February 2, 1998

Ms. Phyllis L. Harris

Clerk of Juvenile Court

Fayette County Courthouse

200 Courthouse Square

Fayetteville, Georgia 30214-2198

RE:	J.B.G. , a minor child

Dear Ms. Harris:

Enclosed please find the record for the above referenced appeal forwarded to this Court under cover of your letter of January 26, 1998. Your cover letter stated that the appeal would be handled pro se by Mrs. Debbie Gilbert, mother of the juvenile.

Official Code of Georgia Annotated section 15-19-51 prohibits the unauthorized practice of law. Specifically subsection (a)(1) of that section states that it shall be unlawful for any person other than a duly licensed attorney at law to practice or appear as an attorney at law for any person other than himself in any court of this State or before any judicial body. Unless Mrs. Gilbert is a member in good standing of the State Bar of Georgia, or is an attorney licensed to practice in the highest court of another State and his permission to appear by courtesy, she will not be permitted to represent the juvenile in this Court.

Because of the Constitutional requirement that this Court disposes of every case within two terms, we are not docketing this case because Mrs. Gilbert will not be allowed to represent the juvenile and once we docket the case a brief and enumeration of errors will be due within 20 days and failure to file same could cause the appeal to be dismissed.

If you have any questions about this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

William L. Martin, III

Administrator/Clerk

Court of Appeals of Georgia

WLM , III/ld

Enclosures

cc:	Mary Jo Stephens