Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is an elected official, a constitutional officer. The Superior Court Clerk’s Office is a vital entity for all branches of the judicial system.

Belinda Wheeler, Clerk: bwheeler@brookscountyga.gov

ORDER

The undersigned Chief Judge and Judge of Superior Court for the Southern Judicial Circuit of the State of Georgia, upon acting under the authority of O.C.G.A. §38-3-60, et. seq., hereby declares a judicial emergency in all counties of the Southern Judicial District Circuit. This emergency is due to Hurricane Helene which has impacted judicial operations in all counties of the Southern Judicial Circuit. The undersigned makes this declaration in conformance with the Order by Governor Brian Kemp, who has previously issued a state of emergency in the State of Georgia, including all counties in the Southern Judicial Circuit.

The undersigned Chief Superior Court Judge having consulted with all of the acting

Superior Court Judges within the Circuit, all are in agreement that access to the courthouses of the Southern Circuit is impossible and/or impracticable during this judicial emergency.

An initial Judicial Emergency order concerning all counties in the Southern Circuit was put in place for Thursday, September 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. through Friday, September 27, 2024 at

11:59 p.m. This order has ended, but due to the devastation to large parts of the Southern Judicial Circuit a new order is required.

THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED, all Court business within the Southern Judicial Circuit, including Superior Courts, State Courts, Magistrate Courts, Probate Courts and Juvenile Courts, be closed for business retroactively from September 28, 2024 at 12:00 a.m. to Monday, October 7, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Due to the size of the Southern Judicial Circuit, the amount of damage and destruction within the Circuit, a daily evaluation shall be made to determine whether the Judicial Emergency shall be continued as to any particular office, courthouse or county. Different offices or courthouses may open for business while others may remain under the Emergency Order.

Location

1 Screven Street, Suite 6
Quitman, Georgia 31643
Phone: 229 – 263 – 4747

Hours of Operation

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Monday – Friday
(Except Holidays)

Fax Numbers

State Court & Criminal:
229 – 263 – 5050

Civil & Real Estate
229 – 263 – 8054

Probate Court

The Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction over the probate of wills, the administration of estates, the appointment of guardians and conservators for incapacitated adults and minor children, and commitments to involuntary evaluation and treatment for people with mental health, drug or alcohol issues. The Probate Court also issues both marriage and firearms licenses and performs a number of other administrative duties.

Brooks County Probate Court

Kathy Shiver, Judge
Lauren Simpson, Clerk

Email: brooksprobate@gmail.com

1 Screven Street, Suite 4
Quitman, Georgia 31643
Phone: 229 – 263 – 5567
Fax: 229 – 263 – 5058

Please Note

• Marriage Licenses and Weapons Carry Renewals are completed between 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• New Weapons Carry Applications are completed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday between the hours of 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• Customers must arrive before 4:00 PM to allow sufficient time to conclude all business with the Court at or before 4:30 PM. No payments will be accepted after 4:00 PM.

Useful Websites

Magistrate Court

Magistrate Court oversees many operations for the county, including the resolution of Civil Disputes, County Ordinance Violations, and the issuance of Criminal Arrest and Search Warrants.

Brooks County Magistrate Court

David Crosby, Chief Judge

315 Screven St.
Quitman, Georgia 31643
229 – 263 – 9989

Superior Court

Superior Court is the highest court in each circuit. It is a court of record which means that all records, documentation, and minutes filed in this office cannot be altered after filing. It typically has unlimited jurisdiction with regard to civil and criminal legal cases.

Juvenile Court

Juvenile Court services youth under the age of seventeen who have been charged with a criminal offense, traffic violation, or statutory offense.