EXPLAINER: How does the Chatham County Magistrate Court operate?

The judicial system is a complex organization of courts and circuits, each with its own well-defined role. With judgeships up for election during the 2022 cycle, here's an explanation of what the Magistrate Court does.

Established in 1983, Magistrate Court was known then as the justice of the peace and was meant to give people a place to file small claims and work out their issues before a judge in an efficient way. Other names for the court have been small claims court or the people’s court. Georgia has 159 magistrate courts, including one in Chatham County.

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What is the purpose of Magistrate Court?

Magistrate court is a court of limited jurisdiction in which claims of $15,000 or below can be filed. Residents do not have to have an attorney for Magistrate Court. "It's to give individuals a forum for a judge to hear their small claims, and have a court adjudicate those small claims for the general public in an efficient manner,” Chief Magistrate Court Judge Mary Kathryn Moss told the Savannah Morning News.

That is the civil side of Magistrate Court. On the criminal side, the court issues search and arrest warrants, preliminary, pre-warrant and first appearance hearings and evictions, which are called dispossessory warrants.

The court also works with local, state and outside jurisdictions to execute those warrants.

Who helps run Magistrate Court?

Pro-Temp Magistrate Judge Tracie Grove Macke also serves as court administrator and clerk of court. She handles the day-to-day operations of the court.

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What's the role as chief judge of Magistrate Court?

Chatham County Magistrate Court is one of five courts in the state that elects its magistrate judges. There are two full-time judges, Michael H. Barker and Moss, and two part-time judges, Bonzo Reddick and Macke. The part-time judges are appointed by the full-time judges.

How can residents access records from the Magistrate Court?

Residents can access records from Magistrate Court by visiting their court room clerk and filing out a form to request them. The person requesting records must have the case number.

Unlike State and Superior courts, Magistrate is not mandated to file records electronically, Moss said. However, residents can access online records held by the Chatham County Magistrate Court by visiting the Chatham County Court Case Search System and creating an account.

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How is a case appealed after it’s been in Magistrate Court?

Anyone involved in a civil suit or criminal case can appeal a ruling in Superior Court or State Court. Residents can file a de novo appeal, “which means that the whole case is tried over as if our case didn't even occur. It's a whole new bite at the apple,” Moss said.

Residents can learn more about the magistrate court in Chatham County by visiting: https://courts.chathamcountyga.gov/Magistrate/Judges.

Raisa is a Watchdog and Investigative Reporter for The Savannah Morning News. Contact her at rhabersham@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: EXPLAINER: What is the function of Magistrate Court?