---
title: O.C.G.A. § 15-11-521. Time limitations for filing petition.
collection: code
id: 15-11-521
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 15-11-521 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-11-521
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-11-521.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/15-11-521/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=1221
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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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
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 / DELINQUENCY / DELINQUENCY PETITION
---

# O.C.G.A. § 15-11-521. Time limitations for filing petition.

(a) If a child is in detention prior to adjudication, a petition alleging delinquency shall be filed not later than 72 hours after the detention hearing. If no petition alleging delinquency is filed within the applicable time, such child shall be released from detention and the complaint shall be dismissed without prejudice. Such petition may be refiled as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section within the statute of limitations.

(b) If a child is not in detention prior to adjudication, a petition alleging delinquency shall be filed within 30 days of the filing of the complaint alleging violation of a criminal law or within 30 days of such child’s release pursuant to a determination that detention is not warranted. Upon a showing of good cause and notice to all parties, the court may grant an extension of time for filing a petition alleging delinquency. The court shall issue a written order reciting the facts justifying any extension.

## History

Code 1981, § 15-11-521, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 294, § 1-1/HB 242.