Georgia's Court System

Georgia’s Court System Few people are familiar with the basic functions and responsibilities of the state’s courts. Different courts are set up to do different things. Cases are heard based on the subject matter jurisdiction they are given. The Georgia court system consists of five classes of trial level courts: the magistrate, probate, juvenile, state and superior courts. There are also approximately 370 municipal courts. There are two appellate courts: the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. All 159 counties have a magistrate, probate, superior, and juvenile court. Magistrate courts are county courts that hear minor criminal offenses and civil claims involving amounts of $15,000 or less and issue warrants. Magistrate court is the first resort for many civil disputes that may include bad checks, county ordinance violations, landlord/tenant cases, and dispossessories/evictions. In criminal matters magistrates hold preliminary hearings; issue search warrants to law enforcement and also warrants for the arrest of a particular person. No jury trials are held in magistrate court. Rather than by an attorney, civil cases are often argued by the person themselves. The chief magistrate is either elected or appointed in each county. Other magistrates are appointed by the chief magistrate. Wills and the administration of estates of the deceased are designated to the probate court of each county. Authorization to order involuntary hospitalization of an individual is made by the judge in probate court. Probate courts issue marriage licenses and licenses to carry firearms. Traffic violations and certain misdemeanors can also be heard in probate court if there is no state court in the county. Many probate judges are authorized to serve as the county elections supervisor. They also make appointments to certain local public offices and administer oaths of office. The probate judge must be a licensed attorney who has practiced law for seven years in counties where the