Atlanta Accident Law Library
Metro Atlanta Courts: DeKalb County
Even if you live in metro Atlanta, you might not necessarily have to go to downtown Atlanta for your court case. Because Georgia divides most of its courts by county, the majority of DeKalb county residents can take care of their legal matters in Decatur -- as long as the matter took place in DeKalb County.
DeKalb County Recorders Court
DeKalb County recorders court is the county's local court. It hears cases in which someone is accused of breaking a local or county ordinance, including traffic laws. It can also hold preliminary hearings -- hearings to decide whether the case should go forward -- for people accused of state crimes. This is the lowest and most local court in the system.
DeKalb County recorders court has four judges and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. It's located at 3630 Camp Circle in Decatur; its Web site includes a map and directions to free parking. The closest MARTA station is Kensington Station on the East rail line.
Probate Court in DeKalb County
The main mission of Georgia's probate courts is to hear cases involving wills and inheritance matters. If a family member dies in DeKalb County, you may end up in DeKalb County probate court. The probate court also issues marriage licenses and firearms licenses; hears cases where a minor or an incapacitated adult may need a court-appointed guardian; and considers involuntary treatment orders for people with mental illness, mental disabilities or substance abuse problems.
DeKalb County probate court is located at the county courthouse annex, at 556 S. McDonough Street in Decatur. The court's Web site offers a map of the courthouse, but to get there from the west, take College Ave. east and turn left onto McDonough Street. From Interstate 285, take the Memorial Drive/Cynthia McKinney Parkway exit going west, turn right onto Mountain Drive and right again onto Covington Highway, which will turn into College and allow you to turn right onto McDonough. If you're taking MARTA, the Decatur station of the East rail line is very close to the courthouse.
Juvenile Court of DeKalb County
The DeKalb County juvenile court has authority over most matters involving children and teens under 18. Minors might go to juvenile court if they're accused of a crime and under the age of 17; are considered deprived or unruly and are under 18; are a runaway; have a traffic citation; or want to get married or join the military before turning 18. The court also shares authority with the Stone Mountain circuit superior court in divorce and child custody and support cases; cases where a minor is accused of a felony; and in any case where parental rights may be terminated.
DeKalb County's juvenile court is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The court is located at 4309 Memorial Drive, just off Interstate 285. From the interstate, take the Memorial/Cynthia McKinney exit and go southwest. From Atlanta and the west, follow Memorial Drive, or take DeKalb Avenue until it becomes College Avenue and Covington Road, and turn left onto Memorial. The Kensington Station of the East rail line is the closest MARTA station.
DeKalb State and Magistrate Courts
State courts are courts with a limited jurisdiction, which means they only hear certain types of cases. The DeKalb County state court hears all non-felony criminal cases involving state law, as well as non-complex civil matters, such as lawsuits between individuals. This is also the home of the county's Diversion Treatment Court, a special program for mentally ill people who get in trouble with the law.
Magistrate courts are part of the state courts, but with limited and special functions. The civil division of DeKalb County's magistrate court is the county's small claims court. It hears lawsuits that ask for $15,000 or less, and it's especially designed for people who don't want to hire a lawyer. The magistrate court's criminal division issues criminal warrants and hears "bad check" cases.
State and magistrate courts for DeKalb County are open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The state court is at 556 N. McDonough Street in Decatur, at the county courthouse annex. The Decatur MARTA Station is close by. The magistrate court is at 3630 Camp Circle in Decatur. It is closest to the Kensington MARTA station, but you may want to take a bus from the station.
DeKalb County Superior Court
The highest court in DeKalb county is the DeKalb County Superior Court. This is the court that has general jurisdiction over all cases in the area. It is the first court for all felony criminal cases, all divorces, and complex lawsuits. It can also perform the functions of the other DeKalb County courts, and can hear appeals of decisions those courts make. The superior court is part of the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit, half of the Fourth District of Georgia's superior courts.
The DeKalb County Courthouse is at , very close to the Decatur MARTA station. To get there from Atlanta or the west, follow College Avenue east and turn left onto McDonough. From Interstate 285, go west on Memorial Drive, turn right onto Mountain Drive and right again onto Covington Highway, which you can follow through name changes until you reach McDonough, where you should turn right.;
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