In the Interest of J. L.
In the Interest of J. L.
Opinion of the Court
The juvenile court adjudicated J. L. delinquent after finding that she had committed acts that would have constituted two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of failing to stop at or return to an accident scene, if the acts had been committed by an adult. On appeal, she challenges the sufficiency of the evidence. Because the evidence was sufficient, we affirm.
In considering a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence supporting an adjudication of delinquency, we view the evidence in favor of the juvenile court’s findings, determining only if a reasonable finder of fact could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that the juvenile committed the acts charged.
According to the state’s witnesses, on June 19, 2005, J. L. drove to the home of her ex-boyfriend and his girlfriend, even though the girlfriend had previously told J. L. not to come to their home. J. L. got out of the car and began talking to a friend outside the residence. The girlfriend repeatedly told J. L. to leave. J. L. eventually got back into
J. L. denied striking her ex-boyfriend with her car and testified that she accidentally struck his girlfriend because she ran in front of her car. She claimed that she fled the scene of necessity because her ex-boyfriend was making threatening gestures at her after her car struck his girlfriend.
“Decisions as to the credibility of witnesses are in the province of the trial court,”
Judgment affirmed.
In the Interest of M. C. A., 263 Ga. App. 770 (589 SE2d 331) (2003); see also Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U. S. 307 (99 SC 2781, 61 LE2d 560) (1979).
In the Interest of R. W, 257 Ga. App. 488, 490 (571 SE2d 485) (2002) (citation and punctuation omitted).
See OCGA §§ 16-5-21 (a) (2) (aggravated assault); 40-6-270 (a) (3) (failure to stop at or return to the scene of an accident injuring a person and render person assistance); In the Interest of R. W., supra.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.