A Comprehensive Guide to the Braselton Municipal Court
Speak with a trusted Braselton Municipal Court lawyer in Georgia.
The Braselton Municipal Court is a city court in Jackson County, GA that handles traffic citations and city ordinance violations. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
Author: Philip Kim, Founder, Philip Kim Law, P.C.
Defense lawyer Philip Kim has committed his career to standing up for the accused, and protecting the rights and reputations of his valued clients. If you face criminal charges in Georgia, we can provide you with the skilled, effective defense representation you need.
Published on December06, 2021, last updated on December 25, 2021.
Basics of the Braselton Municipal Court
Although its primary responsibility is to manage legal issues that occur in the city limits, there are many reasons why locals will need to visit the Braselton Municipal Court. Located in Braselton, Georgia, the court handles misdemeanor offenses, ordinance violations, preliminary hearings, and traffic offenses. It also issues criminal warrants and maintains records.
According to City Regulations, state laws, and other court directives, these infractions are governed by judges since Municipal Court doesn’t have jury trials. Depending on your reason for going to the Braselton Municipal Court, it might benefit you to retain the services of a reputable attorney like Philip Kim Law for professional advice.
Braselton Georgia Municipal Court Attorneys
A law office in the state of Georgia may represent you when you face a Braselton Georgia Municipal Court judge. The attorneys will present evidence that the judge will then examine and decide whether or not you are guilty. Standard municipal court procedures include:
- City ordinance violations
- Property complaints
- Traffic violations
- Truancy
If you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense such as domestic violence, your case will likely be handled by a different court in Georgia. Contact a domestic violence attorney for more information.
Although they may choose to pronounce the judgment at a later date, typically, the judge will decree their decision on the day of the trial due to the typically uncomplicated, low-level nature of the offenses brought to municipal courts in the state of Georgia.
Braselton Municipal Court Address
The Braselton Municipal Court Address is 4982 Braselton Highway in Hoschton, Georgia, 30548. You can reach the office by calling 706-654-3915.
If you must go to court, your arraignment date is added to the court docket. During the arraignment, you will offer one of the following pleas:
- Guilty
- Not Guilty
- Nolo Contendere
Nolo Contendere means that you aren’t contesting the charges but are not admitting guilt to them. Your lawyer can advise you on which plea makes sense for your case.
How to File a Lawsuit in Braselton Municipal Court
If you want to recover monetary damages from someone, you may wonder how to file a lawsuit in Braselton Municipal Court. However, the Municipal Court only handles city ordinance violations and traffic offenses. Therefore, all cases in this court are filed by officials with the city government.
You may be able to file a lawsuit elsewhere, though. The Small Claims Court in Braselton, GA, is a Jackson County Magistrate Court branch that adjudicates civil penalties and disputes involving personal property claims not to exceed $20,000 outside of attorney fees, court costs, and interest.
To file a lawsuit for a civil dispute, you must go to the Civil Clerk of the Justice of the Peace to pay a $34.00 filing fee and complete a claim statement form with the following information:
- Your complete name and address
- The complete name and address of the defendant
- The amount of your claim
- The reason for your claim
- Any money you owe the defendant
- Your sworn oath that the claim is accurate
In addition to the filing fee, you must pay a “service of citation” fee for each subpoena requested and served after the trial date is set.
If you are located in Gwinnett County, Barrow County, or Hall County, your civil claim may be filed with the respective county’s courts.
Braselton GA Municipal Court Responsibilities
A knowledgeable attorney from a professional law firm can help you determine the right course of action when summoned to the Braselton, GA, Municipal Court. There are several reasons you may be required to appear in the courts; the primary responsibilities of the Municipal Court include:
- Adjudicating cases
- Carrying out drug and alcohol examinations
- Gathering charges and fines
- Monitoring probationers
Although you can request a trial, there are no jury trials, as a judge sees all Municipal Court trials.
Braselton Courthouse Staff
The Braselton Courthouse is under the authority of a judge and an associate judge, who command the court procedures. The court support personnel positions consist of the Municipal Court Clerk and the Municipal Court Solicitor.
What You Should Know About Braselton Municipal Court
A reputable attorney like Philip Kim might inform you about what you should know about Braselton Municipal Court before your visit. For example, you might think you will save yourself effort and expense by pleading guilty or nolo contendere. You may not know, though, that by doing so, you waive your rights to the following:
- An attorney
- Confronting your accusers or witnesses
- The presumption of innocent until proven guilty
- Testifying or offering evidence
- A trial by judge
If you plead “Guilty” or “Nolo Contendere,” your case will be disposed of, and you will be sentenced. Your case’s disposition is transferred to the necessary agency, like the Division of Probation or the Department of Drivers Services (DDS).
If you plead “Not Guilty,” your date will be set for trial. Failure to appear without cause will likely result in the judge issuing a bench warrant for you. If you cannot appear for your court date and call at least one business day prior, you will receive a continuance.
Braselton Municipal Court FAQs
Contact Philip Kim Law for additional Braselton Municipal Court FAQs if you have further questions. Although you have the right to a conference with the prosecutor to discuss your charges before the trial, it is better to discuss your options with your lawyer. They can apply their skills, experiences, and resources to your case and guide you in the right direction.
What Are Braselton Municipal Court Costs?
To determine the prospective Braselton Municipal Court costs for your city ordinance violation or traffic citation, you can inquire by phone at least three business days after the citation is issued. Call 706-654-5553 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
If you are found guilty, the Braselton Municipal Court costs may consist of:
- Court costs
- Fees
- Fines
- Restitution
You may also be required to pay house arrest, imprisonment, and probation expenses. Additionally, once your case is resolved, you may have to pay a small fee to obtain your court records.
How Do You Pay Braselton Municipal Court Costs?
If a court appearance isn’t required, you can pay your Braselton Municipal Court costs with a money order or credit/debit card. Pay in person at the Braselton Police and Municipal Court facility, or send a money order, not a personnel check, to Braselton Police and Municipal Court 5040 Highway 53, P. O. Box 306 in Braselton, GA 30517. Pay by credit or debit card by calling 855-907-3330 or online at www.braselton.net.
What You Need to Know Before Going to Braselton Municipal Court
Everyone has the right to representation by a lawyer in the Braselton Municipal Court, but not everyone is automatically assigned a court-appointed public defender. You also have the right to represent yourself, but you may need a waiver of counsel expressing your intent if you face a potential jail sentence.
Depending on an overworked public defender or defending yourself is rarely the right decision. Choosing representation from a law office with a proven track record of successfully defending cases similar to yours offers you a better chance of moving forward with your life. Contact the experienced Gwinnett County criminal lawyers at Philip Kim Law for a free consultation.
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