Chatham County Detention Center Criminal Court Process

Last updated by Elizabeth Boyle

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Criminal Court Process for Chatham County Georgia

Chatham County, Georgia Criminal Courts: From Arrest in Savannah to Final Disposition

Chatham County is the most populous county on the Georgia coast, an urban and suburban county centered on Savannah, its county seat and the state's oldest city. Because it is home to roughly 300,000 people, a busy port and a heavy tourist trade, its criminal courts handle a large volume of cases every week. Chatham is also one of the few Georgia counties that makes up a judicial circuit entirely by itself. The Eastern Judicial Circuit covers only Chatham County, so the Superior Court judges, the District Attorney and the Circuit Public Defender all work solely on Chatham cases. Below the Superior Court, which hears felonies, sit a State Court for misdemeanors, a Magistrate Court that issues warrants and conducts preliminary hearings, the Recorder's Court of Chatham County for traffic, ordinance and many lower-level citations, and separate municipal courts in smaller cities such as Pooler, Garden City, Port Wentworth, Bloomingdale, Thunderbolt and Tybee Island.

Most criminal business is concentrated in downtown Savannah:

  • Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court, 400 W. Oglethorpe Avenue, Suite 178, Savannah, GA 31401, (912) 434-8920
  • State Court of Chatham County, Clerk's Office, Chatham County Judicial Center, 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401, (912) 652-7224
  • Chatham County Magistrate Court, 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401, (912) 652-7181
  • Recorder's Court of Chatham County, 133 Montgomery Street, 1st Floor, Savannah, GA 31401, (912) 652-7425
  • Eastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney, 133 Montgomery Street, 6th Floor, Savannah, GA 31401, (912) 652-7308
  • Eastern Judicial Circuit Public Defender, 222 W. Oglethorpe Avenue, Suite 130, Savannah, GA 31401, (912) 447-4901
  • Chatham County Misdemeanor Defense Office, 133 Montgomery Street, Suite 505, Savannah, GA 31401, (912) 652-3091
  • Pooler Municipal Court, 100 Southwest Highway 80, Pooler, GA 31322, (912) 748-7333
  • Garden City Municipal Court, 100 Central Avenue, Garden City, GA 31408, (912) 963-2708
  • Tybee Island Municipal Court, 78 Van Horne Drive, Tybee Island, GA 31328, (912) 786-5635

The State, Magistrate and Recorder's courts share the Montgomery Street courthouse complex, while the Superior Court clerk works from the Gadsden courthouse on Oglethorpe Avenue. The paperwork you received at release will name your court, courtroom and date. Choose a category below to follow a case of that type.

Misdemeanor (for example, petty theft, a first DUI, simple battery, trespass)

Shoplifting at a Savannah mall, a DUI stop on Abercorn Street, a bar fight on River Street: charges like these are misdemeanors, and in Chatham County they usually travel one of two routes. A citation for traffic or an ordinance violation, or a minor offense written as a ticket, often starts in Recorder's Court or in the municipal court of the city where it happened. A misdemeanor that is formally charged goes to the State Court of Chatham County, where the elected Solicitor-General prosecutes by filing an "accusation" instead of seeking an indictment. Because the lower courts do not seat juries, anyone who wants a jury trial in a municipal or Recorder's Court case can demand one, and the case moves to State Court.

After the arrest

Many misdemeanor defendants are released on a citation or posted bond within hours. Someone who stays in custody must see a judge within 48 hours of a warrantless arrest, or within 72 hours if police arrested on a warrant. In Chatham County that first hearing is held before a magistrate, who reviews the charge, sets or confirms bond and explains how to request counsel.

Appointed counsel for misdemeanors

Chatham County runs its own Misdemeanor Defense Office, staffed with lawyers who represent people who cannot afford private counsel on misdemeanor charges. When that office has a conflict, the county's Indigent Defense Unit assigns a private attorney. To ask about eligibility, call (912) 652-3091 or raise the request at your first court appearance. Felony questions go to the Circuit Public Defender at (912) 447-4901.

How these cases usually end

At arraignment in State Court the accusation is read and a plea is entered. Most cases are then negotiated with the Solicitor-General. A first-time defendant may be offered pretrial diversion, a reduced charge, or a sentence under Georgia's First Offender Act, which keeps a conviction off the record if every condition is completed. Chatham's State Court also operates a DUI Court, an intensive supervision and treatment program for repeat impaired-driving defendants. A case that goes to trial is heard by six jurors, and a defendant may file a statutory demand for speedy trial, which requires trial within the current or next term of court.

Sentencing range and timeline

The standard misdemeanor ceiling in Georgia is 12 months in custody and a $1,000 fine; high and aggravated misdemeanors raise the fine limit to $5,000. A first DUI conviction carries 10 days to 12 months, at least 24 hours actually served, a fine of $300 to $1,000, community service and a risk reduction class. Probation is the usual result. Given the size of the State Court docket, expect a Chatham misdemeanor to take anywhere from one to several months.

↑ Back to the top of the Chatham County court guide

Felony (for example, burglary, theft over $1,500, drug sales, aggravated assault)

Felony charges in Chatham County belong to the Superior Court of the Eastern Judicial Circuit and are prosecuted by the circuit District Attorney, whose office sits on the sixth floor of the Montgomery Street courthouse. Since the circuit has only one county, every Superior Court judge and every assistant DA in the circuit is devoted to Savannah-area cases, and the felony docket is among the largest on the coast.

Magistrate Court stage

A felony case begins with a warrant and a first appearance before a Chatham County magistrate within the 48- or 72-hour deadline. For most felonies the magistrate can set bond at that point. At the defense's request, a commitment hearing can be held, and the State must establish probable cause there before the Chatham case moves up to Superior Court. If the grand jury indicts first, that hearing usually does not happen.

Grand jury and arraignment

Georgia felonies are normally charged by grand jury indictment, though a defendant can waive indictment and let the DA proceed on an accusation, which is common in negotiated cases. A defendant who sits in jail 90 days without being indicted is entitled to have a bond set. Following indictment, the case goes to arraignment in Chatham County Superior Court, where the defendant enters a plea and the State turns over its discovery.

Representation

The Eastern Judicial Circuit Public Defender, part of the Georgia Public Defender Council, represents people who qualify financially in Chatham County felony cases. Its main office is at 222 W. Oglethorpe Avenue, (912) 447-4901; a separate juvenile division at 197 Carl Griffin Drive can be reached at (912) 652-6904. When the Public Defender cannot take a case because of a conflict, the county's Indigent Defense Unit appoints private counsel.

Outcomes and treatment courts

Most Chatham felonies are resolved by plea. First Offender sentencing is available to many people with no prior felony record. The Superior Court also runs a Drug Court, an Adult Mental Health Court and a Veterans Treatment Court, each of which offers supervised treatment in place of a standard prison or probation sentence for people who qualify. Trials are decided by 12 jurors who must agree unanimously. Most felonies carry at least one year, and judges frequently split a sentence between confinement and probation. From arrest to final disposition, a Chatham felony commonly takes six to eighteen months.

↑ Back to the top of the Chatham County court guide

Violent felony (for example, murder, rape, armed robbery)

Under Georgia law, seven offenses are labeled "serious violent felonies": murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy and aggravated sexual battery. In Chatham County these prosecutions are handled by experienced trial teams in the Eastern Circuit District Attorney's office and heard in Superior Court, and they carry the harshest mandatory penalties in the state code.

Holding and release

A Chatham magistrate cannot grant bond on murder, rape, armed robbery and the related offenses. Only a Superior Court judge may decide release, and only after a bond hearing. Many defendants in these cases are held at the Chatham County Detention Center while the case is pending.

Defense in serious cases

Defendants who cannot afford a lawyer are represented by the Eastern Judicial Circuit Public Defender, (912) 447-4901. If the District Attorney gives notice that it will seek death in a murder case, the Capital Defender Division of the Georgia Public Defender Council, which tries capital cases throughout the state, generally takes over the defense.

What the law requires at sentencing

  • Murder: life with parole eligibility only after 30 years, life without parole, or death. A jury may impose death only if it unanimously finds at least one statutory aggravating circumstance.
  • Rape: anyone convicted in Chatham County Superior Court faces life, life without parole, or a prison term of 25 years to life, with lifetime probation to follow.
  • Armed robbery: a Chatham County conviction carries 10 to 20 years in prison, or life.

For the serious violent felonies other than murder, Georgia sets a 10-year mandatory minimum that must be served in full, with no parole, probation or suspension. First Offender treatment does not apply, and anyone convicted of a second serious violent felony faces mandatory life without parole. Victims are guaranteed notice of proceedings and a chance to be heard at bond, plea and sentencing under Marsy's Law, which Georgia voters approved in 2018.

Pace of the case

Lab analysis, expert testimony and lengthy motions practice slow these cases considerably. One to three years is typical in Chatham County, and a capital prosecution can take longer still.

↑ Back to the top of the Chatham County court guide

Federal charges

Federal cases from Chatham County belong to the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah Division. The courthouse is 8 Southern Oaks Ct., Savannah, GA 31405 (page says mail to 124 Barnard St), and the clerk answers at 912-650-4020. A federal magistrate judge holds the first hearing and sets any release terms. The U.S. Marshals Service keeps custody before trial, so the person may sit in a local jail that rents beds to the Marshals. After sentencing, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

The information on this page describes the general course of a criminal case in Chatham County, Georgia, and should not be taken as legal advice. For guidance on a specific charge, speak with a criminal defense lawyer, or call the Eastern Judicial Circuit Public Defender at (912) 447-4901 (misdemeanor defense: (912) 652-3091).

Criminal Court Process for Chatham County Georgia

Chatham County Georgia Criminal Court System - Definitions

It might be helpful to define some words that will be used on this site, when explaining the Georgia Court System and how it works. The definitions on this site are for general information and not legal advice. It is always preferred to follow information given by your attorney or local authorities.

If you scroll down below this content, and the listing of the courts in Chatham County, you will find a simple flowchart diagram and a video that will help you visualize the stages of the Criminal Court Process.

Arrest is when Georgia, Chatham County, and local police take a person into custody and start the legal process. The arrested person may or may not be immediately jailed. 

In less serious crimes, the person may only be given a citation ordering that they appear in municipal or Chatham County court on a certain date. In cases involving more serious crimes, the person is usually placed in the county jail until an arraignment, or a judge decides the next step.

Booking is when the Chatham Countysheriff or local police gather information such as the detainee’s name, address and why the person is being arrested. Booking also includes fingerprinting, criminal history, investigation and verification of identity.

The prosecution, sometimes called “the government” or “the people” or “the state” is the side that press the charges and seeks punishment for the offense. These are attorneys that work for the state of Georgia, Chatham County or a city or town. The prosecuting attorney for the county or the district is called the District Attorney or Solicitor. A U.S. Attorney prosecutes federal cases.  

Jurisdiction is an important term in the court system that means whether a court has the obligation or duty or right to handle a case.  For example, if you run a red light in your town or city, a municipal court would likely have jurisdiction over your case, but the next town or city over would not have jurisdiction over your case.  If you attempted to flee from police when they attempted to stop you after you ran the red light, it becomes a more serious crime, and the municipal court might not have jurisdiction so you might be assigned to a higher-level court that has jurisdiction over the more serious crime.  Jurisdiction varies from state to state and sometimes county to county.

Arraignment is when a judge determines whether or not the charges are supported by the prosecution’s initial evidence and tells the arrested what they are charged with, and the person says whether they are guilty or not guilty. At this time, the person is called the defendant, and the opposing side is called the prosecution. If there is reason to believe that the arrested is guilty, the judge will set bail conditions or send the defendant to jail or release them ROR (release on recognizances). An arraignment is not a trial, and the defendant is entitled to a trial within a reasonable amount of time after the arraignment.

Bail is money paid that is held by the Chatham County or municipal court to make sure that the arrested does not flee the area before their trial. Bail amounts and other conditions are determined at the arraignment.

Once the case is over, the bail money is returned to the defendant. If a person does not pay bail, they remain in the Chatham County jail until their trial.  Bail can be denied if the court feels that the arrested would be a danger to others if released. Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance without having to pay bail.

In Georgia, a bond hearing is a determination by a neutral and detached magistrate to determine an amount a person may pay to be released while the case is pending. Sometimes certain crimes will have preset bonds, that can become payable the moment an arrest is made. The minimum bond in Georgia is $1,000. If a court seeks a bond lower than that then it must be an OR bond, meaning the accused shall be released on their own recognizance, with no money down. During bond proceedings, the defendant is not required to have an attorney but has the right to an attorney if the defendant want one. 

It is always important to have family involvement after being arrested.  Not only can they make calls and communicate on your behalf (not all bond companies will accept collect calls), but family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court, not only for the defendant’s own good, but because they may have signed bond paperwork and responsible to pay if the defendant does not show in court. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.  

(There have been phone scams to where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information.  A bondsman will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)

A judicial public bond or personal recognizance bond is a bond where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the money if the defendant does not show up to court. If the defendant does not show, the full amount will be due and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible to pay the court.  Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance.  

Cash percentage in lieu of bonds.  If the bond order permits, the defendant pays a percentage of the amount, (sometimes up to 100%) to the court, which then holds the money until the case is over. The amount is returned if the defendant is acquitted or the case is dismissed, or it can be used toward paying any court fines incurred by the defendant.

Surety Bond is when defendant pays a percentage of the bond amount (usually 10–15%) to a professional bondsman or bail bond company licensed to do business in Georgia. The bondsman then signs the bond on behalf of the defendant. The defendant does not receive any of the money back. If the bondsman feels the defendant is a flight risk, they can refuse to give a bond or charge a higher fee. For example, a bondsman may determine a defendant is a flight risk if they are from a state other than Georgia.

A Property Bond is a bond in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted).  Usually, the property must be in Chatham County, and it must be worth at least the amount of the bond.

An Unsecured Bond is when the defendant is released without paying bail upfront, but they must pay the full amount if they do not appear in court.

A Secured Bond is when the defendant pays a portion of the bail up front. If they show to court,
They would get the money back and if they don’t show up to court, would have to pay the entire bail amount.

A criminal defense attorney (also called lawyer or counsel) is hired or retained to represent the arrested as early as possible after the arrest. If there is a chance that the case might go to trial and the defendant cannot afford an attorney, the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires that the court provide an attorney. This is called indigent representation and a public defender or assigned attorney would represent the defendant in all proceedings. Indigent representation is only available misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time, juvenile cases and certain appeal cases. 

Indigent representation varies from county to county in Georgia. Some counties have public defenders, some have assigned or contracted attorneys.  The court in each county can instruct a defendant in how to obtain defense.

Indigent defense in Georgia is funded mostly by the counties and also by the state. The vast majority of counties, with few exceptions, have a Public Defender’s Office, with attorneys with the sole job of being public defenders. If someone is incarcerated, that person automatically qualifies for a public defender if they so choose. If someone is on bond, they must fill out a financial affidavit so the office may determine if that person is within federal poverty guidelines to allow a public defender to represent them. In cases where a person does not qualify, a judge may grant an exception authorizing a Public Defender to represent the accused for any reason a Judge sees fit.

Those counties that do not have a Public Defender’s Office must appear before a Judge and have a Judge assign an attorney to represent them, which the county will pay for. This usually happens at arraignment. 

For less serious cases or civil cases, there are pro bono volunteers who volunteer legal services for free or for a small fee. They often will hold clinics to teach people how to represent themselves in court or expunge their record which means to legally erase or eliminate a criminal or arrest record from public view.

This website provides contact information for pro bono services in Georgia.

Many courts will provide forms and help for people who want to represent themselves, called pro se.  Here is a link for legal self-help information in Georgia.

A district court can refer to the first level of the legal system, or a minor court. District courts are located in the community.  A district court can also refer to a U.S. Federal District Court that hears federal cases. There are three U.S. federal district courts in Georgia, with offices throughout the state. It is important that you check the address of the court you are to appear in rather than to ask someone because that person might give you directions to the wrong “district” court. Being late to court can land you in custody as well.

Pretrial proceeding is the process where both sides (prosecution and defense) gather information, interview witnesses, request records, videos etc. Pretrial proceedings also include communications with the judge assigned to the case and these appearances are either in person or by on-line conferencing. Some pretrial proceedings may not require a defendant’s appearance, allowing an attorney to appear in their place. The information that is gathered is called discovery and both sides must share the information that they have gathered.  This information does not include conversations between the arrested and their attorney.

Most cases do not go to trial because both sides reach a plea deal, where both sides try to reach a reasonable punishment based on what was learned in the pretrial proceedings.  A plea deal can only happen if the accused person admits they are guilty in exchange for a lighter punishment.  The reason they must admit guilt is because it would not be fair to punish someone who claims they are not guilty.  There are times in plea bargaining when the prosecution agrees to give a lighter sentence in exchange for information leading to the arrest of more serious criminal related to the crime.  

Trial is where both sides share their information in front of a judge or a judge and jury. After listening to all the evidence, the judge or jury decides the verdict which is whether if the person is guilty or not guilty. If a court has only a judge hearing both sides, it is called a bench trial.  If a jury is selected, it is called a jury trial.  If the defendant is found non-guilty, they are released.  If they are found to be guilty, the next step is sentencing.

Sentencing is the punishment that the judge decides the person should get. This could be jail or prison time, fines, community service, probation, or a combination.

Appeal is asking for a higher court to hear the case again at an appellate court.  If the accused person thinks something went wrong at trial or has new information that was not available during the trial or that the sentence is too harsh, the defense attorney can ask for an appeal. It is not unusual for an appeal when there is a long jail sentence, but an appeal can be denied if the appellate court feels that the original trial or sentencing was fair.

Georgia Felony vs Misdemeanor

In Georgia, a misdemeanor is divided into four types:

  • Class 1 misdemeanor of high and aggravated nature carries a maximal sentence of 1 to 12 months’ jail time and a $5000 fine.
  • Class 2-4 misdemeanors are crimes punishable by prison time of 1 to 12 months and fines up to $1000 or both.  
  • Examples of misdemeanors are more minor assault, theft and drug charges as well as trespassing, shoplifting and disorderly conduct. Georgia’s most severe misdemeanors are DUI, Fleeing and Eluding, and Homicide by Vehicle in the Second Degree. Georgia is an odd state in which every traffic violation, with four minor exceptions, are considered misdemeanors, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. This means any ticket for which you pay in Georgia is a misdemeanor conviction for job applications. The caveat to this is that Georgia is one of the few states where every citizen has a right to a trial by jury for every traffic offense in the State.

A felony crime is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and is divided into different classes which are general guidelines and are based on the crime, prior criminal history and other factors.  Examples of felony crimes are murder, rape, theft, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, kidnapping and identity theft.  

In Georgia, there are 5 classes of felonies.  Class A are the most serious Class E felonies. All felony charges carry at least one year in prison and/or fines, however, the State does have the ability to downward depart from these minimums if they so choose.

The Chatham County Clerk of Court is an elected official whose responsibilities for Criminal Court’s administrative issues include receiving criminal warrants, receiving bail, creating the trial schedule, receiving fees, fines and maintaining court records.

A warrant is used to get someone to appear in court or to law enforcement.  There must be good reason to believe that the person is involved in a crime. The warrant gives authority to arrest the person and search for evidence for the investigation of the crime. 

A criminal summons is issued to request that a person appear in court at a particular time and date.  It does not involve an arrest.  A traffic ticket, summary citation or lesser misdemeanor could be considered a summons if you are given a court date.

A summary citation, commonly referred to as a ticket, is a criminal summons by a law enforcement officer either in person or via mail accusing the defendant of a minor offense, stating potential fine, listing the court having jurisdiction and instructions for addressing the issue. Defendants may or may not be required to appear in court or handle the matter by entering a plea via mail.

Fines are usually paid to the District Court or clerk of court and payment methods can be found on the District Court or Chatham County Clerk of Court website. If you do not pay your fine on time, you can lose your driver’s license, have to pay additional fees or even have a warrant for your arrest.  It is important to read the instructions on the ticket issued by the police officer or court at the time of your arrest. For a parking ticket or summary citation, the fine amount and how to send payment should be on the ticket. 

Georgia Criminal Court System - How it Works

In Georgia, the criminal court system is made up of magistrate, municipal, superior, state, juvenile, courts of appeal and one Supreme Court.  It is important that you get the address of the court that you are to appear at because going to the wrong courthouse is not always an accepted excuse for not showing to court.

Municipal courts handle violations of municipal ordinances (city laws), traffic violations, parking violations and criminal misdemeanor offenses that occur within the city or towns police jurisdiction. Some municipal courts in Georgia can conduct preliminary hearings and hear misdemeanor shoplifting, criminal trespass and possession of marijuana cases. Cases in Municipal Court had no right to a jury trial, but at any point the accused may ask for a jury trial and transfer their case to the State Court of the County where the crime occurred.

Magistrate courts are county courts that can handle minor criminal offenses and issue warrants. Preliminary hearings can be held in magistrate court and magistrate judges can set the bail. In counties that have a State Court, all minor criminal offenses are handled in State Court. 

State courts are located in each county and are similar in jurisdiction to the municipal and magistrate courts except that they can hold jury trials on misdemeanor cases. They also handle traffic violations and issue search and arrest warrants.

Superior courts cover one or more county and handle all felony trials. Superior court judges can review appeals from municipal and magistrate courts; however, State Court appeals statutorily go directly to the Court of Appeals. Superior Court has concurrent Jurisdiction with State Court and can handle misdemeanor cases if they choose, and normally do if there is a felony attached to the acts. IE. DUI with a felony fleeing (putting the general safety at risk), will all be handled in Superior Court.

Juvenile courts handle cases for individuals up to the age of 17 except for cases referred to superior court of juveniles aged 13 to 17 who commit certain violent felonies, known as the ‘Seven Deadlies’. 

The following website provides an overview of services from Georgia’s juvenile justice programs.

Accountability Courts are being adopted in many states as a way to handle cases that involve non-violent and first-time offender cases in a way to where the offender can retain a job or responsibilities while following specific orders of the court as returned court appearances, periodic evaluations or testing for substances. 

Georgia offers problem-solving courts solutions throughout the state that offer attention to the following areas: adult drug use, juvenile drug use, dependency, DUI, mental health and veteran court. However, before a person enrolls in these courts, Pre-Trial Diversion or the First Offender Act should be considered. 

Pre-Trial Diversion is an offer from the State to first-time low-level offenders that allow them to take a class, pay a fine, and community service, in exchange for a dismissal and a sealing of the crime. 

The First Offender Act in Georgia allows certain crimes (all except DUI and Seven Deadly) to have the sentence carried out, however, it will be sealed and restricted after the fact. 

Accountability Courts can allow a person to retain a job and can end up in the case being restricted, however, only certain crimes apply. DUI and Drug Offenses in STATE court cannot be restricted as the Statute expressly prohibits it. DUI in SUPERIOR court also cannot be restricted as that is prohibited by the Statute. Most counties will not allow ANY seemingly forceful crime to be considered for any accountability court. Felony Obstruction usually is a bar to Pre-Trial Diversion or Accountability Court, and the State may oppose First Offender.

Courts of appeals review cases from the superior and state courts to determine whether there were errors made in the original trial.  The justices can reverse the decision or sent the case back to the lower court to be re-tried.

The Georgia Supreme Court is like our United States’ Supreme Court because it has a panel of judges that rule on matters that have to do with someone’s constitutional rights or policies and laws. The Georgia State Supreme Court deals with the state constitution or laws or policies. Sometimes the Supreme Court will hear criminal cases on appeal when there is question on the state laws or procedures that lead to the appeal.  

The criminal cases are usually referred from the district courts of appeal.

FEDERAL COURT

Federal Court deals with crimes involving violations of United States laws.  Federal crimes include federal drug trafficking, federal tax evasion and fraud that crossed state lines and include crimes that occur on federal property as post offices or federal buildings.  

Cases involving crimes that involve the FBI or DEA or Immigration agencies are federal crimes. Terrorism is a federal crime. 

There are some differences in the Federal court system as compared to the Georgia state court system. For example, the attorneys who work for the courts are called United States Attorneys and Federal judges are called District Court Judges (not to be confused by local state district courts).  

Federal Magistrate Judges hear the case early on, but they do not decide on the cases at a trial like the Federal District Court Judges. In a federal case, a grand jury is used for indictments.

There are three U.S. Federal Judicial Districts in Georgia.

Courts

POOLER MUNICIPAL COURT
100 US HIGHWAY 80 SW
POOLER GA, 31322
912-748-7261
CHATHAM COUNTY SUPERIOR CRTHS
133 MONTGOMERY ST # 304
SAVANNAH GA, 31401
912-652-7200
CHATHAM COUNTY PROBATE JUDGE
133 MONTGOMERY ST # 509
SAVANNAH GA, 31401
912-652-7264
THUNDERBOLT MUNICIPAL COURT
2821 RIVER DR
SAVANNAH GA, 31404
912-354-5533
CHATHAM COUNTY GEORGIA
133 MONTGOMERY STREET COUNTY C
SAVANNAH GA, 31412
912-652-7867

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Chatham County

Human-verified information Manually curated

Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.