The Douglasville Municipal Court is the judicial branch of the City of Douglasville.
The mission of the Municipal Court is to promote justice and provide prompt, courteous service in an efficient, professional manner while being dedicated to the principals of impartiality, fairness, and integrity.
Court Services includes nine full-time employees, four part-time employees, the court administrator, the solicitor, and two judges.
Court Services is responsible for processing all traffic citations and misdemeanor state law violations issued by the Police Department, including ordinance violations issued by the Community Development’s Code Compliance and Animal Control, processing all violations of probation issued by Judicial Correction Services, preparing dockets, and collecting fines and fees.
In December 2022, Douglasville City Council voted to create a new Environmental Court to enforce the City Code of Ordinances regarding matters of property maintenance. Here is the resolution creating the Douglasville Environmental Court(PDF, 2MB).
Court Services holds separate sessions for traffic citations, code compliance citations, and violations of probation. Traffic/Misdemeanor Court sessions are held for various traffic infractions such as speeding tickets, suspended license, DUI, Shoplifting, and Possession of Marijuana less than one ounce. Code Compliance Court sessions address property maintenance, animal control, and other environmental degradation cases.
Probation Violation Court sessions bring back probation cases for review and defendants that have violated conditions of their court orders.
Pay Citation Online
Pay Your Citation Online
Note: there is a 4% service fee charged by a third-party company to cover the cost of this convenient and secure online payment service. The fee for phone and in-person credit card payments is also 4%. There is no surcharge for cash payments.
Court Services can receive in-person payments from 8 AM to 4:30 PM – Monday thru Friday at the Douglasville Public Safety Complex, 2083 Fairburn Road.
Please bring government id for verification if paying by credit or debit card.
For information about court dates, contact Court Services at: 678-293-1858.
District Attorney
The Douglas County District Attorney's Office handles the prosecution of all felony level cases made by law enforcement in the city and the county. For questions, please contact the D.A.'s Office at the Douglas County District Attorney page, or at 770-920-7292.
Victim's Rights
Georgia law gives victims of crime the right to be notified of court proceedings; offender release dates; and when the offender is placed on probation or parole. Victims may also be qualified to receive compensation for injuries sustained.
To be eligible, the victim must give a current address and phone number. Post office boxes are not adequate for the report. Victims may also be asked to give their addresses and phone numbers to any of the following:
- The Douglasville Police Department;
- The Douglas County Sheriff's Office;
- The Douglas County District Attorney's Office;
- The Georgia Department of Corrections; and
- The State Board of Pardons and Parole.
For further information on victim rights, please call the following:
Solicitor General
The Solicitor General's Office handles all misdemeanor criminal and traffic offenses generated by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and Douglasville Police court cases, which are bound over. That office can be contacted at the Douglas County Solicitor General page or at 770-489-5238.
FAQs
Can a friend or family member pay my fine for me?
Yes, a friend or family member can pay your fine if the offense is payable. You may also use our online payment service to pay your fine.
Can I pay my ticket before the court date and keep from having to go to court?
Yes. You may pay the fine any time up to 24 hours before the court date and avoid having to come to court, as long as the violation is not a Must-appear (mandatory) offense.
To inquire about the fine amount; you may call Court Services (678) 293-1858 or make an online payment.
Please have your driver’s license number and/or your citation available when accessing the online payment system.
You can pay your citation by phone at 678-941-4400.
Court Services can receive in-person payments from 8 AM to 4:30 PM – Monday thru Friday at the Douglasville Public Safety Complex, 2083 Fairburn Road.
Please bring government id for verification if paying by credit or debit card.in the Douglasville Public Safety Complex, 2083 Fairburn Road.
Note: there is a 4% service fee charged by a third-party company, Government Windows, to cover the cost of this convenient and secure online payment service. The fee for phone and in-person credit card payments is 4%. There is no surcharge for cash payments.
Courtroom Conduct
- All cell phones must be turned off or put on vibrate/mute before entering the courtroom
- No food or drinks are allowed
- No hats
- Sunglasses should be removed
- Parents with noisy children or babies may be asked to step outside until their case is called
- Proper dress attire is expected- no halter tops. No clothing or ornamentation that promotes illegal substances, displays profanities, advocates, promotes, or suggests illegal activity.
How do I get a copy of my police report? Is there a cost for the police report?
You will need to call the Douglasville Police Records Department at 770-920-3010.
You may pick up a copy of your report at the Police Department, which is also located at 2083 Fairburn Road, Douglasville, GA.
Reports are usually completed within 5 business days.
Accident reports are $2.00 and Incident reports are 10 cents a page.
How do I re-set my case?
You are allowed one re-set from Court Services. You must come to our office 2083 Fairburn Road, Douglasville, GA. 30135, between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday to sign for a new court date, no exceptions.
I received a citation in the City of Douglasville. What do I do?
The court date and time are listed on the citation regarding your appearance. This is an Arraignment date. You will be asked to enter a plea at that time. Please be on time for your appointed court date as the judge will give you a lot of valuable information at the opening of the court session.
Metal Detector in Use
Before entering the Court Room, you will be required to walk through a metal detector at which time your bags or purse may be searched. If you have weapons such as guns, knives, pepper spray, or tools you will not be granted entry into the courtroom. If you have a Pacemaker do not proceed through the metal detector, please ask for a hand search. Please make sure you have your official government id and/or your driver’s license on your person before entering court.
What are my plea options?
The information listed below is not legal advice as you have many rights available to you.
- Plea of Guilty: An admission of guilt. Depending on the offense, the plea may also apply points to your driver’s history or have other adverse effects.
- Plea of Not Guilty: By pleading not guilty, you may request a bench trial or, if applicable, you may request your case be bound over to Douglas County for a jury trial.
- Plea of Nolo Contendere: (Often known as Nolo or No Contest) this plea is only available once every (5) years and is discretionary. This plea requires your appearance in court.
What if I miss my court date?
If you fail to appear (FTA) for court and have not paid your fine prior to your court date as indicated on your citation, you will be subjected to serious penalties.
Your privilege to drive (license) may be suspended by the Department of Driver Services (DDS) and the court may issue a warrant for your arrest.
What if I want to plead not guilty and have a trial?
If you plead not guilty, you will be given the option of having a jury trial in Douglas County State Court or a non-jury by our judge here in Municipal court. Your trial will not be on your arraignment date. You will be given a trial date so all witnesses, including the officer may be subpoenaed to testify during the trial.
What is a "Must appear" offense?
"Must appear" offenses are those for which a defendant is required to appear before the Judge in court. The following offenses must appear in court:
- Driving without valid license
- Suspended plate registration
- No insurance
- Possession 1 ounce or less of marijuana
- Theft by shoplifting
- Reckless driving
- D.U.I/Alcohol
- Driving while license suspended or revoked
- Speeding if 30 mph or more over speed limit
- Speeding if driver under 21
- Minor in possession of alcohol
- Sale of alcohol to a minor
All City code violations are mandatory appearance in court.
What type of documents are needed to get a new court date?
Court staff may grant the first continuance without documentation as long as it is not a “Must-appear.”
For cases that require a mandatory appearance
You must appear on your court date to ask for a continuance. In certain circumstances, court staff may issue a continuance for a mandatory appearance upon presentation of one of the following documents:
- Funeral documents
- Medical documents
- Proof of incarceration
- Notice to appear in another court on the same date and time
- Military deployment
For cases that do not require a mandatory appearance
If your case has already been issued a continuance, you must appear in court to request another continuance. In certain circumstances, court staff may issue a second continuance upon presentation of one of the documents listed above.
Will the court appoint an attorney to represent me?
Yes, if you are indigent and meet the requirements, the court may appoint an attorney to represent you. The court requires completion of an application and financial statement and will make a decision upon review of these documents. You may ask for an application when you appear for your arraignment and will need to complete it that day at court.