Magistrate Courts handle a variety of criminal cases stemming from alleged violations of the laws of the State of Georgia as well as alleged violations of County Ordinances. Cases are brought to us from various law enforcement agencies, including Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia State Patrol and other State Departments with citation powers, Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Zebulon and Molena Municipalities, and other State and County Officers (i.e., State Dept. of Agriculture, Animal Control Officer(s), Building & Zoning Officer(s), etc.) with citation and, sometimes, search and seizure powers. We regularly hold hearings on arrest warrant applications, search warrant applications, as well as First Appearance Hearings, Bond Hearings, and Preliminary Hearings in felony and misdemeanor cases in which a warrant has issued. Magistrates may dismiss warrants for lack of probable cause or, where probable cause is confirmed, the Magistrate will bind warrants over to Superior Court for possible prosecution. Magistrate Court may handle and dispose of certain misdemeanor charges including, but not limited to, Deposit Account Fraud cases, as well as County Ordinance violations.
ARRESTS UNDER STATE WARRANT
First Appearance and Bond Hearings are held Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and on Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. when timing so requires. Persons arrested prior to the issuance of a warrant must be brought before a judge within 48 hours of arrest. Persons arrested after the issuance must be brought before a judge within 72 hours of arrest. You may call the Pike County Jail (770-567-8431) or the Pike County Magistrate Court (770-567-2004) to inquire about a First Appearance or Bond Hearing schedule.
PRELIMINARY HEARINGS
Preliminary Hearings are held every Thursday at 1:30 p.m. to re-examine the alleged facts that gave rise to the issuance of arrest warrant(s). The date of the scheduled Preliminary Hearing is announced at the First Appearance Hearing, scheduling enough time for the accused to retain an attorney and both attorneys enough time to review and prepare for a preliminary hearing in the case. This hearing may be waived by the accused, by the accused’s attorney, or simply by making bond and failing to confirm by noon on Monday prior to the scheduled Preliminary Hearing date announced at the First Appearance Hearing. Waiver of the Preliminary Hearing by any of these actions or in-actions will result in the existing warrants being transferred to Superior Court for further examination and prosecution. All who have not posted Bond by their scheduled Preliminary Hearing date will be provided an opportunity for a Preliminary Hearing and, if requested, bond reconsideration. If you have posted bond, please confirm or waive your Preliminary Hearing by noon on the Monday prior to your scheduled hearing date. You may call 770-567-2004 to confirm or waive said hearing.
COUNTY ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS
COUNTY ORDINANCE CITATIONS
If you have received a County Ordinance Violation Citation, your case will usually be placed on the County Ordinance Arraignment Calendar for the second Wednesday of the month following the month the citation was issued. Call the Magistrate Court Clerk to confirm time and placement at 770-567-2004. The call of the Arraignment Calendar begins at 10:00 a.m. each second Wednesday. Some cases may be resolved before or at arraignment, while others will need to proceed to trial. Trials are held on the third Thursday of each month beginning at 10:00 a.m.
If you have any questions regarding ANY County Ordinances, please visit the Pike County Government’s website. The Ordinances may be found at: Pike County Ordinances Please note: Contact the Commissioner’s Office to ensure the most recent Ordinances are posted. Their number is (770) 567-3406.