Richmond County is one of Georgia’s oldest counties. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, its population is over 200,000. The county’s government is joint with that of Augusta City, its seat of government.

Courts in Richmond County

The Superior Court for the Augusta Judicial Circuit serves Richmond County. The court has jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases arising from the county. However, it focuses on matters beyond the authority of other courts. Matters within the exclusive jurisdiction of the court include cases on title to land, divorce, adoptions, equity, and felony offenses.

The Superior Court shares jurisdiction with the county’s Juvenile Court over cases on child custody, support, and termination of parental rights. The Richmond County Juvenile Court handles matters involving children under the age of 17, such as delinquency and dependency cases.

Furthermore, the county is also home to a Probate Court. Matters within the court’s jurisdiction include wills, administrations, guardianships, conservatorships, and other cases pertaining to a deceased estate.

The State Court of Richmond County handles applications for warrants, traffic violations, and misdemeanor cases. Its civil jurisdiction encompasses all claims other than those within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior Court.

Richmond County also has a Magistrate Court and a Civil Court. The Magistrate Court has jurisdiction over minor offenses, county ordinance violations, and civil cases involving $15,000 or less. Meanwhile, the Civil Court handles cases where the plaintiff’s claim is less than $45,000.

Additionally, some cities in Richmond County have Municipal Courts that handle municipal ordinance violations, minor offenses, and preliminary hearings. 

Where to Find Public Court Records in Richmond County

Where to access court records in Richmond County depends on the court that handled the case to which the record relates. The Superior, State, and Juvenile Courts have the same Clerk who maintains the records and grants access to them upon appropriate requests made by qualified persons. Anyone can request records of the Superior and State Court from the clerk’s office in person or by mail. Also, civil and criminal case dockets of the courts are available on the online docket feature.  

Likewise, records of the Probate, Magistrate, Civil, and Municipal Courts are obtainable by contacting the courts or visiting their location. Magistrate and Civil Court dockets are also available online. 

Types of Public Court Records in Richmond County

Court records include information, documents, and materials received or generated by a court while handling a case. Generally, Richmond County court records are considered public except when declared confidential by law.  Common examples of public court records are:

• Civil case records
• Misdemeanor records
• Traffic case records
• Felony records

Confidential Court Records in Richmond County

Federal and state laws restrict public access to certain court records in Richmond County. Such records are considered confidential and can only be accessed by designated persons or bodies. Some examples of confidential court records are:

• Records of juvenile cases
• Records sealed by court order
• Records containing trade secrets
• Child abuse and neglect records

Juvenile Delinquency in Richmond, GA

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

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

Government of Richmond County, GA

https://georgia.gov/

County Seat:	Augusta
Government Type:	City-County Consolidation
Authority:	Home Rule
Year Organized:	1777
Total Square Miles:	329
2019 Population:	201,800
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00
County Contact:	530 Greene St City/County Building Augusta , GA 30901-4480 http://www.augustaga.gov

Richmond County, GA Courts