Contact: Susan Conner - Clerk of Court, Magistrate Court of Douglas County
Judicial - 8700 Hospital Drive
Douglasville, Georgia 30134
Phone: 770.920.7215
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The Douglas County Magistrate (Small Claims) Court handles claims under $15,000 and garnishment actions. A Magistrate Judge holds a hearing to decide each case. You may file a claim in Magistrate Court without an attorney. You may have an attorney represent you, at your own expense, if you choose. The Court does not appoint attorneys for civil cases. Either a person or a business may be sued.
If the defendant is a corporation, you must sue the corporation itself, rather than someone who works for the corporation. The Registered Agent for the corporation may be served for the corporation. To verify if a business is incorporated and to obtain the Registered Agent's name and address, contact the corporation's listing office of the Georgia Secretary of State at 404.656.2817. This information may also be obtained at www.georgiacorporations.org.
The Magistrate Court does not accept credit cards. We accept cash, personal checks, and business checks.
Criminal bond hearings are held in the Magistrate Court on the judicial side of the Douglas County Courthouse Monday through Friday mornings. Bond hearings are held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:00 a.m., and at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. When a person is arrested, he/she appears for a bond hearing unless he/she has already been released from jail on a pre-set bond, which are bonds that are predetermined for a few misdemeanor offenses. At the bond hearing, the Magistrate Judge determines if the defendant should be given a bond and the amount of the bond. The Judge determines if special conditions should be set on the defendant's bond. The defendant, if released on bond, would appear in a few months for an arraignment in another Court and for trial.
If the defendant is in jail and unable to make bond, he is entitled to a criminal preliminary hearing if his case has not yet been presented to the Grand Jury or an accusation has not yet been drawn. Preliminary hearings are held every Thursday in the Magistrate Court, third floor, Douglas County Courthouse, at 1:30 p.m.
The Magistrate Court also holds pre-arrest warrant hearings on some cases in which individuals attempt to obtain warrants against other persons.
Important Things to Remember
- If you are a party in a small claims suit and your address changes, you should notify the Clerk of the Magistrate Court in writing of your new address. The Court notifies you of your Court date by regular mail.
- The Magistrate Court was designed for you to represent yourself. However, you may have an attorney represent you.
- Once a Court date has been set by the Clerk, continuances are granted only by consent of both parties or for legal causes.
- It is very important that the correct party is sued. If there are any doubts as to who you should sue, you should consult an attorney.
- The Clerk cannot give advice on whom to sue. The Clerk can help with filling out the necessary forms.
- The Court cannot force the losing party to pay. Keep in mind, you may not be able to collect on the judgment.
- Finally, it is important to remember that you have been given basic information for suing in the Magistrate Court. Some cases require more detailed instructions and preparation than what you may have read. If you have any questions that do not require legal advice, the Clerk will be pleased to assist you. The Clerk can be reached at 770.920.7215, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Please Note:
- No faxed copies of pleadings are accepted.
- All pleadings must be originals with original signatures.
- If pleadings are mailed, signatures must be notarized.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope is required with all filings.
Magistrate Court Staff
Chief Magistrate Judge
Honorable Susan S. Camp
Magistrate Judge
Honorable Barbara H. Caldwell
Part-time Magistrate Judges
Honorable James T. Baker
Honorable Joel Dodson
Clerk of Magistrate Court
Susan Conner
Warrants and Foreclosures
By Appointment Only
For an appointment, call 770.920.7305.
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Abandoned Vehicle Packet
- 192.8KB
Answer Form
- 55.5KB
Appeal to State Court
- 7.6KB
Bank Garnishment
- 82.1KB
Checklist - If my case goes to trial
- 11.1KB
Dismissal Form (Dismissal of Case)
- 6.0KB
Dispossessory
- 58.3KB
Eviction Process (dispossessory action)
- 7.7KB
Fee Sheet
- 72.6KB
Fi Fa Request (lien on property)
- 11.2KB
Foreclosure of Personal Property
- 11.8KB
Garnishment - Continuing - Special Instructions, Affidavit, Summons, Answer, Important Instructions, Request to Disburse Funds Paid into the Court
- 138.4KB
Garnishment - Continuing Support - Special Instructions, Affidavit, Summons, Answer, Important Instructions, Request to Disburse Funds Paid into Court
- 130.3KB
How do I file a claim? - Flyer from the Douglas County Magistrate Court
- 9.0KB
How do I get my judgment paid? - Flyer from the Douglas County Magistrate Court
- 15.0KB
Interrogatories
- 10.4KB
Motion for Contempt
- 22.5KB
Motion for Default Judgment
- 7.4KB
Motion for Default Judgment Against Garnishee
- 43.1KB
Motion for Default on Consent Judgment
- 47.2KB
Returned Check Notice
- 8.4KB
Satisfaction
- 6.9KB
Special Process Server Order
- 63.2KB
Statement of Claim (lawsuit)
- 8.9KB
Traverse
- 7.3KB
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Douglas County Home
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