Coffee County
Coffee County was created on February 9, 1854. It was named for Coffee E. John, who was a military leader and a congressman in Georgia. It spans 603 square miles, and its county seat is Douglas. It is located in the southern part of Georgia, and it has a population of over 43,000 people.
A Superior, State, Juvenile, Probate, and Magistrate Court as well as Municipal Courts make up the court system. The Superior Court processes child support, certain juvenile cases, and real estate disputes. The State Court handles simple assaults, theft, drunk driving, and violation of county ordinances, and conducts preliminary hearings. The Juvenile Court makes decisions concerning the custody of minors. It also handles status offenses such as minors running away from home.
The Probate Court appoints conservators for incapacitated persons, validates wills, and distributes the assets of a deceased person according to their will. The Magistrate Court attends to small claims cases, evictions, and civil cases, including foreclosures and garnishments. The Municipal Courts help in the abatement of nuisance, enforce animal control, and other ordinance violation rules.
In Coffee County, the Clerk of Courts is responsible for maintaining court records. When a case is initiated, the involved parties file the necessary documents with the Clerk of Courts. When a judge delivers a judgment or order, it is documented and added to the case file. The Clerk of Courts handles records for Superior, State, and Juvenile Courts. These records are usually transmitted electronically for storage or organized in indices in the courthouses.
If you need to access court records, you can contact the Clerk of Courts office at (912) 384-2865 or visit the office located at 101 South Peterson Avenue, Douglas, GA. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. You can access certain records online through the E-Access to Court Records website. Also, a written request addressed to the office of the clerk of court will assist you in obtaining copies of your desired records of interest. Be sure to include the case number, the litigant's name, and any other relevant details. Non-confidential case information is found in the following records and is generally accessible to the public:
- Civil Court Records
- Probate Court Records
- Criminal Court Records
- Real Estate/Land Court Records
