Mission

The Georgia Constitution established the courts of the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit to enforce and administer the laws of this state and of the United States. As a separate and distinct branch of government, the courts are under a constitutional mandate to resolve disputes and enforce laws in a fair and impartial manner. This is the sole mission of the courts.
Vision

The judges of the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit are committed to continued professional, efficient, and impartial case resolution. By completing its mission, the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit will continue to be recognized as a dynamic and progressive court system.
Values
  • Quality: The court will strive to provide the highest quality of justice
  • Strategic Thinking: We commit to implementing programs and processes that promote the continuation of effective case flow management to meet the challenges of the future
  • Access: Courthouses will be safe environments where the public can conduct their business
  • Innovation: The court will implement innovative programs that use modern technology
  • Service: Meet the challenges of providing services to our increasing and diverse population with a commitment to ensuring public trust and confidence in the judicial system
  • Stewardship: We will act as responsible caretakers of the financial and human resources entrusted to the courts

Magistrate Court
Magistrate court jurisdiction includes: civil claims of $15,000 or less; certain minor criminal offenses; distress warrants and dispossessory writs; county ordinance violations; deposit account fraud (bad checks); preliminary hearings; and summonses, arrest and search warrants. A chief magistrate, who may be assisted by one or more magistrates, presides over each of Georgia's 159 magistrate courts.

Magistrates may grant bail in cases where the setting of bail is not exclusively reserved to a judge of another court. No jury trials are held in magistrate court. If a defendant submits a written request for a jury trial, cases may be removed to superior or state court.

The chief magistrate of each county assigns cases, sets court sessions, appoints other magistrates (with the consent of the superior court judges) and sets policy for the magistrate court. The number of magistrates in addition to the chief is usually set by majority vote of the county's superior court judges. Most chief magistrates are elected in partisan, countywide elections to four-year terms.

Magistrate Bench (full-time)

 
     
  Hon. George F Hutchinson III, Chief Judge 770.822.8080
  Hon. Mark Lewis 770.822.8081
  Hon. Valeria E Head 770.822.8081
  Hon. Robert D Walker Jr 770.822.8081
  Hon. Laura M Tate 770.822.8081