Clayton County was established in 1854 and is located in the north-central portion of Georgia. The Census Bureau estimated that the county had a population of around 297,100 people. The county seat is Jonesboro.

Courts in Clayton County

The courts in Clayton County include the Superior Courts, State Courts, Juvenile Courts, Probate Courts, and  Magistrate Courts.

The Superior Court can hear all types of criminal and civil cases in Clayton County but typically only handles cases beyond the jurisdiction of other courts. Criminal cases heard by the Superior Court include felonies and lesser-included offenses. Civil cases heard by Superior Courts include cases relating to equity, title to real property, and domestic relations.

State Courts in Clayton County hear civil and criminal cases. They generally handle criminal cases related to misdemeanors and traffic offenses. They also handle civil cases that do not belong under the exclusive jurisdiction of Superior Courts, including landlord/tenant disputes, breach of contract cases, and equitable claims cases.

Juvenile Courts are the court of original jurisdiction in Clayton County when it comes to  cases involving children alleged to be delinquent, unruly, or in need of special care due to mental illness or “mental retardation.” These courts also handle cases involving judicial consent required by minors for marriage and juvenile traffic offenses.

Probate Courts have the exclusive original jurisdiction to handle cases involving the probate of wills, guardianships, conservatorships of minors, administration of estates, involuntary mental health commitments, and so on.

Lastly, Magistrate Courts also hear both civil and criminal cases. The courts handle preliminary hearings for criminal cases and county ordinance violations. However, these courts do not offer jury trials in criminal cases. If a jury trial is requested for the hearing of the case, it will be transferred to a Superior Court or State Court. The court’s civil jurisdiction covers most general civil claims with less than $15,000 in dispute.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Clayton County

The Office of the Clerk of the various courts is responsible for providing public access to records in the county. To access court records, interested persons can visit the concerned office in person and submit a records request form.

Alternatively, Clayton County runs an online database where court records can be accessed. However, cases filed before the court entered information in the Judicial Information System cannot be viewed online. 

Types of Public Court Records in Clayton  County

In Clayton County, the following types of court records are accessible to the public:

• Criminal Records
• Civil Records
• Family Records
• Magistrate Case Records

Confidential Court Records in Clayton County

Although court records are generally accessible to the public, records designated as confidential are only accessible to the parties involved in a case or to the attorneys upon the provision of valid identification. Examples of confidential court records include:

• Adoption Records
• Juvenile Court Records
• Probate Court Records
• Protection from Abuse Orders

Juvenile Delinquency in Clayton, GA

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Clayton 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, Clayton County, are focusing on family counseling and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Clayton County juvenile delinquency tallies will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Clayton County, GA

https://georgia.gov/

County Seat:	Jonesboro
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Home Rule
Year Organized:	1858
Total Square Miles:	144
2019 Population:	285,153
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00
County Contact:	121 S Mcdonough St Historical Courthouse Jonesboro , GA 30236-3651 https://www.claytoncountyga.gov/

Clayton County, GA Courts