Magistrate Court

Welcome to the Magistrate Court of White County, Georgia. Our goal is to provide a user friendly environment that will help you understand who we are and the role the Magistrate Court plays in the overall judicial system.     

The following does not constitute as legal advice. It is only meant to give a general summary of the duties and functions of the Magistrate Court. The following is not an exhaustive list of said responsibilities. For more information please read the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. (see O.C.G.A § 15-10-1).

The Magistrate Court, also known as the people's court, was established by the Georgia Constitution in 1983 (Ga. Const. 1983, Art. 6, § 1, Para. 1).  This Court is an effective way for citizens to resolve disputes quickly and effectively with or without legal representation.  Each of Georgia's 159 counties must have a Magistrate Court, with one Chief Magistrate to preside over them. In White County, the Chief Magistrate is elected and other Magistrate Judges are appointed by the Chief Magistrate and confirmed by the Superior Court.
 

Civil Claims

The Magistrate Court has jurisdiction over civil claims not exceeding $15,000. Types of civil cases include:

• Small Claims (e-file)
• Garnishments
• Dispossessory (e-file)
• Property Foreclosure
• Abandoned Motor Vehicles

Criminal Cases

The Magistrate Court is also responsible for several types of criminal cases. Criminal cases in the Magistrate Court do not include juries. Types of criminal cases include:

• Arrest, Inspection, and Search Warrants
• Deposit Account Fraud (Bad Checks)
• Misdemeanor Offenses: Possession of Less Than 1 oz. of Marijuana, Shoplifting, Refund Fraud, Possession of Alcohol by Person Under Age 21, and Criminal Trespass

County Ordinance Violations

The White County Magistrate Court is responsible for adjudicating county ordinance violations. Authority to the White County Magistrate Court over the trials of ordinance violations is found in O.C.G.A. § 15-10-2(4). Types of ordinance violations include:

• Animal Running at Large, Cruelty to Animals, or No Proof of Animal Vaccination
• Violation of Land Use Regulations, Solid Waste Regulations, or Sign Regulations