Court System
Clerk of Dougherty Superior Court
Clerk of Dougherty Superior Court - Evonne Mull
Chief Deputy Clerk - Linda Blanchard
Dougherty Superior Court
Dougherty Superior Court
Chief Judge: Willie Lockette
Judges: Stephen Goss, Denise Marshall
225 Pine Ave., Ste. 123
Albany, GA 31701
(229) 431-2198
The Superior Court of Dougherty County is the highest level trial court in Dougherty County. It has exclusive jurisdiction in felony cases, cases respecting title to land, divorce cases and equity cases. The Court's daily functions involve holding hearings in cases pending before the Court, conducting bench as well as jury trials and handling the administrative aspects of the Court. Hearings must be scheduled at the request of the attorneys representing parties to law suits, court orders must be issued at the hearings, trial dates must be set, judgments must be entered and sentences must be imposed and executed as part of the ordinary business of the Court in handling its annual caseload of approximately 4950 cases.
Also included in the Court's responsibilities are the duties to oversee all of the other courts in the County, insure that indigents are provided with legal counsel in criminal proceedings, oversee the operation of the Dougherty County Law Library, appoint Jury Commissioners, and provide juries with their necessities.
Probate Court
Judge Nancy Stephenson
225 Pine Ave.
Albany, Ga 31701
(229) 431-2102
(229) 434-2694 (fax)
Under Georgia law, the Probate Court is responsible for providing a large scope of services to the public. These services include probating wills, appointment of administrators, appointing guardians for minors and incapacitated adults, holding hearings to constrain the mentally ill and substance abusers, issuance of marriage licenses and officiating over marriages. The Court also tries and is authorized to hold jury trials in all cases involving contested issues relating to estates and guardianships.
The Probate Court also has the responsibility for docketing, filing and microfilming all documents relating to the above legal matters. The Court also issues firearm permits and many lesser duties such as taking oaths of public officials, recording bonds and issuing certified copies of various records. Although the Probate Court is not by law required to maintain vital records (certificates of births and deaths) the Probate Court does so, as well as issuing certified copies of same under a contractual arrangement with the State.
State Court
Judge: John Salter
(229) 431-2152
(229) 431-3282 (fax)
The function of the State Court is to provide a forum for the resolution of disputes between individuals or between the state and individuals. This Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors (crimes punishable by twelve months incarceration or less) and civil cases (unlimited in dollar amount) concurrently with the Superior Court except cases involving divorce, titles to land, and equity which are reserved exclusively to Superior Court.
Magistrate Court
Chief Judge: Baxter Howell
Judges: Robert Revell and Victoria Darrisaw
(229) 431-3216
(229) 434-2692 (fax)
The Magistrate Court has jurisdiction to issue warrants for all criminal offenses, hold committal hearings, issue citations for bad checks and violations of zoning ordinances, and issue good behavior bonds. The Magistrate Court also has civil jurisdiction on cases up to $15,000.00 if exclusive jurisdiction is not vested in the Superior Court. Garnishments may also be filed in the Magistrate Court. The Magistrate Court issues subpoenas to compel attendance of witnesses, conducts hearings and trials and, when requested, Magistrates serve as judges in other Courts. Magistrates also perform wedding ceremonies.
Juvenile Court
Judge: Herbie L. Solomon
(229) 431-2162
(229) 434-2665 (fax)
By law, the Juvenile Court was established to assist, protect, and restore, if possible, as secure law-abiding members of society those juveniles whose well being is threatened. Each child coming within the jurisdiction of the Court shall receive the care, guidance, and control that will be conducive to his welfare and the best interests of the state.
The Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over juvenile matters and is the sole court for initiating action concerning any child under 17 years of age:
who is alleged to be delinquent (except in capital offenses);
who is alleged to be unruly;
who is alleged to be deprived;
who is alleged to be in need of treatment or commitment as a mentally ill or retarded child;
who is alleged to have committed a juvenile traffic offense;
The Court has jurisdiction involving any proceedings:
for obtaining judicial consent to the marriage, employment or enlistment in the armed services of any person if such consent is required by law;
transfer of juveniles through Interstate Compact;
for the termination of the legal parent-child relationship, excluding adoption;
prior notice to a parent or guardian relative to an un-emancipated minor's decision to seek an abortion.
The Juvenile Court has an annual caseload of over 2200 petitions that must be processed and prepared for hearings. Collecting restitution for victims, handling traffic fines, and insuring that indigent juveniles have legal counsel is a routine part of the Court's daily function.
The Court also provides a probation staff of six (6) that counsel and coordinate the treatment of each juvenile under the jurisdiction of the Court. A variety of community based programs are offered.
District Attorney
Gregory W. Edwards, District Attorney
(229) 431-3233
(229) 431-2167 (fax)
Click Here For District Attorney Website
Public Defender Office
Leisa Terry, CPD
(229) 483-6240
This office is responsible for an Indigent Defense Program as established by the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council for those persons unable to afford legal representation in criminal cases. This division will determine eligibility of those individuals requesting a Public Defender.