Dealing With Cases at the Lawrenceville Municipal Court

Types of Cases Handled by the Lawrenceville Municipal Court

The Lawrenceville Municipal Court has jurisdiction over the following types of cases:

Traffic Offenses

The court can decide on Georgia State Patrol traffic offenses or other traffic violations within city limits. Some of those offenses include:

• Driving without insurance

• Overspeeding

• Moving violations

• Reckless driving

Things could get complicated when dealing with traffic violations, especially since a conviction could lead to a suspension of your driver’s license by the Department of Driver Services. In such cases, you may need an experienced traffic violations attorney to defend you and help you navigate the court system successfully.

Violations of Georgia State Law 

The court has jurisdiction over certain misdemeanor crimes under Title 36 Chapter 32 of the Georgia Code, including the following:

• Shoplifting

• Providing a person less than 21 years old with alcoholic beverages or the purchase and possession of alcoholic beverages by a person under 21(If it is a first-time violation)

• Littering offenses (if the defendant waives their right to trial by jury)

• Refund fraud 

• Sale and possession of drug-related objects

• Possession of marijuana (one ounce or less).

Violations of Lawrenceville Local Laws

The activities of Lawrenceville residents are governed by local laws contained in the Lawrenceville Code of Ordinances. Some of the activities prohibited under the code include the following:

• Selling alcoholic beverages without a license

• Operating a gambling place

• Operating an amusement game room without a license

• Failure to maintain buildings according to building regulations

• Soliciting contributions on the street without a police permit.

Gwinnett County Animal Control Violations

The municipal court decides on criminal and civil violations of the Gwinett County Animal Control Ordinance. If your pet harms someone or damages their property in Lawrenceville, your case would likely be heard there.

Again, the municipal court’s jurisdiction is restricted to municipality incidents that occur within the city. If your case occurred outside Lawrenceville but elsewhere in Gwinnett County, you can contact the Gwinnett County Courts administration to search for your case. 

Where Is the Lawrenceville Municipal Court Located?

You can find the Lawrenceville Municipal Court at 70 S Clayton St, Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30046, United States. You can also reach the court via email at [email protected] or telephone at 770-963-3288.

Cases are heard from Tuesday to Thursday at 9 AM and 1 PM on Tuesdays each week. Confirm the time scheduled for your case before you visit.

Is Court Attendance at the Lawrenceville Municipal Court Mandatory?

Some cases scheduled for hearing at the Lawrenceville Municipal Court can be concluded without the defendant’s attendance in court. For instance, if you’ve received a traffic citation, you can pay the fine stipulated in your ticket before the scheduled court date. Once you’ve done this, there’s no need to appear in court.

Fines can be paid as follows;

• Online via the Lawrenceville Georgia online payment page
• By mail
• In person at the courthouse
• By calling this telephone number- (844-229-2183)

Remember that the fine must be paid before your hearing. If you intend to pay online, you have until 7. AM on your hearing date to make payment. If you’re paying by mail, ensure the court receives your payment at least a day before your court date.

If you fail to make payment and do not appear in court for your hearing, the judge may issue a bench warrant authorizing your arrest.

When a Mandatory Court Appearance Is Required

Some cases at the municipal court require the defendant to appear in court and go through the arraignment and trial process. The option of paying a fine does not apply in such cases.

You must appear in court in the following cases;

• You’ve been charged with serious traffic or other criminal law violations.
• Your case involves nuisance violations.
• You are under 21, and your case involves serious violations of sections 40-5-57.1 of the Georgia Code (The section provides for license suspension of people less than 21 who have been convicted for traffic offenses like a hit-and-run)
• You are under 18, and your case involves traffic or criminal law violations.
• The judge requests your presence based on your driving or criminal record.

The municipal court does not attend to cases involving suspects under 17. Those within this category who have received a citation for traffic or drug offenses may need to contact the juvenile drug courts in the county for information.

If you’ll be absent from court on the set date for any reason, you’ll need to inform the court clerk of your intended absence at least two days before the hearing. Otherwise, a bench warrant may be issued for your arrest, and you could spend time in jail.

If you need clarification on whether your case requires a mandatory court appearance, you can confirm the details from the court officials via the official phone number provided earlier.

Courtroom Etiquette at the Lawrenceville Municipal Court

If you need to appear before this court, there are some rules of conduct you must comply with. They include the following:

• Be on time
• Weapons, food, beverages, and chewing gum are prohibited. Do not enter the court with such items
• Remember to stand when the judge enters or exits the courtroom
• Dress appropriately. Hats or head coverings ( unless for religious purposes), sunglasses, tube or halter tops, ripped jeans, mini skirts, or shorts are prohibited in court.

Let Us Help With Your Lawrenceville Municipal Court Case at Philip Kim Law, P.C.

If you have questions about your Lawrenceville Municipal Court case or citation, we can help at Philip Kim Law, P.C. We have tons of experience dealing with criminal cases in Gwinnett County municipal and other state courts.

If you let us, we can use our knowledge and experience for your benefit and work towards an acceptable outcome for your case. With us, you can rest easy knowing you’ll get top-notch representation throughout your case.

Contact us today to book your free consultation and get started with your defense.