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)**
**Protocol for VIRTUAL OUT-OF-JAIL NEGOTIATED PLEAS and WEBEX ROOM**
Webex Room Instructions
Video Court Instructions for Counsel to Provide to Clients
Temporary Designation of an Alternative Facility for the Conduct of Judicial Business (Grand Jury)
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:
All Recorder's Court operations have been resumed.
Failure to appear for Recorder’s Court for traffic citation(s) will result in you being held in contempt and charged an additional fee of $100. This could suspend your license if not taken care of.
Office hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm
State Court:
State Court has vacated all court dockets and will reassess for needed additional measures as events progress.
Magistrate Court:
All in-person proceedings in civil cases are being scheduled on a limited basis; however, the Court is allowing parties and witnesses to participate in virtual hearings/trials. As these
are trying times, the Court expects all parties to exercise the utmost professionalism in their dealings with others.
* TEMPORARY PROTOCOLS FOR CIVIL TRIALS IN CHATHAM COUNTY MAGISTRATE COURT *
Probate Court:
Probate Court is offering all services with safety protocols explained on their webpage. With the exception of mental health orders to apprehend and petitions for emergency
guardianships/conservatorships, all services are by appointment only and walk-in customers will be required to make an appointment. Instructions and links are provided on their webpage.
At this time, Probate Court is accepting payment by credit card, money order or cashier’s check only. Probate Court is open from 8am until 5pm but closed between noon to 1pm for station
cleaning and lunch. Anyone seeking to file an emergency pleading should attempt to arrive at court before 4pm to allow time for processing.
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.