Magistrate Court

Mission Statement

The Magistrate Court has general civil jurisdiction over civil cases of up to $15,000, these cases may include personal injury cases, contract disputes, construction cases and other cases of a general nature. The Court also handles garnishments, dispossession actions, and writs of possession.

Criminal Jurisdiction

The Magistrate Court also has criminal jurisdiction over various State Law violations, such as:

• Criminal Trespass
• Deposit Account Fraud Cases
• Possession of Marijuana
• Theft by Shoplifting
• Underage Drinking
• Various Ordinance Violations

Warrants for Violations

The Court issues warrants for violations of the criminal laws of the State, sets bonds on these offenses and conducts preliminary hearings as a Court of Inquiry.

Hearings

The Magistrate Court conducts hearings in the following cases:

• Arraignments in misdemeanor bad check cases, state law violations, and county ordinance violations:
  • First and third Thursdays of each month at 9 a.m.
• Civil claims, garnishments, contract disputes, and other cases up to $15,000:
  • First and third Fridays of each month at 9 a.m.
• Criminal motions:
  • First and third Wednesdays of each month at 9 a.m.
• Dispossessory/eviction hearings:
  • Every Thursday at 2 p.m.
• First appearance hearings/bond hearings
  • Every day at the Laurens County Law Enforcement Center Courtroom
• Pre-warrant application hearings
  • Every Thursday at 2 p.m.

Obtaining Documents

Forms are available from the Georgia Magistrate Council homepage.