The Atlanta municipal court handles city ordinance violations and a limited number of state law misdemeanor criminal offense cases. The courthouse is busy, and many patrons are confused about where they should go.
Most of the cases handled by this court involve crimes arising from DRIVING. These cases can affect your ability to drive through a license suspension or by points being added to your record.
Court Sessions
The Atlanta municipal court handles a wide variety of cases from minor parking tickets to misdemeanor DUI cases. It also has several programs that may allow you to resolve your case without a conviction.
Judges Gaines, Sloan, Ward and Portis handle a combination of state law offenses (traffic and some misdemeanors) and city ordinance violations such as building code or noise. Typically, the Judge who is assigned to your case will let you know when your arraignment is scheduled.
The Atlanta municipal court offers both bench trials, in which the judge decides your fate, and jury trials. It also has community court, which helps people find non-criminal alternatives to criminal punishment. The Atlanta municipal court is a misdemeanor-level court, so it cannot impose sentences of jail time, but it can hand down fines of up to $1,000 per offense. The court also has the power to suspend your driver’s license. If you fail to appear in court, the judge will send information to the Department of Driver Services and your Georgia driver’s license will be suspended.
Public Defender
Many of the cases that are heard in municipal court are misdemeanors that carry the threat of jail time. If you cannot afford to hire your own attorney, the court will appoint you a public defender.
The municipal court tries ordinance violations, issues warrants and conducts preliminary hearings in certain criminal cases. It also handles misdemeanor cases, such as shoplifting and marijuana possession.
Depending on the case, it can be tried by either a bench trial or a jury trial. The city’s municipal court is also known for its community justice program, which allows nonviolent first-time offenders to avoid a criminal conviction by participating in counseling and other requirements.
An Atlanta DUI lawyer can help keep a traffic misdemeanor off your record, but you will need to appear in person at your court hearing date. Having an experienced DUI lawyer who is up to speed on all the latest developments in DUI law can save you money and time.
Parking Citations
If you have been issued a parking ticket in Atlanta, you will likely need to appear at the Lenwood Jackson Judicial Center at 150 Garnett Street SW, 30303. The court is easy to reach by public transportation and offers a variety of parking options.
Before your court date, you can check your case status online. This will let you know whether your case has been postponed or not. You can also find your assigned Judge’s contact information here.
The Court has a program, called PTIT, that allows many cases to be dismissed upon payment of a fee and sometimes completion of a defensive driving course. It can be a very helpful tool for drivers who would otherwise face significant consequences like license suspension and increased insurance rates.
It’s always a good idea to hire an attorney experienced with Atlanta traffic courts. They can help ensure that your rights are protected and increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome in your case.
Appeals
Municipal courts, or city courts, mainly try ordinance violations (e.g., parking tickets) and certain misdemeanor offenses such as shoplifting or marijuana possession. These courts also issue criminal warrants, conduct preliminary hearings and hear specific cases related to zoning or other municipal code issues.
These courts generate substantial revenue through fines and fees. Therefore, the judge has a strong incentive to convict defendants and not let them off the hook. A skilled attorney in this setting will try to cut a deal that appeals to the judge’s profit motive while minimizing punishment.
Most of the same dysfunctions that plague lower courts are magnified in municipal court systems. That’s why it’s essential to have an experienced Atlanta DUI lawyer on your side. The right lawyer can make a big difference in your case. A qualified attorney can help you with navigating the Atlanta municipal court system and avoid any unnecessary jail time, fines or driver’s license suspension.
