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State Court of Fayette County
Contact Information:State Court Judge’s Office (770) 716-4270
The Honorable Carla Wong McMillian Anita Clark – Staff Attorney Holly Peace – Administrative Assistant Please note that all information posted is subject to our disclaimer.
Mission StatementIt is the mission of the State Court of Fayette County to:
History and Jurisdiction of Fayette County State Court
State Court is a court of limited jurisdiction. State Court has jurisdiction, within the territorial limits of the county, over all criminal matters below the grade of felony, including misdemeanors, traffic violations, and county ordinance violations. State Court has jurisdiction over all civil matters, without regard to the amount in controversy, concurrent with the Superior Courts, unless the Superior Courts have exclusive jurisdiction (i.e. disputes concerning title to land, divorce, child custody, etc.). The State Court also has jurisdiction over the review of decisions of other courts as provided by law. Criminal violations handled in State Court are prosecuted by the Office of the Solicitor General . Court AppearancesIf you are scheduled to appear in State Court at a certain date and time, it is very important that you appear promptly at the time shown on the notice you receive in the mail. You should plan to arrive sufficiently early to avoid serious adverse consequences which may result from your absence. You should dress in a manner appropriate for your appearance in court. If you have children, and if possible, you should make arrangements for their care well in advance of your court date so that they do not disrupt court proceedings. Cell phones, pagers, and other devices that may disrupt court proceedings are not allowed in the courtroom, except that members of the bar and court personnel may use electronic devices such as laptops so long as such use does not disrupt court proceedings. Inclement Weather PolicyIn the event of inclement weather, the State Court follows the policy for Fayette County Government offices. Any missed hearings will be re-scheduled with notice to the parties. Court-Appointed Attorneys for Criminal MattersIf you are charged with a crime and cannot afford to hire an attorney, you may apply for representation by the Public Defenders Office: Public Defender’s Office Attorneys for Civil MattersThe Court cannot appoint attorneys to represent parties in civil matters (private disputes between two or more parties), nor may courthouse personnel recommend attorneys. Courthouse personnel are legally and ethically prohibited from giving legal advice. You may wish to contact the local bar association in the county where you are located for an attorney referral. In Fayette County, you may contact the Fayette County Bar Association. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may wish to contact the Atlanta Legal Aid Society.
Court Reporter ServicesAny party desiring to have a hearing reported in State Court shall notify the Court's Judicial Assistant Holly Peace at least two full business days in advance of the hearing.
HoursState Court and the State Court Clerk’s Office are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except for those dates designated as legal holidays in Fayette County. Law LibraryThe Law Library is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except for those dates designated as legal holidays in Fayette County. Probation InformationQuestions regarding criminal probation and revocation hearings in the State Court should be directed to:
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The
State Court of Fayette County was created in 1994 by local legislation
of the Georgia General Assembly (Ga. L. 1994, p. 4980). State Court began
operating on January 1, 1997. The Honorable W. Fletcher Sams served as judge from 1997 through October 4, 2010. The Honorable Carla Wong McMillian was appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue as the second State Court Judge of Fayette County.