News
An archive of announcements from the world of clerks!
An archive of announcements from the world of clerks!
The Criminal Case Data Exchange (CDX) Board has adopted a major revision of their Uniform Standards for the Creation and Transmission of Electronic Criminal History Data. The Board convened on November 11th, 2023 and voted to adopt the proposed revision. Clerks are represented on The CDX Board by Superior Court Clerk of Forsyth County Greg Allen and Executive Director of the Council of Superior Court Clerks Michael Holiman. Click the title of this announcement to read the standards in their entirety.
Mark your calendars for the 2023 leadership conference. Come prepared to brain storm and discuss major on-going topics and the future of clerks. We will start on Wednesday, August 30 at 1:00 pm and conclude on Friday, September 1 at 12 pm
One of todays presentations focused on the topic of Legal Researching. The presenters, Tammie Mosley CSC, Chatham County and Erica Woodford CSC, Bibb County provided valuable insights and guidance on how to conduct effective legal research. In addition, attendees were given a demonstration by Evan Gross on how to research a topic within the reference manual. This informative session undoubtedly equipped the participants with valuable skills and tools to navigate the complex world of legal research.
Today marks day one of the 2023 Clerks Spring Conference. There was a remarkable turnout of clerks who had gathered to partake in a series of enlightening presentations. The session kicked off with a speech by members of SORRB, Tracy Alvard, and Lead Investigator Russ Finley. The gathering was further enriched with the addition of Gary Yates, who shared insights on the Plates and Deed Indexing Project.
The Clerks’ Authority is excited to announce that the Filing Activity Notification System (F.A.N.S.) is “live!” F.A.N.S., which is a FREE service to notify property owners any time filings are made related to their registered property, as well as notify of filing activity related to UCCs (personal property), liens and plat filings. Individuals can simply go to https://fans.gsccca.org to register with an email address or telephone number. The system is voluntary and anyone may opt in. An informational webinar will be conducted on Thursday, January 26 at 10:00AM for Clerks and their staffs. To register, please go to www.gsccca.org/training.
The Council is very pleased to announce and support the implementation of eCertification by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority ("GSCCCA"). As of 9 March 2022, seven counties have activated eCertification with 45 more on track to go live between now and May 1. Click the title above to learn more about eCertification!
Effective July 15, 2021, the Honorable Supreme Court ordered that new Uniform Superior Court Form SC-10 (relating to criminal case information form) be approved. To view the new form, click the title of this post.
The Fifteenth Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency and the Notice of Expected Termination of Statewide Judicial Emergency on June 30, 2021 issued today. Click the title above to read both.
Under an order signed today by Chief Justice Harold D. Melton, next Friday, May 14, deadlines will be reimposed on prosecutors for presenting cases to the grand jury involving detained adults and juveniles. The order is the 14th the Chief Justice has signed that extends for 30 days the Statewide Judicial Emergency he first declared in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click the title above to read the Order & Press Release.
Chief Justice Harold D. Melton today extended for another month the Statewide Judicial Emergency he first declared more than a year ago on March 14, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This order gives notice that the statutory deadlines for when detained criminal defendants must have their cases heard by a grand jury are expected to be reinstated on May 14, 2021. Click the title above to read the order.
Chief Justice Harold D. Melton announced that Georgia judges and court staff are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. “Thanks to the work of our Judicial COVID-19 Task Force, in collaboration with Governor Kemp and Dr. Toomey, our judges and court personnel will now be able to receive the vaccine. This is extremely important and necessary as we resume jury trials across the state – the more people who are vaccinated will decrease the risk to the public interacting with the courts,” Chief Justice Melton said. Click the title above to read the press release.
Georgia Supreme Court Justice David Nahmias to become the next chief justice of the state's highest court. The other justices unanimously elected Presiding Justice Nahmias to take over on July 1 when Chief Justice Harold Melton steps down after 16 years with the court.
Today Chief Justice Harold D. Melton signed the 12th order extending the Statewide Judicial Emergency. This order allows courts to recommence jury trials. Click the title above to read the order and press release.
Today Chief Justice Harold D. Melton signed the 11th order extending the Statewide Judicial Emergency. This order indicates that if COVID-19 numbers decline, courts will be able to recommence jury trials in March – after he issues the next emergency order. Press Release also attached.
This latest update will carry the courts through February 7th 2021. The primary effect is to continue the prohibition on jury trials except for those that are already underway.
Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold D. Melton has issued an updated order suspending the resumption of jury trials. It will allow those jury trials already underway to continue subject to local conditions. Click the title above to read the order in its entirety.
In an emergency session today with state judicial leaders, Chief Justice Harold D. Melton said he will sign an order tomorrow, Dec. 23, that will suspend jury trials statewide in the face of the disturbing spread of coronavirus. Click the title above to read the press release.
The Order Declaring Statewide Judicial Emergency, which would have expired on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., is further extended until Friday, January 8, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. All Georgia courts shall continue to operate under the restrictions set forth in that Order as extended; the provisions of this order below are identical to the November 9 extension order.
Click the title above to view the Press Release and read the Order.
Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold D. Melton explains the important role of jurors in the justice system. #JusticeNeedsJurors
Issued Saturday, October 10th and in effect until mid-November, this updated order continues to direct the Chief Judge of each superior court to convene for each county in his or her circuit a local committee of judicial system participants to develop detailed guidelines for the safe resumption of jury trials in the county, utilizing the “Guidance for Resuming Jury Trials” included in the Appendix to this order. This order authorizes the Chief Judge of each trial court, in his or her discretion, to resume the jury trial process if local conditions allow and the Chief Judge, in collaboration with the local committee, has developed and issued a final jury trial plan.
Jury Trials Allowed to Resume In Georgia: Will Follow COVID-19 Safety Guidelines
Click to read Chief Justice Melton’s Sixth Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency and the related press release. This order authorizes the Chief Judge of each superior court, in his or her discretion after consultation with the District Attorney, to resume grand jury proceedings as local conditions allow and in accordance with this order. The order further directs each county to establish a local committee of judicial system participants to develop detailed guidelines for the resumption of jury trials in the county utilizing the safe jury trial guidelines being developed by the Task Force. It is anticipated that the next extension order on or about October 10 will authorize superior and state courts, in their discretion, to resume jury trials as local conditions allow.
Courts in Georgia have continued to perform essential functions despite the pandemic. In an effort to return to more robust court operations, many of the deadlines imposed by law on litigants in civil and criminal cases that had been suspended, tolled, or extended since the initial March 14 Order were reimposed as of July 14, allowing more pending and newly filed cases to move forward in the judicial process. However, given the current levels of COVID-19 around the state, this order continues the prohibition on all jury proceedings. This broad prohibition cannot last too much longer, even if the pandemic continues, because the judicial system, and the criminal justice system in particular, must have some capacity to resolve cases by indictment and trial. Accordingly, the Judicial COVID-19 Task Force is focusing on how grand jury and jury trial proceedings could safely be conducted even where levels of COVID-19 are high, including the possibility of conducting grand jury proceedings and jury selection remotely.
The judicial emergency order is continued until Aug. 11, 2020 and there is a continued prohibition on both jury and grand jury trials with limited exception for previously impaneled grand juries. There is some tightening of the language regarding precautions that are recommended by substituting ‘shall’ for ‘should’ in a some sections. Click the title above to read the order.
Click the title above to read the order. Tolling of cases begins but will be rolled out gradually to lessen the impact on what will be very crowded calendars. Also, the prohibition on jury trials continues which also focuses tolling on the earlier stages of a case. Here is the paragraph that speaks to juries: As directed by the May 11 extension order, the Judicial Covid-19 Task Force is developing policies, procedures, and templates to allow the safe resumption of jury trials and grand jury proceedings. These materials should be available in July 2020, but it is unlikely that any jury proceedings will begin until August or later.
Chief Justice Melton's latest order extends the declaration of a statewide judicial emergency related to COVID-19 until Friday, June 12, 2020. Georgia courts shall continue to operate under the restrictions set forth in the previous order as extended. Judges are being granted authority on a case-specific basis to reimpose certain deadlines. Contains direction regarding efforts to resume court operations in a manner that protects public health. Summoning new jurors is prohibited. Click the title of this announcement to read the order. Further guidance on grand jury proceedings is attached.
The statewide judicial emergency declared by Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton has been extended. Court activities will now be limited until May 13, 2020. Click the title of this announcement to read the order. The Chief Justice will provide notice as to the expected termination of this order at least one week in advance to allow courts to plan the transition to fuller operations.
The Council of Superior Court Clerks provides this advisory to All Filers and the Public regarding the COVID-19 National Emergency. Click the title of this announcement to read.
Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton declares a statewide judicial emergency limiting court activities until April 13, 2020 in light of the recent spread of Coronavirus/COVID-19 in Georgia. Click the title of this announcement to see the order.
For fiscal year 2018, the Clerks of Superior Court paid $76,787,961.40 into 30 funds and accounts, including but not limited to: the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund, the Local Crime Victims Compensation Fund, and the Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit Fund. Click the title of this piece to learn more!
Clerks transmit all protective orders received in their office to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), a division within the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). In doing this, Clerks help to enhance victim safety by providing law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys access to these issued orders. This information is also used to help identify and prevent individuals federally prohibited from purchasing a firearm from doing so. [Source: OCGA § 19-13-53]
On May 6, 2019, HB 288 was signed by Governor Brian Kemp. As such, please be aware of the following filing fee changes that will become effective on January 1, 2020. $25.00 filing fee for deeds, financing statements and liens (with the exception of local and state tax liens) and removes cross indexing and additional page fees. $25.00 filing fee for each requested instrument to be canceled, satisfied, released, or assigned and removes cross indexing and additional page fees. $5.00 filing fee for local and state tax liens, a $2.00 fee for each reference to a previously filed tax lien and a $2.00 fee for each additional page. * $10.00 filing fee per page for plats.
Congratulations to Tammie Mosley, CSC of Chatham County, for being appointed to the Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority Board by the executive board of the Clerks' Council!
The Clerk of Superior Court provides criminal disposition data to both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Additionally, the Clerk supplies the Department of Corrections (DOC) with a sentencing packet containing the indictment, accusation, and any additional information that the commissioner may request regarding the history of the convicted person. [Source: OCGA § 42-5-50 (a)]
In December 2018, the Judicial Council adopted new eFile Transfer Rules. To see changes, click the title of this post.
Clerks are responsible for receiving, filing, storing, and retrieving of civil and criminal court records for Superior Court. All records are open for inspection and copying except juvenile court records, adoption records, and any records sealed by Court Order. Additionally, Clerks provide support for the court through management of court records, attendance during court proceedings, and the issuing of juror summons, witness subpoenas, trial calendars, and notices. [Source: OCGA § 15-6-61]
The 2019 COAG Fall Conference has officially come to a close-- it was a great conference with lots of fun, spectacular educational sessions, and ample fellowship. Please feel free to post photos on our Facebook page and be sure to mark your calendars for the Summer Conference to be held June 10-12, 2020. Thank you all!
Clerks are responsible for receiving, processing, indexing, and reproducing all records for land (real estate) and personal property bought, sold, or otherwise conveyed or encumbered. All real and personal property records are open for public inspection and copying. [Source: OCGA § 15-6-61]
Today marks the start of the fall conference held by the Constitutional Officers Association of Georgia. Clerks are gathered in Savannah, GA with their fellow constitutional officers-- probate judges, sheriffs, and tax commissioners-- for training classes. Today's topics include: managing human resources, technology, and financial management.
The Clerk of Superior Court regularly interacts with 19 different state agencies, including the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Driver Services, and the Georgia Crime Information Center. Additionally, the responsibilities of the Clerk of the Superior Court are detailed in over 160 code sections of Georgia General Assembly code.
On Friday, July 12th, Governor Kemp swore in five clerks to the Board of Commissioners of the Superior Court Clerks' Retirement Fund of Georgia. Created in 1952 with the purpose of administering retirement benefits to Georgia Superior Court Clerks who meet specific eligibility requirements, the Board of Commissioners is composed of seven members. Five are Superior Court Clerks, at least one of whom is retired, appointed by the Governor for 3-year terms with the possibility of reappointment (O.C.G.A 47-14-20). Click the title of this post for an updated list of members. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook to see photos!
In the past three months, four new clerks have taken office. Please join us in welcoming Danielle Forte (Muscogee County), Sheila Butler (Paulding County), Stacie Baines (Polk County), and Chekeidra Crimes (Webster County) to the clerk family!
The document "Georgia Standards for the Security of Courthouses and Other Court Facilities" has been added to the Clerk Resources page of this website. Click the title above to view.
The Georgia Supreme Court has issued a new jury composition rule (click above to view). The new rule is available for viewing on the Supreme Court website and represents a significant update of the former rule. Clerks take on the responsibility of being familiar with the Jury Composition Rule, which governs the creation and handling of their County Master Jury Lists. The Council of Superior Court Clerks compiles the Statewide Master Jury List in accordance with this rule.
We extend a warm welcome to Debbie Brooks, Superior Court Clerk of Spalding County and Shasta Glover, Superior Court Clerk of Muscogee County, Georgia's newest Superior Court Clerks in 2018. Also to Tammy Foskey, Superior Court Clerk of Montgomery County who has been in office since 2017. All three of these clerks' contact information has been added to the Redbook, which can be viewed on this site by clicking the title of this announcement.
We are proud to roll out a new website that hopefully will assist clerks in advising the public about the duties of Georgia’s Superior Court Clerks. Sections that describe the various organizations for and about clerks are included along with contact information for all 159 clerks. We hope you find this site helpful and welcome your suggestions for additions or improvements.