Mediation

							                                                                                      WHAT IS
                                                                                    DEPRIVATION
This pamphlet will tell you:                                                        MEDIATION?
      the purpose of
    deprivation mediation

       who is involved

    why mediation can be
        a better way to
     resolve a deprivation
             case




      MEDIATION FOR                            Juvenile Court of Cobb County
    DELINQUENCY CASES                          1738 County Services Parkway, S.W.
     IS NOT DISCUSSED                               Marietta, GA 30008-4028
     IN THIS PAMPHLET.
                                                       Hours of operation:
                                                 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday

                                                    For General Information:
                                                     Mediation Coordinator
**THIS PAMPHLET IS INTENDED TO OFFER GENERAL            (770) 528-2275
INFORMATION ONLY. IT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS
LEGAL ADVICE.
     THE DEPRIVATION                           THE ADVANTAGES OF                           WHO IS PRESENT AT A
    MEDIATION PROGRAM                              MEDIATION                                 DEPRIVATION
                                                                                           MEDIATION SESSION
   Mediation is an opportunity for           YOU get to be directly involved in
    families to work out their issues          the outcome.                               YOU!
    and form agreements without
    having to go before a judge.              All parties have the chance to tell        Mediator – a neutral, impartial
                                               their side of the story                     person to lead discussion and offer
   In a mediation hearing, you will sit                                                   possible solutions
    down with the other parties               The purpose of mediation in the
                                               place of a formal court hearing is         DFACS – if the state is bringing the
    involved in your case, including
                                               to avoid blame and to create the            charge of deprivation against the
    DFACS, relatives and attorneys.
                                               best possible cooperative solution.         parent
    You will discuss the situation and
    try to come to an agreement.                                                          Attorneys – only if the parties want
                                              Both your needs and your child’s            their attorneys present, attorneys
   A mediator will lead the session           needs are considered in a mediation         are not required
    and will guide discussions, answer         hearing.
    questions, and offer solutions.                                                       Relatives
                                              Nobody will order you to do
       NOTE: Mediators do not offer           something you have not agreed to           Other people involved in the case
        legal advice.                          do.                                         when the parties invite them.
                                                                                          Guardian ad litem and/or CASA
   The session is informal and                   NOTE: if an agreement is not            that represent the children's best
    confidential.                                  reached in mediation, the case is       interest.
                                                   not dropped; it will proceed
 Any agreement made in mediation                  before a judge.                        NOTE: children do not attend the
    is presented to a judge, who can                                                       mediation sessions unless requested by
    make that agreement an official           Because you are reaching decisions          the court or guardian ad litem.
    order of the Court.                        together, parties are able to trust
                                               each other.

                                              Because you have made an
                                               agreement, the outcome is likely to
                                               be supported by all the                          MEDIATION FOR
                                               participants.                                 DELINQUENCY CASES
                                                                                               IS NOT DISCUSSED
                                                                                              IN THIS PAMPHLET.