The Court System

The Georgia court system has five classes of trial-level courts: the magistrate, probate, juvenile, state and superiorcourts. In addition, there are approximately 350 municipal courts operating locally. There are two appellate-level courts: the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals.

Superior Court

The superior court exercises both civil and criminal jurisdiction. Superior court judges preside over all felony trials, have exclusive jurisdiction over divorces and may correct errors made by limited jurisdiction courts. The forty-nine superior court circuits in Georgia are made up of one or more counties; each circuit has a chief superior court judge and a number of other judges as authorized by the General Assembly.

Taliaferro County Superior Court
Taliaferro County Courthouse
113 Monument Street, PO Box 182
Crawfordville, GA 30631
Phone: 706-456-2123
Fax: 706-456-2749

Juvenile Court

Juvenile courts handle all cases involving deprived and neglected children under 18 years of age; delinquent and unruly offenses committed by children under 17 years of age; and traffic violations committed by juveniles. The juvenile courts also hear cases involving consent to marriage for minors, enlistment of minors in the military, and procedures for return of a runaway child resident who is taken into custody in another state. Juvenile courts have concurrent jurisdiction with superior courts in child custody and child support matters arising from divorces cases, and in proceedings to terminate parental rights. Original jurisdiction over juveniles who commit certain serious violent felonies resides in the superior courts.

Taliaferro County Juvenile Court
Taliaferro County Courthouse
113 Monument Street, PO Box 182
Crawfordville, GA 30631
Phone: 706-456-2123
Fax: 706-456-2749

Probate Court

Original jurisdiction in the probate of wills and administration of decedents' estates is designated to the probate court of each county. Probate judges are also authorized to order involuntary hospitalization of an incapacitated adult or other individual and to appoint a legal guardian to handle the affairs of certain specified individuals. Probate courts issue marriage licenses and licenses to carry firearms. In counties where no state court exists, probate judges may hear traffic violations, certain misdemeanors, and citations involving the state game and fish laws. Many probate judges are authorized to serve as the county elections supervisor; they also administer oaths of office and make appointments to certain local public offices.

Probate Court of Taliaferro County
Taliaferro County Courthouse
113 Monument Street, PO Box 264
Crawfordville, GA 30631
Phone: 706-456-2253
Fax: 706-456-3550

Magistrate Court

Magistrate courts are county courts that issue warrants, hear minor criminal offenses and civil claims involving amounts of $15,000 or less. A chief magistrate is either elected or appointed in each county as determined by local legislation; other magistrates may be appointed by the chief magistrate. Magistrate court is the court of first resort for many civil disputes including: county ordinance violations, dispossessories, landlord/tenant cases, and bad checks. In criminal matters magistrates hold preliminary hearings; issue search warrants to law enforcement and also warrants for the arrest of a particular person. In some criminal matters magistrates are authorized to set bail for defendants. No jury trials are held in magistrate court; civil cases are often argued by the parties themselves, rather than by attorneys.

Taliaferro County Magistrate Court
Taliaferro County Courthouse
113 Monument Street, PO Box 264
Crawfordville, GA 30631
Phone: 706-456-2253
Fax: 706-456-3550

Municipal Court

Magistrate courts are county courts that issue warrants, hear minor criminal offenses and civil claims involving amounts of $15,000 or less. A chief magistrate is either elected or appointed in each county as determined by local legislation; other magistrates may be appointed by the chief magistrate. Magistrate court is the court of first resort for many civil disputes including: county ordinance violations, dispossessories, landlord/tenant cases, and bad checks. In criminal matters magistrates hold preliminary hearings; issue search warrants to law enforcement and also warrants for the arrest of a particular person. In some criminal matters magistrates are authorized to set bail for defendants. No jury trials are held in magistrate court; civil cases are often argued by the parties themselves, rather than by attorneys.

Municipal Court of Crawfordville
110 Broad Street, PO Box 8
Crawfordville, GA 30631
Phone: 706-456-2605