Houston County Magistrate Court
Time
Working Hours:
Hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday: closed
Sunday: closed
Connect with a Attorney
Magistrate Court Houston County
Overview of the court system in Houston County
Houston County, located in central Georgia, has a three-tiered court system like most counties in the state. At the lowest level is Magistrate Court, followed by State Court, Superior Court, and finally the Georgia Court of Appeals and Supreme Court at the highest level. Magistrate Court handles minor civil claims and criminal matters, while more serious cases go to the higher courts.
What is a magistrate court and its role
A magistrate court is a lower level court that deals with minor civil disputes and criminal offenses. In Houston County, magistrate court handles civil claims of $15,000 or less. For criminal cases, it has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic violations, and ordinance violations. Magistrate courts play an important role in maintaining justice and keeping minor issues from clogging up the higher courts. The magistrate judge in Houston County is Judge J. Matthew Brown.
Types of Cases Handled
The court’s jurisdiction extends to a wide array of cases, including:
Civil Cases: This encompasses a broad range of disputes between individuals or entities, such as contract disagreements, personal injury claims, and property disputes.
Misdemeanor and Deposit Account Fraud (Bad Check) Cases: The court deals with cases involving misdemeanor offenses and fraudulent check issues.
Ordinance Violation Cases: Any violations of local ordinances and regulations within Houston County fall under the purview of this court.
Jurisdiction and Powers of Magistrate Court
Civil claims
As mentioned above, the Houston County Magistrate Court has jurisdiction over civil claims seeking damages of $15,000 or less. This includes claims related to consumer disputes, landlord-tenant disputes, property damage, and small contract claims. Plaintiffs can file their complaint to initiate the case in magistrate court rather than superior court for these small claims matters.
Criminal matters
In criminal law, Houston County Magistrate Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic offenses like DUI or speeding, and county or city ordinance violations. Misdemeanors are crimes punishable by fine or jail term of 12 months or less. Felony cases get transferred to superior court.
Search and arrest warrants
Magistrate judges can also issue search warrants and arrest warrants based on probable cause. Law enforcement presents an affidavit and request a warrant from the magistrate judge if they believe evidence of a crime may be found in a certain location or a certain person committed an offense.
Magistrate Court Proceedings
Filing a civil claim
To file a civil claim in Magistrate Court Houston County, the plaintiff begins by filing a statement of claim and paying the filing fee. They must provide their name and address, the defendant’s name and address, the reason for the claim, and the amount of damages sought. The court then opens a case and sends the defendant a summons. The case may proceed to mediation first before going to trial.
Criminal cases process
For criminal cases, the magistrate court operates in similar fashion to other courts. Police arrest suspects and the District Attorney files charges. Defendants can plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest at arraignment. Cases may settle through plea bargains or go to trial. After trial, the judge determines guilt and penalties like fines or jail time if guilty. Defendants can appeal.
Types of hearings
Magistrate court holds different types of hearings including arraignments, motion hearings, bench or jury trials, and sentencing hearings. For civil cases, it may hold hearings on requests for summary judgment when one party believes no facts are disputed. The judge listens to both sides at hearings, accepts evidence, and makes rulings.
Costs and Fees in Magistrate Court
Filing fees
To file a civil claim in Houston County Magistrate Court, the plaintiff must pay a filing fee around $50-$80 depending on the amount disputed. For landlords filing dispossessory actions against tenants, the fee is $81. Some plaintiffs may qualify for a fee waiver based on low income. There are also fees for filing garnishment actions, appeals, and applying for a warrant.
Other costs
Litigants incur other costs beyond filing fees, such as fees for serving the other party with court documents or subpoenaing witnesses. Costs add up if the case goes through lengthy proceedings, motions, hearings, and trial. Parties may have to pay attorney’s fees as well. However, costs are still lower than higher level courts.
Appealing Decisions of Magistrate Court
Appeals process
Litigants who lose in Magistrate Court can appeal the decision to State or Superior Court. The notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days of the judgment along with payment of the appeal costs. The case will then get a new trial before the higher court judge rather than just a review of the magistrate’s decision.
Grounds for appeal
One can appeal based on legal errors made by the magistrate judge regarding issues like jurisdiction or application of the law. A party can also appeal based on the argument that the judgment is unsupported by the facts or evidence presented at trial. New evidence can be presented to the higher court.
Houston County Magistrate Court Online Court Resources
Accessing Court Case Records
Search court case records
One of the most significant advantages of modern technology is the ease of accessing court records. The Houston County Magistrate Court offers several online resources to make this process efficient and accessible:
- Houston County Magistrate Court Civil Case Records: Search for civil case records online, providing transparency and easy access to legal information.
- Misdemeanor and Deposit Account Fraud (Bad Check) Case Records: Find information on misdemeanor and bad check cases, aiding both legal professionals and the general public in understanding court proceedings.
- Ordinance Violation Case Records: Access records related to ordinance violation cases, ensuring accountability within the community.
Legal Opinions and Forms
Attorney General Legal Opinions
The Georgia Attorney General’s office plays a vital role in providing legal opinions. Access official and unofficial legal opinions, a valuable resource for understanding the legal landscape in Georgia.
Forms and Related Information
Legal processes often involve various forms and paperwork. The Magistrate Court provides access to essential forms, simplifying legal procedures. Additionally, interactive online forms are available to help generate complete forms for filing in Georgia Magistrate Courts, making the process even more user-friendly.
Online Fine Payments
Pay Super-Speeder and Failure to Appear Fines
For those facing fines related to Super-Speeder or Failure to Appear violations, the Georgia Department of Driver Services offers a convenient online payment platform. This streamlines the payment process, requiring only the transaction ID, driver’s license number, and date of birth from the notice sent by the Department.
Self-Help and Legal Research
Houston County Magistrate Court Information and Electronic Filing
Navigating the legal system can be complex, but the Magistrate Court simplifies it by offering online resources. These include information about small claims, liens and foreclosures, landlord-tenant cases, and more. You can even file small claims and landlord-tenant claims online, complete with detailed instructions and fee information.
Magistrate Court Cases and Procedure
Understanding the court’s procedures is essential. This section provides valuable insights into the types of cases handled, how to file a claim, notifying the defendant, hearings, judgments, appeals, and collecting awards.
Magistrate Court Information
To further assist in understanding the judicial process, instructional videos about Georgia Magistrate Courts are available for viewing.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Resolving Disputes Without Going to Court
Disputes can often be resolved outside the courtroom through mediation, arbitration, and neutral evaluation. This section provides links to frequently asked questions, local programs searchable by county or name, and a roster of registered neutrals searchable by various criteria.
Child Support Services
Ensuring Child Support
The Georgia Division of Child Support Services offers a comprehensive range of services related to child support. You can find application forms, online customer service, answers to frequently asked questions, and information about paternity, child support, case status, payment, enforcement, non-custodial parents, and interstate cases.
Court Rules and Foreclosure Prevention
Rules and Resources for the Court
Access the Uniform Rules for Superior, State, Juvenile, Magistrate, Probate, and Municipal Courts. Additionally, find resources for preventing foreclosure in Georgia, including steps to take, local housing counseling agencies, state and national programs, scam avoidance, workshops, publications, and links to legal aid providers.
Georgia Accountability Courts
Providing Treatment Programs
Georgia offers Accountability Courts, such as Drug Courts, DUI Courts, Juvenile Drug Courts, Family Dependency Treatment Courts, Mental Health Courts, and Veterans Courts. These courts aim to provide treatment programs instead of incarceration for some offenders. You can access directories, individual Accountability Court websites, calendars, and sample forms in this section.
Expungement of Georgia Criminal Records
Clearing Your Record
If you have concerns about your arrest records, this section provides a step-by-step instruction sheet for obtaining an expungement of Georgia arrest records.
Landlord-Tenant Information
Understanding Tenant Rights
Access the Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook, a valuable resource for both landlords and tenants to understand their rights and responsibilities.
Victim Compensation and DUI Programs
Supporting Victims and Offenders
The Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council offers information about crime victim compensation, DUI Risk Reduction Programs, and Defensive Driving Programs, which can result in dismissed charges or reduced points and insurance premiums for some offenders. Links to approved schools are included.
Georgia Laws and Consumer Protection
Legal Resources
Search the Official Code of Georgia by keyword or browse by table of contents. The Georgia Department of Law Consumer Protection Unit provides information about consumer topics, consumer education, tips about scams, and instructions and forms for filing a consumer complaint.
Legal Aid and Attorney Services
Finding Legal Assistance
Find organizations offering free legal services, recent attorney discipline records, the Georgia Attorney Directory, and information about the Georgia Legal Services Program, which provides free civil legal help for low-income residents. Additionally, discover how to choose a lawyer and access fee arbitration services.
Military Legal Help
Legal Assistance for Service Members
The State Bar of Georgia Military Legal Assistance Program provides free or low-cost civil legal services to service members and veterans. An application form is included for those in need of assistance.
Conclusion
In summary, Magistrate Court in Houston County plays an important role in handling minor civil disputes and criminal offenses locally. The magistrate judge deals with civil claims under $15,000 and misdemeanor crimes, traffic violations, and ordinance violations on the criminal side. Parties unsatisfied with the outcome can appeal the decision to the higher courts in the county court system. Despite handling smaller scale cases, the magistrate court maintains an orderly judicial process for resolving disputes and charging criminal offenses.
FAQs
What is the difference between magistrate and state court?
Magistrate court handles smaller, less serious civil claims and criminal cases involving misdemeanors and ordinance violations. State court deals with higher value civil cases and some felony criminal offenses.
How do I pay a fine for a traffic ticket from magistrate court?
You can pay magistrate court fines in person at the court clerk’s office, by mail, or online through the court’s website if available. Make sure to get a receipt for proof of payment.
Can I represent myself in a civil case in magistrate court?
Yes, you can file and represent yourself in a magistrate court civil case if you choose not to hire an attorney. The process is designed for citizens to bring their minor disputes without needing legal counsel.
What happens if I ignore a summons to appear in magistrate court?
Ignoring a court summons can lead to a default judgment against you, additional fines for contempt of court, and possibly an arrest warrant or bench warrant being issued forcing you to appear.
Who are the magistrate court judges in Houston County?
Houston County currently has two magistrate court judges – Chief Magistrate Donald W. Johnson and Magistrate J. Matthew Brown. You can find their contact information on the county’s website or court clerk’s office.
How can I access Houston County Magistrate Court records online?
You can access court records through the official Houston County Magistrate Court website.
What types of cases does the Houston County Magistrate Court handle?
The court handles a wide range of cases, including civil cases, misdemeanor offenses, bad check cases, and ordinance violations.
Can I make online fine payments for Super-Speeder and Failure to Appear violations?
Yes, the Georgia Department of Driver Services offers an online platform for paying fines related to Super-Speeder and Failure to Appear violations.
Where can I find information about Alternative Dispute Resolution in Houston County?
Information about Alternative Dispute Resolution, including mediation and arbitration, can be found on the Houston County Magistrate Court website.
How do I expunge my Georgia criminal records?
You can download a step-by-step instruction sheet for obtaining an expungement of Georgia arrest records from the court’s website.
