The Magistrate Court of Fulton County exists to serve the citizens of Fulton County. Here, you may choose to represent yourself. If you choose to represent yourself, you are not required to have an attorney to appear in this court, which makes the Magistrate Court accessible for self-represented parties. No jury trials are held in Magistrate Court and our jurisdictional level is $15,000 in civil cases.
Mission Statement
The Magistrate Court of Fulton County works everyday to Inform, Engage and Empower Our Community.
Civil Division
The Civil Division handles matters such as Abandoned Motor Vehicles, Dispossessory (Landlord-Tenant) Actions, Small Claims, Garnishments, Weddings/Marriages, Personal Property Foreclosure.
Criminal Division
The Criminal Division handles matters such as Warrant Applications, First Appearance Hearings, Preliminary Hearings and Child Abandonment Warrant Applications. The Fulton County Magistrates also provide judicial assistance as requested by the Superior Court.
Judges
Below is the list of current judges for the Magistrate Court of Fulton County:
- Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk
- Judge Todd Ashley
- Judge Sheryl Barnes
- Judge Linda Borsky
- Judge Brandy Brooks
- Judge Kimberly Carey
- Judge Kimberly Charles
- Judge Katerina Collins
- Judge John De Foor, II
- Judge Chevelle Douglas
- Judge Ashley Drake
- Judge Elizabeth Emmanuel
- Judge Jeffrey W. Frazier
- Judge Elizabeth George
- Judge Elizabeth Higgins-Brooks
- Judge Holly Hughes
- Judge Paul Knighten
- Judge Catherine Koura
- Judge Ryan Locke
- Judge Nancy Mau
- Judge Jennifer Neal-Jones
- Judge Rashida Oliver
- Judge Debbie-Ann Rickman
- Judge Charles Simmons
- Judge Cheryl Treadwell
- Judge Reggie Williams
- Judge Sandra Witherspoon
- Judge Robert Wolf
Programs & Services
Below are some of the programs and services offered:
Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution
When parties in a case are in conflict, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services may assist in resolving the dispute. ADR is a variety of out-of-court processes that allow parties to resolve conflict peacefully and promote creative solutions.
Mediation, one of the more popular forms of ADR, is offered in all small claims cases, related or connected citizen-initiated warrant applicants and landlord-tenant matters.
Non-Complex Division, Superior Court Support
The Superior Court Non-Complex Case Management Order, established December 12, 2007, provides that certain non-violent felony cases are processed expeditiously through a 9 week case management process. Cases are monitored through timely indictment, opportunity for plea and arraignment, motions and trial.
Misdemeanor Mental Health Court (MMC)
In collaboration with several justice partners, in July 2018, Magistrate Court and State Court partnered to begin a pilot program that would offer a bridge to a safer release for misdemeanor citizen-defendants with mental health needs detained in the jail.
MMC diverts appropriate defendants out of prosecution and into community-based treatment as well as offers those defendants placed on probation the necessary support to maintain themselves in the community and reduce their risk of recidivism.
Court Resources
The Self-Help Center is located in the Justice Center Tower in room TG300 and is dedicated to providing informed access, information, and support services for those having legal matters in the State and Magistrate Courts of Fulton County.
Location & Contact Information
136 Pryor St., SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-613-5160
