Cherokee County was created in 1831 and was named after the native tribe that originally inhabited the area. As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 266,620 residents and a median household income of $99,234. The county’s seat is Canton City.

Courts in Cherokee County

The Superior Court of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit is the trial court with the widest authority in Cherokee County. It has jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters in the county but typically handles those outside the jurisdiction of the other courts. The Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce cases, felony cases involving jury trials, and disputes over land titles. The court also has a family division that handles domestic matters, including child support, custody, child abuse, domestic violence, and paternity. However, juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, and other matters relating to minors fall within the jurisdiction of the Cherokee County Juvenile Court. Likewise, the Cherokee Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all probate matters, including cases on wills, administration of estate, mental health commitment, and guardianships.

The Cherokee County State Court hears misdemeanor cases and traffic violations. The court also has civil jurisdiction over matters that are not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior Court. Meanwhile, the Cherokee County Magistrate Court handles civil claims of $15,000 or less, minor offenses, landlord-tenant cases, ordinance violations, and deposit account fraud cases. The court does not hold jury trials and parties often argue their case without an attorney.

Municipal Courts operate at the city level. They exercise jurisdiction over municipal ordinance violations, shoplifting cases, and cases on possession of one ounce or less of marijuana. They also issue criminal warrants and conduct preliminary hearings. 

Where to Find Public Court Records in Cherokee County

The Cherokee County Clerk of Courts keeps custody of court records in the county. These records are available online on the county’s case search portal. Court dockets are freely accessible, but obtaining copies of documents requires payment of the relevant fees. Interested persons can also submit record requests at the Clerk’s office in person or via mail. To access records of the Municipal Courts, contact the relevant courthouse.   

Types of Public Court Records in Cherokee County

Court records in Cherokee County are information, documents, and materials relating to cases handled by the courts. They include:

• Pleadings and motions of the parties
• Decisions and orders of the court
• Evidence tendered by the parties
• Transcript
• Docket information

Cherokee County court records are considered public unless declared confidential by law. 

Confidential Court Records in Cherokee County

Confidential court records are exempted from public access by law. Some examples in Cherokee County are:

• Juvenile records
• Records sealed by court order
• Records disclosing personal information such as social security numbers and account numbers
• Probation and parole records

Juvenile Delinquency in Cherokee, GA

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Cherokee County, juvenile delinquency offenses are on the rise. There are many reasons for the inflation in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Georgia often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of charges, and other family matters.

A lot of counties, including, Cherokee County, are focusing on family counseling and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Cherokee County juvenile delinquency tallies will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Cherokee County, GA

https://georgia.gov/

County Seat:	Canton
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Home Rule
Year Organized:	1832
Total Square Miles:	434
2019 Population:	247,573
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00
County Contact:	90 North Street County Courthouse Canton , GA 30114-2724 http://www.cherokeega.com

Cherokee County, GA Courts