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Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

Where is the DeKalb County Courthouse located?

A: The courthouse is at 556 North McDonough Street, Decatur, Georgia 30030.

A: Normal operating hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding county holidays.

Division A (Courthouse): 404-371-2261 | Criminal: [email protected] | Civil: [email protected]

Division B (Traffic Court): 404-294-2099 | Email: [email protected]

Georgia law requires interpreters for hearing impaired individual and for individuals who do not speak English well enough to participate in a meaningful manner in their own plea or trial. To request an interpreter for State Court – Division A, please contact the case manager. https://dekalbgastatecourt.gov/interpreters/
To request an interpreter for State Court – Division B email [email protected]. 

 

The link below will take you to a brochure created by the joint efforts of the Georgia Commission on Access and Fairness in the Courts and the Administrative Office of the Courts’ Research Division. The Administrative Office of the Courts serves all classes of courts and acts as secretariat to judicial branch agencies and committees. The agency takes a leadership role in projects to improve the court system and increase system responsiveness to the citizens it serves. The agency staffs the Judicial Council and works closely with the Supreme Court of Georgia.

https://dekalbgastatecourt.gov/courtroom-conduct/

Generally, cases (both civil and criminal) are retained on site for approximately two (2) years. Once cases have been removed from our local office, they are placed in the DeKalb County Retention Center. If you are requesting a case to be retrieved from the retention center, please allow a minimum of three (3) business days for the case to be delivered to the Clerk’s Office.

When phoning the Clerk’s Office to inquire about a case, be sure to have the case number available. Having the case number will expedite locating the case. Each case has a unique case number. Please see the legend below.

Case Number Legend



You must go to the DeKalb County Jail with a State issued ID to inquire about an active warrant

State Court, Division A – Civil Division

What is the process of a civil case?
  • The plaintiff must file a complaint with the appropriate court that includes the facts that support the claim and the amount of money the plaintiff is seeking.
  • The defendant, the party being sued, must be served.  Service maybe completed by the Marshal’s office or by process server.
  • The defendant then must respond, or answer, the claim. The defendant may admit or deny the allegations and may state the legal defenses to the claim.
  • State Court allows for discovery that may include interrogatories, request for production of documents, and depositions.
  • Motions maybe filed to ask the judge to make decisions about issues before the trial begins.
  • Settlement agreement is an option to settle the dispute between the parties without going to court.
  • If the case has not been resolved, a trial will be scheduled.  The judge or jury considers the evidence and then announces the verdict.

Once the defendant has been served and has filed an answer, the judicial case manager will set up a court date.  Please be aware that that certain pleadings do not require a court date.

You must e-file your request. The pleading will be forwarded to the judicial case manager.

You can request a copy of the transcript with the Judge’s staff.  Fees may apply.

The courts do not collect your judgment. There are several options available to try and collect your judgment.  

  • Obtain a Writ of Fieri Facias (or Fi Fa), a document issued that records a lien on the judgment debtor’s property and a legal instrument by which the marshal may seize the assets of a judgment debtor.
  • Filing a garnishment against a bank or wages.
  • Requesting a levy against property owned. (Link to Marshal’s office on procedure)

How Do I?

How do I attend virtual court?

Zoom instructions

efileGA instructions

State Court, Division A – Criminal Division

What is a misdemeanor in Georgia?

A misdemeanor is a criminal offense that carries less severe punishments compared with a felony.  Misdemeanors are punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine not exceeding $1,000.00.

  • If the charge is DUI or Vehicular Homicide, please contact State Court Criminal, Division A at 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030 or by phone at 404-371-2261.
  • All other traffic offenses, please contact State Court – Division B at 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur, GA  30032 or by phone at 404-294-2099.

The District Attorney’s office is located on the 7th floor of courthouse at 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA  30030.  For filings and documents, please contact the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office at 404-371-2836.

  • Accusation Filed – An accusation is formally charging a person with a crime. For misdemeanor cases, this is filed by the Solicitor General’s Office. 
  • Arraignment – The judge reads the charges against the defendant.  The defendant chooses to plead “guilty”, “not guilty” or “no contest” to those charges.  The judge will also review the defendant’s bail and set dates for future proceedings.
  • Motion Hearings – A hearing that allows the prosecutor or defendant to resolve issues and establish what evidence and testimony will be admissible at trial.
  • Calendar Call – A hearing that allows the prosecutor and defense to provide information to the judge to determine the status of the case and move the case forward.
  • Trial – A judge or jury makes the final determination of guilt or innocence after listening to opening and closing statements, examination and cross-examination of witnesses and evidence.
  • Sentencing – If the person is found guilty, the court determines the appropriate punishment for the defendant.  This could include fines and fees, imprisonment, or both.

The solicitor’s office accuses cases within two years of the arrest or citation.  Therefore, the Clerk’s Office does not know when an accusation will be filed.  Please contact the Solicitor’s Office.

The Solicitor’s Office is located on the 5th floor of the courthouse.  The phone number is 404-371-2201.  The e-mail address is [email protected]

You may contact the public defender at 404-371-2222.  The website is https://dekalbstatecourt.net/public-defender/

You must compose your own motions.  To file, you must go to Clerk’s Office or e-file.  You may conduct legal research at the Law Library located on the 4th floor of the Courthouse.  You may seek legal assistance from resources such as the attorney, Atlanta (DeKalb) County Legal Aid, or DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation at 404-373-0865.

  • You may update your address in person at 556 N. McDonough Street, Suite 240, Decatur, GA  30030.  Please bring in a valid government-issued ID is required.
  • You may email [email protected]. Please provide the former address, the new address, phone number, and e-mail address with a copy of a valid government-issued ID.

To request a change to a court date, you must contact the assigned judicial staff. Please click here for the judicial directory.

All records are open to the public, unless restricted.  If restricted, only the defendant, attorney on record or government agency will be able to receive a copy. If a record is sealed, you must petition the court.

The cost for copies is $1.00 per page and $5.00 for a certified copy.  The acceptable forms of payment are cash and money order payable to “State Court of DeKalb County”.

You may fill out a record inquiry form and submit it to the Solicitor’s Office.  More information and the form, please click here.

(https://dekalbsolicitorgeneral.com/court-information/misdemeanor-arrest-record-restriction/)

 

if the requesting party is authorized to receive a copy, a request may be submitted in person at 556 N. McDonough Street, Suite 240, Decatur, GA  30030 or e-mail [email protected].  The request must include case number and government issued id.  The Clerk’s Office will then notify the party of the fees.  Once the fees are paid through cash or money order, the Clerk will then process and mail the copy.

You can request a copy of the transcript with the Judge’s staff.  Fees may apply.

If the surety paid the funds at the DeKalb County jail, the surety would get a bond refund by the Sherrif’s Department (B110.)  If the surety paid in a municipality, the State Court Accounting office (Suite 250) will refund the bond.  The surety needs to have a certified copy of the disposition and a government issued photo id.

You must file a Notice of Appeal and pay the fee of $25.00.  In your notice you must provide the case number and which court to whom you are appealing to: Georgia Court of Appeal or Supreme Court of Georgia.

No.  You may pay the probation fine in the probation department on the 3rd floor of the Courthouse.  You may be able to pay online at https://dekalbstatecourt.net/probation/

Please contact the Criminal Division of Magistrate Court of DeKalb County.  The phone number is 404-294-2150. The location is 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur, GA  30032.

You can get a copy of the police report at arresting agency.  For DeKalb County, 1960 W. Exchange Place 2nd Floor, Room 210 Tucker, GA  30084. The website is https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/police-services/central-records. The phone number is 678-406-7929.  If arrested in a municipality, you must contact that municipality.  (Avondale Estates, Dunwoody, etc.)

Please contact the Criminal Division of Magistrate Court of DeKalb County.  The phone number is 404-294-2150. The location is 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur, GA  30032.

To get personal belongings after an arrest in DeKalb County, Georgia, you can visit the Police Property Room and bring a valid state-issued ID, driver’s license, US Military ID, or US passport. If you’re picking up someone else’s property, you’ll need to contact the arresting officer or detective first. If your property was turned in as evidence, the arresting officer or detective will need to send an Authorization of Release Letter to the Property Room before you can get it back.  The address is 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur, GA  30032.  The phone number is 404-294-2528.

*Government agencies are not charged.  (Federal, GBI, Georgia Justice Project, US Probation, Federal Probation, Public Defender’s Office, State Agency)

Pretrial Court Services

Q: What cases does Magistrate Court handle?

A: Magistrate Court (the “people’s court”) handles small claims, landlord/tenant (evictions), garnishments, and some criminal matters.

A: Some proceedings may be held virtually. Check your court notice or contact the division handling your case.

A: Yes. E-filing is available 24/7 through the state’s eFile system.

Dispossessory

I have been served with a Dispossessory/Eviction. What is next?

A: Magistrate Court (the “people’s court”) handles small claims, landlord/tenant (evictions), garnishments, and some criminal matters.

A: Some proceedings may be held virtually. Check your court notice or contact the division handling your case.

A: Yes. E-filing is available 24/7 through the state’s eFile system.

A: Yes. E-filing is available 24/7 through the state’s eFile system.

A: Yes. E-filing is available 24/7 through the state’s eFile system.

Garnishments

Q: How do I file for a Garnishment?

A: Magistrate Court (the “people’s court”) handles small claims, landlord/tenant (evictions), garnishments, and some criminal matters.

A: DUI Court is a specialized accountability court program for repeat DUI offenders, focused on treatment and supervision.

A: Some proceedings may be held virtually. Check your court notice or contact the division handling your case.

A: Yes. E-filing is available 24/7 through the state’s eFile system.