Marietta Municipal Court
Marietta Municipal Court, located in Marietta, GA, handles a variety of cases including misdemeanor offenses and traffic tickets. This court is also where you go to post bail if a loved one is arrested for violating a local Marietta ordinance, and it can provide historical records for certain misdemeanor offenses that occurred in Marietta.
Read on for attorney Maha Amircani’s complete guide to the Marietta Municipal Court system.
Author: Maha Amircani, Founder, Amircani Law, LLC
Maha represents clients in state and federal court litigation as well as administrative proceedings. Her practice specializes in the areas of personal injury, criminal defense, and real estate closings. Published on: May 16, 2019. Last updated on: June 10, 2019.
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A Trusted Marietta Municipal Court Lawyer
Marietta Municipal Court
The City of Marietta Municipal Court is just one of over 400 local courts of the Georgia Judicial System. Its jurisdiction is limited to misdemeanor crimes of shoplifting of $500 or less; ownership of marijuana (less than 1 oz) and traffic violations such as DUI or super speeder tickets.
The court adjudicates violations of ordinances including parking and vandalism crimes. Civil penalties are also imposed by municipal court for photo-enforced red light violations and school bus stop arm violations.
Many of the cases heard at Marietta Municipal Court seem minor, and so people may be tempted to handle their situation on their own. However, depending on your individual circumstances, even minor violations of the law can have a serious impact.
To be on the safe side, consult with a local attorney like Maha Amircani who will advise you the right course of action to take.
Marietta Municipal Court GA
Marietta Municipal Court retains the ability to hold non-jury trials, hear guilty pleas, and sentence offenders in the manner described by law.
Sentences imposed by this court are limited to a fine of up to $1,000 per offense and 12 months. However, sentences for multiple offenses may run consecutively to one another or to another case. These sentences may be served on probation.
Marietta Courthouse
Marietta’s municipal courthouse is located at 240 Lemon St NE, Marietta, GA 30060. They can be contacted at 770-794-5400. The clerk of court’s hours are 8am-5pm Monday-Friday.
Marietta GA Courthouse
Marietta’s municipal court is comprised of seven divisions. Each division works together to perform the duties of the court. These divisions include:
- Judges
- Prosecutors
- Clerk of Court
- Probation
- Court Services
- Court Security
- Court Administration
Marietta Court
Marietta Municipal Court provides a variety of services to City of Marietta residents and visitors.
City of Marietta Court
These services include:
- Community Service: The Court may order community service as a condition of your sentence.
- Court Interpreter Services: Language interpreters are readily available. Your case will not be discovered until an interpreter is made available to you.
- By posting a bond, posting Bond for Jail Release Individuals detained during a traffic or local ordinance violation may be eligible for discharge.
- Pretrial Diversion Program: The Pretrial Diversion Program is intended to permit an opportunity to particular requirements/conditions that are complete to first-time offenders for certain offenses and upon completion, the offenses will be nolle prosequi.
- Records: You may ask for copies of documents or a records search.
Marietta Municipal Court Public Access
The State of Georgia Court Common Records Retention Program requires courts to retain files related to traffic and local ordinance violations for 6 years; 20 years for the crimes of Driving Under the Influence, Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana and Shoplifting. The retention time begins on the date of completion. When the compulsory retention time has expired case documents are destroyed.
If you are having difficulty acquiring necessary court records, contact a local lawyer familiar with the Marietta court system for assistance.
Marietta GA Public Records
Record searches will only provide case information for offenses which occurred inside the city boundaries of Marietta and are of a misdemeanor nature. This record search won’t show arrests for any other offenses.
Marietta Court Records
To obtain records searches for arrest types and/or convictions other than those described above, you should contact the Cobb County State Court or Superior Court or request a criminal background check by Georgia Bureau of Investigation. To request a listing search/copies of documents, please complete a Records Request Form (PDF) and email the completed form to [email protected].
Marietta GA Court
The Marietta Municipal Court handles a wide variety of misdemeanor cases. However, more complex cases are handled by the Cobb County Courts.
Marietta Traffic Court
Numerous traffic violations are handled by the Marietta Municipal Court. If you have received a traffic citation from the Marietta Police Department or Georgia State Patrol within the city limits of Marietta, you can discuss the case with a judge or prosecutor. The judge will discuss the case during court and according to laws governing such communications. The prosecutor is part-time and not available to discuss cases except during court and only after you have waived your rights to an attorney.
If you fail to appear in traffic court:
- A warrant for your arrest may be issued.
- An additional contempt of court fine may be incurred.
- Your driver’s license may be suspended.
- You may receive notice of license suspension or warrant issued for failure to appear.
If you are arrested in Atlanta, Marietta, or the surrounding area for failure to appear in court, contact an attorney immediately.
Probate Court Marietta GA
The city of Marietta, Georgia does not have its own probate court. All probate court matters in the city of Marietta are handled by the Cobb County Probate Court.
The use of the Probate Court is to make sure that guardianships and estates are administered in accordance with the law. Controversies involving estates and guardianships are determined by the Judge of the Probate Court by conducting trials with and without a jury.
The Probate Court of Cobb County has jurisdiction in the following matters:
- Probate of Wills
- Appointment and removal of executors and administrators
- Sale and disposition of estate property
- Appointment and removal of guardians of minors and incapacitated adults
- Audit of returns of executors, administrators, and guardians
- Commitments of the mentally ill, alcohol and drug abusers
- Issuance of marriage licenses
- Issuance of weapons carry licenses
- Miscellaneous services such as the issuance of fireworks permits, recording of elected officials’ oaths and bonds, and certificates of residence
Marietta GA Municipal Court Lawyer
If you have been called to appear in Marietta Municipal Court, it’s sometimes tempting to attend court alone, but this can be a critical mistake. Many individuals don’t think about how serious the consequences of being found guilty in a municipal matter can be. A Marietta Municipal Court defendant may be required to pay substantial fines and may even be looking at a sentence in the county jail.
City of Marietta Municipal Court Attorney
If you’ve never made a court appearance before, this isn’t the type of situation where it is sensible to learn through trial and error. You need experienced, competent counsel. Legal representation in Marietta Municipal Court can cost less than you would imagine. The goal of a defense attorney is to get the indictments against you discounted or reduced, so hiring legal counsel can be regarded as a bargain.
Having to appear in Marietta Municipal Court can be distressing. However, a seasoned defense attorney can guide you through every step of the way so you can have peace of mind. You don’t have to go through this alone, so contact the experts at Amircani Law for a free consultation today.