Magistrate Court

Magistrate Court of Lowndes County

Clearance Rate Excellence Award


I am pleased to announce that the Magistrate Court was awarded the Certificate of Clearance Excellence by the Judicial Council of Georgia for 2022. This award recognizes the top 10% of courts in each class of court that demonstrate exceptional performance in maintaining clearance rates, which is a key indicator of a court’s ability to manage its caseload. Needless to say, I am very proud of the clerks and constables of the Magistrate Court. They work diligently every day to meet every mandate and constitutional requirement so that cases are heard 

efficiently and effectively.  


***Effective July 1, 2023*** 

Beginning July 1, 2023 If you would like to request an Appeal or (Petition for Review) of your final judgment in the Magistrate Court, you may do so in the Superior Court of Lowndes County. 

              **PUBLIC PORTAL ACCESS***TO OBTAIN STATUS AND INFORMATION REGARDING CIVIL FILINGS IN THE MAGISTRATE COURT CLICK HERE.

YOU MUST REGISTER YOUR NAME OR BUSINESS ON THE PUBLIC PORTAL WEBSITE IN ORDER TO USE THE PUBLIC PORTAL 

"HOW TO SEARCH FOR PARTY NAMES IN THE PUBLIC PORTAL"- Due to common spellings and multiple parties regarding civil suits and dispossessory cases, you must enter a party name in the public portal "Smart Search" as follows: Last name*, First name* Example: Doe*, John*  

Judges of the Magistrate Court

County Ordinance Bond Schedule for the Magistrate Court

Overview

The Magistrate Court staff includes the Clerk of Court, 8 deputy clerks, 3 constables, and 2 full-time Judges and 2 part-time Judges. The Magistrate Courts of Georgia were established in 1983 when the current Georgia Constitution was ratified. The Constitution required the Magistrate Courts to replace the Justice of the Peace, and a variety of other small claims courts. Each county in the State of Georgia has a Magistrate Court.

The Lowndes County Magistrate Court is divided into 2 divisions the Civil Division and the Criminal Division.

Civil Division

The Civil Division handles monetary claims that are $15,000 or less. Any amount in excess of $15,000 should be filed in either the State or Superior Court of Lowndes County. Actions filed in the Magistrate Court include, but are not limited to:

  • Contract disputes
  • Dispossessory actions (evictions)
  • Personal injury
  • Suits on account

This court does not handle divorce, child support actions, or actions involving title to property. You may appear on your own behalf or may be represented by an attorney.

Criminal Division

The Criminal Division handles the issuing of arrest warrants for Lowndes County after probable cause has been determined. The Magistrate Court also conducts:

  • Bond hearings
  • First appearances
  • Ordinance hearings
  • Preliminary hearings
  • Truancy hearings 
  • Pre-Arrest Warrant hearings