Glynn County
Glynn County, which was created as one of the state's eight original counties in 1777, is situated in the southeastern section of Georgia. Named for John Glynn, a British House of Commons member, it is populated with more than 85,000 people, and Brunswick is its county seat.
The Glynn County trial court system comprises several courts, including a superior court, a state court, a juvenile court, a probate court, a magistrate court, and a municipal court. The Glynn County Superior Court, which is a general jurisdiction court, adjudicates felony cases, lesser-included crimes, equity suits, real property title lawsuits, and domestic relations proceedings. Its Family Court division presides over divorce and other cases relating to children's welfare, including domestic violence, child abuse, child support/custody, and paternity.
The State Court, in contrast, is a limited jurisdiction court that hears misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic citations, personal property foreclosures, eviction suits, and civil cases outside the Superior Court's exclusive jurisdiction. The Glynn County Juvenile Court, which is also a limited jurisdiction court, has special jurisdiction over cases of minors allegedly described as delinquent, unruly, deprived, or needing treatment owing to mental illness or “mental retardation.†Juvenile traffic crimes, paternity, child support, child custody, and minor-based judicial consent cases also fall within the Juvenile Court's authority. It, however, cannot hear graver juvenile cases within the Superior Courts' exclusive jurisdiction, despite sharing juvenile jurisdiction with it.
The Probate Court adjudicates all probate matters, including the probate of wills, guardians/conservators appointments, estate administrations, and involuntary health commitments. Furthermore, the Magistrate Court, which does not offer jury trials, handles preliminary hearings, violations of county ordinances, civil claims for amounts in dispute below $15,000, and certain misdemeanors. Glynn County's Municipal Court solely presides over traffic and ordinance violations within the municipality, certain misdemeanors, and initial hearings for some criminal suits.
Glynn County court records are various legal documentation of judicial proceedings within the county courts. They provide proof of events that occurred in the courts and constitute legally admissible evidence in future court actions. Court files and transcripts, audio and video trial recordings, and court orders and judgments are typical contents of court records. Some court records in Glynn County courts include:
- Civil records
- Juvenile records
- Probate records
- Criminal records
The Glynn County Clerk of the Superior Court maintains court records and oversees requests for public court records. Per Georgia's Open Records Act, court records are deemed public records and are open to public disclosure. Requesters can inspect and/or copy non-exempt court records, especially civil and criminal records, by visiting the Superior Court Clerk's Office in person or the clerks of the courthouses where their cases were filed (for other court record types).
