DeKalb County
Dekalb County is the fourth most populous county in Georgia, with a population of 764,382 inhabitants. Created in 1822, it encompasses 10% of the City of Atlanta. The three largest ethnic groups in the county are the black/african, white (caucasian), and asian populations.
The Dekalb County Superior Court is the highest trial court and it exercises a broad range of civil and criminal jurisdictions. It presides over all felony trials, as well as cases involving premises liability, divorce, title to land, misdemeanors, and contract disputes. The superior court has the statutory authority to correct the errors made by limited jurisdiction courts.
State, magistrate, municipal, probate, and juvenile courts are courts of limited jurisdiction in Dekalb County. The State Court of Dekalb County holds preliminary hearings in criminal cases and also presides over civil matters that are not reserved exclusively for the superior court. Furthermore, the state court handles traffic offenses and DUI cases and can issue search and arrest warrants.
The magistrate court is the first resort for many civil disputes including landlord/tenant cases, bad checks, dispossessories, garnishments, foreclosures, and county ordinance violations. It does not hold jury trials. Furthermore, its civil cases are argued by the parties themselves rather than attorneys. Dekalb County municipal courts have jurisdiction over violations of local ordinances such as zoning regulations, animal control laws, illegal dumping, and noise ordinances. Also, they handle offenses such as shoplifting, criminal trespass, and possession of marijuana.
Original jurisdiction in the administration of the estate of deceased persons, probate of wills, issuance of firearm and marriage licenses, and the appointment of guardians for children and adults is designated to the probate court. The juvenile court handles all cases of children under the age of 18 years who are delinquent, abused, neglected, or in need of protection.
In Dekalb County, non-confidential court records are accessible by visiting the Office of the Clerk in the court where the case was filed. For example, all superior public court records are in the safekeeping of the superior court clerk and can be released on request within three days.
By providing the case number, case type, case status, or the name of the party involved, you can access the following on the Dekalb County Online Records portal:
- Civil court records
- Family court records
- Traffic court records
- Criminal court records
Lastly, magistrate court ordinance cases and court dockets are available on Case Search. To review probate court records in person, you can schedule an appointment by contacting the court at shharrison@dekalbcountyga.gov or 404-371-2701.
