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)

5th Extension of Statewide Judicial Order (August 11th)

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

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 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.