DeKalb County Magistrate Court suspends non-essential hearings

DeKalb County Superior Court Chief Judge Asha Jackson has issued an order suspending all non-essential court functions due to mandates announced by Gov. Kemp and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Harold Melton due to COVID-19.

All Magistrate Court Civil Calendars are postponed until further notice. As a result, Chief Magistrate Judge Berryl A. Anderson announced the following changes to Magistrate Court proceedings:

All proceedings relating to evictions, garnishment, small claims, abandoned motor vehicles, bad checks and all other civil matters are continued during the duration of the Chief Justices Emergency Order. Specifically, effective March 13, all writs of eviction and the dates for filing answers in evictions and other civil matters are extended through  April 13, 2020.

Temporary Protective Order Ex-Partehearings will operate on a limited schedule, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Temporary Protective Order Twelve-Month hearings previously scheduled will be reset to a later date. All Temporary Protective Orders previously issued remain in full force and effect through April 13.

Magistrate Court Criminal Divisionwill continue to operate on its regular schedule with limited access to the public.  Bond hearings will be held in accordance with the regular schedule.  Preliminary Hearings, Warrant Application Hearings, Abandonment Hearings, Criminal Warrant Applications, and Weddings are suspended until further notice.

Ordinance Division–all regular Ordinance Hearings are suspended until further notice, except for jail cases, which will be heard as regularly scheduled.

Pretrial Services—Anyone required to report to Pretrial Services in personduring this period may report to the investigator via telephone. Individuals currently being monitored by ankle monitoror other electronic device must contact the investigator specific instructions on reporting.

Additional operational updates will be available as issued and can be found at https://dekalbcountymagistratecourt.com.