Court Administrator

The Office of the Superior and State Court Administrator provides administrative support services to the Superior and State Courts of the Circuit. The types of services provided include budget and financial management, personnel services, purchasing and contracting, liaison with other branches and agencies of government and with the public. Divisions within the Office manage and coordinate the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program, the Divorcing Parents Seminar, the DUI Court and the Clayton County Law Library.

The Superior Court of the Clayton Judicial Circuit is a trial court of general jurisdiction which has exclusive constitutional authority over the following:

• Those involving title to land;
• Divorce;
• Equity;
• Declaratory judgment;
• Habeas corpus;
• Mandamus;
• Quo warranto and prohibition;
• Adoptions; and
• Felony cases prosecuted by the District Attorney’s office

Except for certain specifically excluded probate and juvenile matters, the Superior Court may exercise jurisdiction in other types of cases concurrently with the limited jurisdiction courts of the Circuit. The Superior Court is also authorized to correct errors made by lower courts by direct appeal in some cases or by issuing writs of certiorari. The court conducts jury trials and sits at Jonesboro.

The State Court of the Clayton Judicial Circuit is a trial court of limited jurisdiction. It has authority over the following types of cases:

Civil actions without regard to the amount in controversy except those actions in which exclusive jurisdiction is vested in the Superior Court; Misdemeanor and traffic violations prosecuted by the Solicitor’s Office; The review of decisions of lower courts as provided by law.

Corporations may appear only by attorney, in accordance with State law. A rule nisi must accompany any motion filed in State Court. Requests for take downs by a court reporter should be made in advance to the assigned judge.

The court conducts jury trials and sits at Jonesboro, Georgia.