City of Americus Municipal Court

General Information & Links

119 South Lee Street

Americus, GA  31709

Phone 229 924-3677 

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UPDATED CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 STATEMENT 

(Updated January 26th, 2021)

The Court will not be holding hearings for the months of January and February, 2021 with the exception of the February 19th Attorney Day which remains as scheduled.

The Court is not closed and will be open and available for emergency and other necessary matters.  The Court will resume regular hearings in March, 2021. 

All hearing scheduled for January and February 2021 will be rescheduled and a new summons will be mailed to each person.

The following guidelines must be followed by all persons entering the courtroom for City of Americus Municipal Court Proceedings to protect the health of litigants, lawyers, judges, court personnel and the public.

·       Persons summonsed for court will only be allowed to enter the facility at their scheduled time.  Those arriving early will be required to wait in their vehicle or outside the facility separated from other attendees.

·       Only defendants and/or their attorney will be allowed to attend the court hearing.  Exceptions:

Ø Defendants 21 and under may have one parent or guardian attend the court hearing with them, and,

Ø The general public so long as there is space in the general public section.

·       All persons entering the facility must submit to a scan of their body temperature.  You may also be asked certain health questions.  Depending on the answers to these questions your court date may be reset or other arrangements may be made.

·       All persons entering the facility must wear a mask or face covering at all times.  No exceptions.

·       All persons entering the facility must maintain a distance of at least six feet from all other persons, whether standing or seated.  Courtroom benches are marked to show allowable seating areas.

·       No more than 20 people may be seated in the courtroom gallery at one time.  Preference will be given to individuals who have been summonsed for court, however some seats will be reserved for the public on a first come, first served basis.

·       Hand sanitizing stations are located at both entrances to the courtroom and persons entering the courtroom must sanitize their hands before entering.

·       Public restrooms are currently closed.

·       The courtroom remains open to the public as required by law.  The above guidelines are intended to be in compliance with public health guidance and with the requirements of the United States and Georgia Constitutions and court rules regarding this emergency.

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The Municipal Court of Americus is the court of original jurisdiction for city ordinance violations, state traffic offenses, and various other state offenses.  Examples of the types of cases handled by the court include traffic tickets, driving under the influence of alcohol, fleeing and eluding the police, possession or consumption of alcohol by a minor, curfew violations, possession of marijuana, firearms violations, abandoned vehicles, and animal control citations.   

Your citation or bond papers are the key to understanding when and where you need to be to handle your case in the City of Americus Municipal Court.  READ THEM AND BRING THEM TO COURT.

Some tickets and citations can be paid prior to your court date without you appearing in court. Instructions on paying these tickets and citations can be found on the Fines Payable without an Appearance page or by clicking here Fines Payable with out an Appearance .

The court date on your citation, ticket, or bond is for your initial appearance or arraignment.  At this hearing, you can enter your plea to the charges against you. Guilty pleas will be disposed of at that time.  Pleas of not guilty will be put on a trial day or contested day which is usually two to four weeks later.  At the contested hearing the officer will be present as will any witnesses that the officer has subpoenaed.  You may also subpoena witnesses and bring evidence to show the Judge at the contested hearing.  Remember, unless you have paid your citation prior to the court date on the citation or bond you must attend court on the date on the citation or bond even if you want to contest the matter.

IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR FOR COURT OR IF YOUR PAYMENT DOES NOT REACH THE COURT CLERK'S OFFICE BEFORE THE COURT DATE,

YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE MAY BE SUSPENDED AND/OR A WARRANT MAY BE ISSUED FOR YOUR ARREST.    

Links to Further Information