Columbus Municipal Court cases in Muscogee County, Columbus, GA
The Municipal Court of Columbus in Columbus, Georgia is a municipal court of limited jurisdiction. It handles first-level adjudication of offenses within the city, including traffic violations (such as moving and parking violations) and city ordinance/code enforcement matters. Under Georgia law, it also hears certain state-law misdemeanor cases arising within city limits-commonly including shoplifting, disorderly conduct, underage alcohol offenses, and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana-when a jury trial is not demanded. The court conducts arraignments, accepts pleas, holds non-jury bench trials, and imposes fines, probation, or other municipal-level sanctions. It does not handle civil disputes, family law matters, felonies, or jury trials; those are addressed in other Muscogee County courts.
Columbus Municipal Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Municipal |
| County: | Muscogee |
| Street Address: | 100 Tenth Street |
| City: | Columbus |
| Zip Code: | 31902 |
| Phone: | 706-653-4378 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
| Website URL: | https://www.columbusga.gov/Courts/munCourt.htm |
| About / Additional Info: | Municipal Court has jurisdiction of civil cases when the amount does not exceed $15,000 including suits for damages, breach of contract, etc. and jurisdiction in garnishments and writs of possession up to $15,000. In addition, all dispossessory proceedings, attachment levies, foreclosure liens and distress warrants are handled in Municipal Court. Bad check warrants, peace warrants, abandonment warrants and good behavior warrants are also issued in this court. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Columbus Municipal Court
Franklin County Municipal Court (serving Columbus) handles misdemeanors, OVI, traffic offenses, city code violations, landlord-tenant/evictions, environmental/code cases, and civil disputes up to $15,000 (small claims up to $6,000). Services include case filings (criminal complaints, traffic citations, civil complaints, small claims, garnishments, rent escrow), records access, payments, and bonding/scheduling. Protective-order services include assistance with temporary protection orders in related criminal cases and petitions for civil stalking/sexually oriented offense protection orders, with associated hearings. Court proceedings include arraignments, pretrials, motion hearings, trials, probation/compliance reviews, and specialty-docket sessions. Jury services cover juror summons, orientation, voir dire, trial assignment, and support. Additional public-facing functions include mediation, probation supervision, specialty treatment courts, interpreter services, and accessibility accommodations. The court adjudicates these matters, ensures due process, provides protective remedies, manages juries, and facilitates public access to justice.