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Courts and Trials

On Monday, June 7, Chief Justice Harold D. Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia extended the statewide judicial emergency declaration through June 30, 2021.

Judge Melton lifted the suspension of jury trials in Georgia, stating that trial courts may resume jury trials “if that can be done safely and in accordance with a final jury trial plan developed in collaboration with the local committee of judicial system participants and incorporated into the court’s written operating guidelines for in-person proceedings.”

As with previous orders, this order continues to encourage all courts to use technology to conduct remote judicial proceedings as a safer alternative to in-person proceedings where practicable and lawful.

As a result of this extension, the March 30 order signed by Chief Judge George Hutchinson III of the Gwinnett County Superior Court is also extended through June 30.

Previous orders:

Guidelines in place for in-court judicial proceedings

The Gwinnett Judicial Circuit has established a set of guidelines to follow to enhance safety for in-court proceedings. The guidelines cover general infection control measures, increased health and safety measures, healthy and safe access to the courtroom, maintaining a healthy and safe courtroom, and healthy and safe court employees, jurors, and inmates.

Electronic filing of documents in criminal cases available

The Gwinnett County Clerk of Court will continue to offer electronic filing and other socially distant services. The Clerk of Court will also continue to offer limited in-person service. However, customers are strongly encouraged to use electronic filing, which is available 24 hours a day. For court filings: EFileGA.com and real estate filings: EFile.gsccca.org. You may purchase electronic copies of most records at ResearchGA.tylerhost.net.

Probate Court

While still under the guidelines of the Order, the Gwinnett County Probate Court safely re-opened its offices this summer. Most services will be provided in person, with the exception of requests for birth, death, and marriage certificates that will be received by mail or by using the Probate Court’s drop box.

Marriage license applications and weapons carry license applications will be accepted by appointment only. Please visit GwinnettCourts.com/probate to download the application and schedule your appointment. Other Probate Court services should be handled by mail or online. For more information, visit GwinnettCourts.com/probate or email probatecourt@gwinnettcounty.com.

Recorder’s Court

The Recorder's Court of Gwinnett County is operating pursuant to the Supreme Court Chief Justice's Judicial Emergency Order, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more detailed information regarding court operations, during the Judicial Emergency period, please visit the COVID-19 Update page.