Magistrate Court

The Jones County Magistrate Court provides service in the following areas:

Civil– Statement of Claims (small claims up to $15,000), Dispossessory (evictions), Garnishments, Foreclosure of Personal Property, Abandoned Motor Vehicles, Interrogatories, and Marriage ceremonies.

Criminal– Arrest Warrants, Pre-warrant Applications, Deposit account fraud (bad checks), Committal Hearings, First Appearance hearings (held Mon, Wed, & Fri after 5 p.m. @ the Jones County Sheriff’s Office), and County ordinances.

Legal Advice: If you plan to file a claim in the Magistrate Court or a claim has been filed against you, please be advised that neither the Judge nor the clerks can provide legal advice. Not only is it unethical and improper for the Judge or clerk to give either party legal advice, it is also illegal. If you have legal questions concerning your case, please consult the attorney of your choice.

**Official Notice of Video Conference Proceedings during Statewide Judical Emergency**

The Honorable Lewis J. Patterson will preside over Civil/Criminal Hearings September 9, 2020, beginning at 9:30 A.M. This proceeding will be conducted completely by video conference using Zoom during the Statewide Judicial Emergency. To attend the proceeding, you must contact us prior to the start of the proceeding to be provided with the link. You may contact us at 478-986-5113 or by email at jonesmagistrate@gmail.com.

Zoom may be accessed from most computers and mobile devices. The Magistrate Court will not be able to provide any technical support if you have any difficulties accessing, viewing, or hearing the proceeding. You will instead have to contact the service provider for assistance.

**Official Notice of Essential Court Functions**

Pursuant to an “order declaring judicial emergency”, signed by Georgia supreme court chief justice Harold D. Melton, magistrate court will only be conducting “essential” court functions, as described in the “order declaring judicial emergency.”  Click HERE to view Order declaring Judicial Emergency.

Civil filings: This court will accept new filings and answers including “statement of claims”, “dispossessories”, “foreclosures of personal property”, and “garnishments.” however, no hearings will be conducted unless there is an emergency situation. All deadlines and statute of limitations are currently suspended.

Marriage ceremonies:  No marriage ceremonies will be performed while the “judicial emergency” is in effect {March 14- April 14, 2020)

Initial appearance hearings (first appearance hearings): Initial appearance hearings will be conducted by “tele-conference”

Pre-warrant applications: Pre-warrant applications will be accepted. However, no hearings will be scheduled while the “judicial emergency” is in effect. (March 14- April 14, 2020)

Court dates: All court dates for jones county magistrate court that are currently scheduled are postponed until further notice. If you have any questions concerning these matters, please feel free to contact Magistrate Court at (478) 986-5113.