Fulton County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Fulton County is home to over 1,079,105 residents, making it the most populous county in the state. It spans an area of 526 square miles and encompasses 15 cities, including Atlanta, the capital city and county seat. The robust court system of Fulton County comprises the Superior Court, State Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Court, and Juvenile Court. Handling a diverse range of cases, the Fulton County Superior Court manages felonies, civil disputes, real estate matters, family and domestic relations issues, and appeals from lower courts. The Superior Court is located in Atlanta.

The Fulton County State Court operates within a defined jurisdiction, encompassing criminal and civil divisions. The criminal division handles cases falling below the felony category, addressing misdemeanors such as traffic offenses, battery, DUIs, and criminal trespass within the county. On the other hand, the civil division presides over litigation cases, including but not limited to medical and legal malpractice, wrongful death, significant personal injury, product liability, and breach of contract. The Fulton County Probate Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over matters involving the probate of Wills of decedents, appointment and removal of Guardians and Conservators of minors and adults, appointment and removal of administrators and executors of decedents' estates, as well as commitments of individuals affected by mental illness, alcohol, and substance abuse. The Fulton County Magistrate Court manages a broad spectrum of civil and criminal matters, including but not limited to abandoned motor vehicles, landlord and tenant disputes, garnishments, foreclosures, and small claims where the disputed amount is less than $15,000. The criminal matters overseen by the Fulton County Magistrate Court encompass warrant applications, first appearance hearings, preliminary hearings, and child abandonment warrant applications. The Fulton County Juvenile Court exercises jurisdiction over various juvenile matters, including allegations of delinquency, dependency, cases involving children subject to termination of parental rights or permanent guardianship, juvenile traffic offenses, and emancipation.

The Fulton County court system processes a substantial number of cases each year, with the Superior Court alone managing and completing over 20,000 new cases annually. This underscores the system's crucial role in maintaining order within the county. Additionally, the court system is pivotal in reducing the county's crime rate, currently at 30 incidents per 1000 people. Upholding a commitment to transparency and accountability, records of cases heard in the county are open to public inspection. The Fulton County Clerk of Courts is the custodian of court records and maintains an electronic database for searching magistrate, state, and superior court records online.

In summary, the Fulton County court system is a vital component of the local judicial framework, encompassing the superior, state, magistrate, probate, and juvenile courts. This comprehensive system adjudicates various legal matters, including criminal cases, civil disputes, probate proceedings, and juvenile issues. The different courts within the system work collaboratively to ensure justice is served and legal matters are addressed reasonably and efficiently.