COURTS.US

Georgia's state Supreme Court is located in the capital city of Atlanta and has seven justices elected to six-year terms in nonpartisan, statewide elections. Having general appellate jurisdiction over many types of cases, it is the state's court of last resort . The high court has exclusive appellate jurisdiction in cases of election contest and questions of constitutionality of law.

The Court of Appeals is located in the State Judicial Building in Atlanta and is comprised of twelve judges elected by the people to six-year terms. The appellate court has jurisdiction of all appeals except questions involving constitutionality, land title disputes, wills, murder, election contests, habeas corpus, extraordinary remedies, divorce/alimony, and cases where the original appellate jurisdiction is under the superior courts.

The Superior Court is Georgia's trial court of general jurisdiction. Each county seat has its own Superior Court. The state's 49 judicial circuits are composed of from one to eight counties and are organized into 10 districts.

State Courts have countywide jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic cases, and any civil actions where the Superior Court does not have exclusive jurisdiction. They can hear applications for search and arrest warrants and can hold preliminary hearings.

Magistrate Courts have jurisdiction over civil claims up to $15,000, certain minor criminal offenses including county ordinance violations, preliminary hearings, and warrants.

Juvenile Courts have original jurisdiction of delinquent children and concurrent jurisdiction with Superior Courts in felony, parental rights, child custody and support cases.

County Probate Courts have jurisdiction over the probate of wills, estate administration, guardianship appointments, and involuntary hospitalization.

Municipal Courts of incorporated cities and towns try local ordinance violations, and may conduct preliminary hearings and issue criminal warrants. Muni courts may have concurrent jurisdiction over shoplifting offenses and cases of marijuana possession of one ounce or less.

State Supreme Court

Georgia Supreme Court
 

Appellate Court

Court of Appeals of Georgia
 

Superior Courts

Superior Court of Georgia

Districts and Circuits
 

State Courts

Bibb County State Court

Chatham County State Court

Clayton County State Court

Cobb County State Court

Coweta County State Court

Dekalb County State Court

Fulton County State Court

Gwinnett County State Court
 

Magistrate Courts

Magistrate Courts by County
 

Georgia Juvenile Courts

Cherokee County Juvenile Court

Clayton County Juvenile Court

Cobb County Juvenile Court

Dekalb County Juvenile Court

Douglas County Juvenile Court

Fulton County Juvenile Court

Gwinnett County Juvenile Court

Whitfield County Juvenile Court
 

Probate Courts

Probate Court Information

Probate Court Websites
 

Municipal Courts

Municipal Court Websites
 

Electronic Filing

E-filing Information
 

Related Links

Georgia Official State Website
State Government
State Judicial Page
Judicial Branch of Georgia
Georgia Attorney General
State Bar Association
more » above, in right-hand column