impose sanctions for the parents who do not follow the treatment plan or the Judge may provide incentives for parents who continue to be drug free and for following the treatment plan.
All delinquent, unruly and deprivation actions are initiated into the court system through
a legal document called the complaint form. A majority of complaints are filed by law
enforcement. Other complaints may be filed by citizens after being interviewed by the