Northern Judicial Circuit Declares Judicial Emergency

The Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, Harold D. Melton, has proclaimed a Statewide Judicial Emergency as a result of the continued transmission of Coronaviius/COVID-19 throughout the State and the potential infection of those who work in or are required to appear in the Courts of Georgia.

The Northern Judicial Circuit is comprised of Elbert, Franklin, Hart, Madison and Oglethorpe Counties.

The Order is effective immediately and extends to April 13, 2020 at 11:59 P.M. Pursuant to the terms of the Order all civil and criminal juries, and grand juries, are continued.

All scheduled civil and criminal jury trials are continued. All civil and criminal hearings are continued, with limited exceptions.

Exceptions include hearings for Temporary Protective Orders, initial bond hearings, and other emergencies as deemed such by the assigned Judge. Trials, hearings and grand jury sessions affected by the Order shall be rescheduled and heard at a later date.

It is further recommended that communications with the Courts be by phone or e-mail in order to keep personal contact and interaction to a minimum. The Superior Court Judges will be available to consider emergency matters and to conduct hearings on the same.

Parties who may have questions should contact their attorneys for further guidance.

Parties who are self- represented may contact the respective Clerks of the respective Courts with questions.

The Order is applicable to the Superior Courts, State Courts, Magistrate Courts, Probate Courts, Juvenile Court, and Municipal Courts of the five (5) counties of the Northern Judicial Circuit.

While this will cause a temporary inconvenience and disruption to the Courts, attorneys, and parties, this temporary imposition is secondary to protecting the health of our citizens.

A copy of the Order will be posted at the Courthouses of all counties in the Northern Judicial Circuit, and a copy of the Order may also be viewed on the respective websites of the Clerks of Superior Courts of all counties in the Northern Judicial Circuit.

Chief Judge Jeffrey S. Malcoin, Judge R. Chris Phelps
Judge Lauren A. Watson Judges of the Superior Courts, Northern Judicial Circuit