---
title: O.C.G.A. § 15-11-421. Time limitations for filing petition.
collection: code
id: 15-11-421
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 15-11-421 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-11-421
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-11-421.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-11-421/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t15-ch1-11a-(v13)-2020-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=d8a8826c_0#page=1138
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: COURTS / JUVENILE CODE / CHILD IN NEED OF SERVICES / PETITION AND SUMMONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 15-11-421. Time limitations for filing petition.

(a) If a child alleged to be a child in need of services is not released from temporary custody at a continued custody hearing, a petition seeking an adjudication that such child is a child is in need of services shall be filed within five days of such continued custody hearing.

(b) If a child alleged to be a child in need of services was never taken into temporary custody or is released from temporary custody at a continued custody hearing, a petition seeking an adjudication that such child is a child in need of services shall be filed:

(1) Within 30 days of the filing of the complaint with the juvenile court intake officer; or

(2) Within 30 days of such child’s release from temporary custody.

(c) Upon a showing of good cause and notice to all parties, the court may grant a requested extension of time for filing a petition seeking an adjudication that a child is a child in need of services in accordance with the best interests of the child. The court shall issue a written order reciting the facts justifying the extension.

(d) If no petition seeking an adjudication that a child is a child in need of services is filed within the required time frame, the complaint may be dismissed without prejudice.

## History

Code 1981, § 15-11-421, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 294, § 1-1/HB 242.

## Cross References

Amendment to Juvenile Court petition, Uniform Rules for the Juvenile Courts of Georgia, Rule 6.6. Continuance of adjudicatory hearing in Juvenile Court, Uniform Rules for the Juvenile Courts of Georgia, Rule 11.3.

## Law Reviews

For article discussing due process in juvenile court procedures in California and Georgia, in light of In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1, 87 S. Ct. 1428, 18 L. Ed. 2d 527 (1967), see 8 Ga. St. B. J. 9 (1971).