Wayne County
Wayne County is located in southeastern Georgia as part of the Coastal Plains region. It was founded in 1803 and named after Revolutionary War hero, General Anthony Wayne. The county covers approximately 641.8 square miles and has a population of about 30,277. Its county seat and largest city is Jesup.
Wayne County's judicial system comprises the Superior, State, Juvenile, Probate, Magistrate, and Municipal Courts. The Wayne County Georgia Superior Court handles major criminal cases, civil disputes, divorces, child custody, equity, and title to real property. The State Court oversees misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil lawsuits not under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court. Meanwhile, Wayne County Juvenile Court addresses truancy, dependency, and delinquency cases involving minors. At the same time, the Probate Court manages wills, estates, and guardianships, as well as marriage licenses. The Magistrate Court issues temporary domestic violence protection orders, handles small claims, and landlord-tenant disputes, and conducts preliminary hearings. It also oversees most general civil claims that do not exceed $15,000 in dispute. On the other hand, the Municipal Courts' jurisdictions typically include city ordinance violations, traffic cases, and preliminary hearings for certain criminal matters within city limits.
Court records in Wayne County are the official documentation of legal proceedings within the county. They include testimony, judgments, motions, warrants, and subpoenas. These records are maintained by the Clerks' Offices of their respective courts. Public access to these documents is governed by the Georgia Open Records Act, but some records, like those involving juveniles, mental health, and adoptions, are exempt from public inspection. Residents can request the following types of records:
- Criminal records
- Civil records
- Traffic records
- Probate records
- Land records
- Family law records
Requests for court records can be made online via state or county-specific platforms such as Georgia's re:SearchGA portal. Alternatively, record seekers can visit the Clerk of Court's Office, located at:
174 North Brunswick Street
Jesup, GA 31546
Phone: (912) 427-5930
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fees for obtaining physical copies vary, often charged per page.
