Welcome to Burke County, Georgia

Magistrate Court

cynthiaCYNTHIA KELLEY

CHIEF MAGISTRATE
P.O. Box 401
Waynesboro, Georgia 30830

Phone: 706-554-4281
Fax: 706-554-8772

OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday 8:00 - 5:00

VIDEO TUTORIAL AND FORMS

Click on the buttons below to watch short videos to learn more about the Magistrate Court Processes or Fill-out Forms to file on-line or In-person:

Video Tutorials     Small Claims      Evictions    Forms for In-person filing

WELCOME TO MAGISTRATE COURT

Welcome to the Burke County Magistrate Court website. The Burke County Magistrate Court exists to serve the citizens of Burke County. We are pleased to provide the information on this website as a service to our citizens to be used as a general guide when dealing with legal matters before this Court.

The Magistrate Court is a limited jurisdiction Court of Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction that was constitutionally created in 1983. The jurisdiction is found in O.C.G.A. 15-10-2, Georgia Code, and the Uniform Rules of the Magistrate Court.  The Courts purpose, mission and goal is to provide the citizens of Burke County a high degree of judicial professionalism by providing a systematic, efficient and accurate court system, where all citizens and litigants of the county can expect a fair and impartial treatment with all aspects of the court and in a timely manner.

The Magistrate Court handles a variety of matters, including civil claims of $15,000.00 or less, dispossessory proceedings (landlord/tenant), the issuance of arrest and/or search warrants, bond hearings, preliminary hearings, county ordinance violations, personal property foreclosures, deposit account fraud (bad checks), and garnishments. The Magistrate Court does not hold jury trials and is not a court of record. Any appeals from judgments in civil cases are made to the Superior Court. 

The Criminal Jurisdiction includes issuing arrest warrant and search warrants, good behavior warrants, conduct pre-warrant hearings, first appearance hearings, bond hearings, and preliminary hearings. The Court presides over and conduct trials for county ordinance violations. 

It is our goal to provide helpful, friendly services to the people of Burke County, while ensuring that everyone is treated with fairness and respect. On behalf of the judges and court staff, we trust you will find the website a useful and convenient tool in obtaining information.

Sincerely,

Cynthia Kelley
Chief Magistrate Judge

Alternative Dispute Resolution Program (ADR)

https://www.augustaga.gov/adr
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