Magistrate Court

Court Information

Judicial Center

The Newton County Magistrate Court’s jurisdiction covers the following:

> Civil Claims up to $15,000
> Dispossessories (Landlord/Tenant)
> Garnishments
> Foreclosures
> Issuance of Criminal Arrest Warrants
> Commitment Hearings
> Prosecution of Misdemeanor Deposit Account Fraud (Bad Checks)
> Prosecution of County Ordinance Violations

HELPFUL LINKS

Georgia Magistrate Council
https://georgiamagistratecouncil.com/
> Forms
> Video Tutorials

e-Filing
https://www.efilegeorgia.com/

State of Georgia Rental Assistance Program
https://georgiarentalassistance.ga.gov/

Courtroom and Office Locations: 

Newton County Judicial Center
1132 Usher Street
Covington, Georgia 30014

  • Juvenile Court – 1st Floor
  • Probate Court – 1st Floor
  • Magistrate Court – 1st Floor
  • Superior Courts and Judges’ Chambers – 2nd Floor
  • Law Library – 2nd Floor
  • District Attorney’s Office – 3rd Floor
  • Clerk of Superior Courts – 3rd Floor

Hours:
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday

Directions

Effective October 6, 2023 – Order Regarding Electronic Recording and Use of Cell Phones in the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr., Judicial Center

Effective October 6, 2023 – Pursuant to Uniform Superior Court Rule 22, electronic recording shall not take place in any courtroom of the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr., Judicial Center unless permission is granted by the judge in that courtroom. See the link below for Rule 22 and Request to Record Proceedings.

Cellphones are allowed in the judicial center but must be turned off prior to entering any courtroom and remain off while in the courtroom in order to avoid disruption of court proceedings. Anyone who needs to turn on his or her phone while in the courtroom must ask permission of the judge presiding in that courtroom at that time.

Any person violating any term of this order may be held in contempt and punished by confinement in the county jail for up to 20 days, imposition of a fine up to $1,000.00, or both.

Click the link shown below for a copy of the order entered.

Order Regarding Electronic Recording and Use of Cell Phones in the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr., Judicial Center

Regarding Use of Electronic Devices

Rule 22 – Regarding the use of electronic devices in courtrooms and recording of judicial proceedings has been amended effective May 1, 2018.  Rule 22 and Request to Record Proceedings

Courtroom Conduct

 Basic Rules of Court Conduct

  • Proper dress required
  • Shoes required
  • Children must behave
  • Absolutely NO cellular phones or pagers
  • No hats, shorts, skorts, mini skirts, tanktops, tubetops or undershirts allowed in courtroom
  • No loud talking
  • No profanity

No pocketknives, sharp objects or weapons (including chemical/defense sprays) of any kind are allowed in the courthouse.