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1. Can I have my case reset or continued?

Only a legal excuse for missing court can result in a case being reset. Legal excuses include incarceration, medical excuse, hospitalization, or death. Anything else is at the discretion of the judges. Continuances will not be granted the day of court except by personal appearance in court by the defendant and/or their attorney.

2. Can I have a jury trial in Recorder’s Court?

No. All trials in Recorder’s Court are bench trials. Bench trials are trials in which evidence is presented to a judge, and in which the judge renders a verdict. However, you can have a trial in state court on a state charge.

3. May I pay my fine online?

Yes. However, not all tickets can be paid online as some require a mandatory court appearance.

4. May I pay my fine with a credit card?

Yes. The court accepts Visa, MasterCard and debit cards. These payments must be paid in person. The court also accepts cash, local personal checks, money orders and certified checks.

5. Do I need an attorney?

The assistance of counsel is your right. However, we cannot advise you as to whether or not you will need an attorney. Additionally, if you seek a court appointed attorney, you will need to contact the Public Defender’s Office. The Public Defender’s Office number is (912) 447-4901.

6. I received a citation for "no proof of insurance" (O.C.G.A. 40-6-10). I have insurance but did not have my insurance card to show to the officer. What do I do?

If you have received a citation for "no proof of insurance", you must provide the court with your insurance card showing that the vehicle you were driving was insured at the time the citation was written. You may file your proof of insurance with the court at the cashier's window prior to your court date. You may also file proof of insurance by mailing it to:
The Recorder's Court of Chatham County
Attention: Cashier
133 Montgomery Street
Savannah, GA 31499

The judge will review the proof of insurance on your court date. You do not have to appear in court; however, if the proof is not accepted by the judge, you will be notified of a new court date.

If the vehicle you were driving was not insured, you must appear in court on your court date.

If the vehicle you were driving is covered by a "fleet policy", you must appear in court and present the insurance card to the judge and to testify that the vehicle is covered by the policy referenced on the card.

7. How many points will be placed on my driver's license?

View the Georgia Points System

See O.C.G.A. 40-5-57 for complete code.

8. The court notified the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety that I didn't appear at my scheduled hearing, what do I do?

If you are licensed by another state, contact the licensing authority of that state.

The Recorder’s Court of Chatham County has notified the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety that you failed to appear before the court to answer to the charges alleged by the officer issuing you a citation. As a result, the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety may have suspended your driving privileges. This suspension will remain active until the Department receives notice from the Court that you have met all sanctions imposed by the Court. If you are licensed by another state, contact the licensing authority of that state.

Once you satisfy the sanctions imposed by the Court, you will be given the “Defendant’s Receipt” (pink receipt) of the suspension notice. If you are licensed by the State of Georgia, you must present this copy to the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety. You can do this by taking this receipt to your local Driver's License Office. If you are licensed by another state, contact the licensing authority of that state.

As a result of this suspension, the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety requires that you pay a reinstatement fee before your driving privileges will be reinstated. The Court will notify the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety that you have satisfied all sanctions imposed. However, the reinstatement process will move faster if take your “Defendant’s Receipt” to the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety or local Driver's License Office. If you are licensed by another state, contact the licensing authority of that state.

If you have any questions regarding your driving privileges you should contact:
Savannah Office
1117 Eisenhower Dr.
Savannah, GA 31405
(912) 691-7400

Main Office
2206 East View Parkway
Conyers, GA 30013-5755
(404) 624-7576

9. How do I get information about the citation I've been issued?

To allow time for your citation to be processed, please wait at least 4 working days before calling. All citations are subject to a fine. After calling the 24 hour information line, you may still have questions. If so, call the Clerk’s Office at (912) 652-7424.

Depending on the agency issuing the citation, the following information may appear on the back of the citation issued to you.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL
THE RECORDER’S COURT OF CHATHAM COUNTY
(912) 652-7424

IMPORTANT
If you intend to enter a plea of “not guilty” to the charge(s) against you, contact the Clerk’s Office at the number listed above. You will be assigned a bench trial date different from the date indicated on the front of this citation.

If you wish to waive your right to a hearing and enter a plea of “guilty”, you may pay your fine, in full, by appearing at or mailing your payment to the address below. Be sure to include your citation with your payment. Call the Clerk’s Office or visit the court’s website (www.chathamcourts.org) to determine the amount of the fine.
The Recorder's Court of Chatham County
Attention: Cashier
133 Montgomery Street
Savannah, GA 31401

You may pay your fine between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., Monday-Friday.

If you wish to appear in court to enter a plea of “guilty” or “no contest” to the charge(s) against you, appear in court on the date and time shown on the front of the citation. If you enter a plea of “not guilty” at this hearing, your case will be assigned to a trial calendar and you will be asked to return to court on the trial date.

If you were involved in an accident, you must pay your fine one week prior to the hearing date shown on the front of this citation.

PURSUANT TO GEORGIA CODE 17-6-11, IF YOU HAVE BEEN ISSUED A COURT SUMMONS AND FAIL TO APPEAR TO ANSWER TO THE CHARGE, A WARRANT WILL BE ISSUED FOR YOUR ARREST AND/OR YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE SHALL BE SUSPENDED BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
THE FOLLOWING OFFENSES REQUIRE A MANDATORY COURT APPEARANCE

1. No Insurance (if unable to provide proof prior to court date).
2. Driving under the influence of alcohol/ drugs.
3. Driving on a suspended or revoked license.
4. Failure to report an accident.
5. Hit and run or leaving the scene of an accident.
6. Using vehicle in fleeing or attempting to elude an officer.
7. Racing.
8. Reckless driving, aggressive driving or laying drag.
9. Fraudulent or fictitious use of driver’s license or fraudulently obtaining a driver’s license.
10. Homicide or feticide by vehicle.
11. Homicide or serious injury by interfering with a traffic control device or railroad sign/signal.
12. Serious injury by vehicle.
13. Any felony in which a vehicle is used.

I, THE UNDERSIGNED, DO HEREBY ENTER MY WRITTEN, RATHER THAN PERSONAL APPEARANCE IN THE COURT CASE RESULTING FROM THE VIOLATION CHARGED ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THE CITATION. I UNDERSTAND THAT BY PAYING MY FINE AND NOT PERSONALLY APPEARING BEFORE THE COURT I WAIVE ANY RIGHT THAT I MIGHT HAVE HAD TO A TRIAL BY JUDGE OR JURY AND TO BE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT BY PAYING THE FINE, I HAVE PLEADED GUILTY TO THE OFFENSE AS CHARGED.

SIGNATURE OF ACCUSED ________________________________________________

10. How do I find out the status of my driver's license?

THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ISSUANCE AND/OR SUSPENSION OF A PERSON'S DRIVING PRIVILEGES. IF YOU HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT YOUR LICENSE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AS A RESULT OF A TRAFFIC CONVICTION AND/OR FAILURE-TO-APPEAR, YOU WILL NEED TO PROVIDE THE COURT WITH SOME AND POSSIBLY ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

CITATION NUMBER
DATE OF VIOLATION
TRIAL DATE
DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER
COURT CODE NUMBER OR NAME

TO OBTAIN THIS INFORMATION, YOU SHOULD CALL THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
(678) 413-8400

11. What is my right to be represented by an attorney?

You have the right to be represented by an attorney in all criminal proceedings against you. If you are not financially able to employ an attorney of your own choice, you have a right to have the Court appoint an attorney to represent you.
An attorney can help you: (1) understand the charge or charges against you; (2) determine whether a legally sufficient accusation has been filed against you; (3) determine whether you have any defense to the charge or charges against you, possible defenses may include but are not limited to self-defense, alibi, misidentification, accident, and reliance on the presumption of innocence and the State’s burden to prove you guilty on all elements of the charge or charges against you beyond a reasonable doubt; (4) prepare and conduct any trial held on the charge or charges against you; (5) determine what evidence is legally admissible against you; (6) file motions and make objections to exclude evidence which is not legally admissible against you; (7) determine what evidence you would be able to present in your defense; (8) file motions to obtain information from the prosecution, such as police reports, scientific reports, witness statements, video or audiotapes, photographs, etc.; (9) make strategic decisions as to the calling of witnesses and whether or not you should testify at trial; (10) properly preserve legal issues for appeal in the event that you are convicted at trial; (11) conduct plea negotiations on your behalf if you desire to plead guilty to the charge or charges against you; (12) make sure all of your rights as a defendant in a criminal case are protected.