Eastern Judicial Circuit of Georgia

Notice on Chatham Court Operations

Please read the below documents as this relates to all Chatham County Courts

Courthouse Entry Procedures (March 24th)

State Court Emergency Operation Protocol Memorandum (March 30th)

Superior Court Memorandum (April 9th)

Second Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency (May 11th)

Administrative Order on PPE/Mask/Face Coverings (May 22nd)

Order Establishing Guidelines for In-Person Court Proceedings - Eastern Judicial Circuit (June 3rd)

Order Declaring Judicial Emergency and Temporary Closure of J. Tom Coleman Judicial Building (July 8th)

Court functions may change outside what has been defined in the Judicial Order. An up-to-date list is provided below.

For as long as a State-Wide Judicial Emergency is in effect the Courts will address essential functions, which are defined by the various Courts as follows:

Superior Court:
**New Procedures and Protocols for Superior Court**
**New Protocol for Bond Procedures (revised July 13, 2020)**

Superior Court has suspended jury trials during the period of this Judicial Emergency. All nonessential, non-urgent matters will be rescheduled; however, attorneys and parties should check with each assigned judge's office. Essential functions include bond hearings, temporary protective orders, search warrants, arrest warrants, and other urgent legal matters.

Recorder's Court:
Recorder’s Court will be closed until Wednesday, July 22nd. The only courts being heard until further notice are Felony 1st Appearance and Domestic Violence 1st Appearance. All other courts will be rescheduled. Please see attached order.

State Court:
State Court has vacated all court dockets and will reassess for needed additional measures as events progress.

Magistrate Court:
The deadline to answer pending lawsuits and dispossessories will be reinstated effective July 14, 2020.
New court notices are being sent out. If you have questions, call (912) 652-7181

Probate Court:
Probate Court is offering essential services only with strict safety protocols explained on their webpage. Probate Court is not accepting Weapons Carry License applications. Marriage license applications are by appointment only.

Juvenile Court:
Juvenile Court shall remain open only to address essential functions necessary to protect the health, safety, and liberty of individuals. That shall include, but is not limited to, detention, and dependency emergency removal matters. If you have a hearing and are sick, contact the court before coming. For questions about Juvenile Court matters, please contact your attorney, see the Chatham County Juvenile Court website, or call 912-652-6700.