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 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
Initial appearance hearings (first appearance hearings): Initial appearance hearings will be conducted by “tele-conference”
Pre-warrant applications: Pre-warrant applications will be accepted.
