Although legislative changes to the juvenile code have helped some teen offenders, public defenders hope legislators will consider another change in the criminal code. The Hall County Office of the Public Defender recently asked legislators to add a “Romeo and Juliet” exemption to the charges of aggravated sexual battery, aggravated child molestation and aggravated sodomy. Such an exemption would make those crimes a misdemeanor, rather than a felony, in some circumstances, such as a case in which a 17-year-old was charged with aggravated sexual battery against a 14- or 15-year-old.
Defenders ask legislators for juvenile law changes
Public defenders office wants Romeo and Juliet exemption to be added to other charges
