Superior Court

The Superior Court is responsible for handling criminal cases, including both felony and misdemeanor charges, the primary court for jury trials, civil disputes, real estate matters, and family and domestic relations issues. Jones County belongs to the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit which is one of the largest circuits in the state. It also includes the counties of Baldwin, Putnam, Morgan, Greene, Wilkinson, Hancock, and Jasper.

Our Superior Court judges are elected officials who rotate through each county in our circuit to hear the various cases on their docket. The District Attorney's Office, lead by the elected District Attorney and assisted by their appointed Assistant District Attorneys, prosecute criminal cases. The Public Defender's Office, lead by an appointed Public Defender who appoints Assistant Public Defenders, provides legal services for defendants accused of crimes who cannot afford private legal services. The Clerk's Office provides logistical and administrative support to all those involved through maintaining official records, scheduling court appearances, and various other duties.

Meet the Superior Court Judges of the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit!

Chief Judge Alison. T. Burleson

Click here to contact a Judge's office.

Meet the District Attorney's Office!

DA T. Wright Barksdale III

Click here to visit the Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney's Office.

The Jones County and Georgia Court Systems

Juvenile Court

Juvenile Court handles a wide range of cases involving children under the age of 17. These cases include criminal offenses, traffic offenses, status offenses, CHINS (Children In Need of Services) cases, certain custody and guardianship cases, and others. For more information about the juvenile justice process of youthful offenders, please visit https://djj.georgia.gov/criminal-justice-process-juveniles.

Meet the Juvenile Judge and District Attorneys Office!

Judge Kelli C. Rutherford

Click here to contact the Juvenile Judge's Office

Probate Court

Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction in probate of wills, administration of estates, appointment of guardians, involuntary hospitalizations, issuance of pistol licenses, marriage licenses and handles certain traffic offenses.

Magistrate Court

Magistrate Court can hear civil cases involving claims of $15,000 or less, handles dispossessories (evictions), and violations of county ordinances. Magistrate court is also responsible for issuing arrest warrants for law enforcement and citizens who file arrest warrant applications based on probably cause.

State Court

Some counties in Georgia have state courts that handle misdemeanor cases, traffic offenses, and certain civil cases in which the Superior Court does not have exclusive jurisdiction. Jones County does not currently use a state court. Instead, the Superior, Probate, and Magistrate Courts selectively handle criminal, civil, traffic, and code violations base don their jurisdiction.

Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court

The Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court hear various types of cases typically involving appeals. The Georgia Court of Appeals will hear cases that involve trial court cases in which the Georgia Supreme Court does not have exclusive Jurisdiction. Most notably, the Georgia Supreme Court will hear, but is not limited to, issues involving capital offense convictions, Constitutional issues, and habeas corpus cases.