Emergency Judicial Orders

A judicial emergency is defined as a state of emergency declared by the Governor, a public health emergency under O.C.G.A. § 31-12-1.1, a local emergency under O.C.G.A. § 36-69-2, or another serious emergency when the emergency substantially endangers or infringes upon the normal functioning of the judicial system, including the ability of persons or litigants to have access to the court or meet time deadlines imposed by court order or rule, statute, or administrative rule or regulation. O.C.G.A. § 38-3-60 (2).

Below is a list of circuits and courts that have filed orders granting relief from Statutory Speedy Trial Requirements pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 38-3-62 (b) and recent judicial emergency orders. Each order contains specific details for each county. Click on the links to view an order for a particular circuit or county.

Orders regarding the Statewide Judicial Emergency, which expired on June 30, 2021, at 11:59 p.m., remain on this page for informational purposes. Subsequent orders regarding local judicial emergencies and orders granting relief from Statutory Speedy Trial Requirements are found in the column “Orders Granting Relief from Statutory Speedy Trial Requirements and Local Emergency Orders.

Hurricane Helene September 30, 2024, Announcement:– Supreme Court of Georgia Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs today has issued a statewide judicial emergency order, extending certain deadlines in ongoing court proceedings due to the effects of tropical cyclone Helene.

The order’s extensions apply only in cases where parties affected by Helene certify that they were unable to file or take other required action by applicable deadlines. READ THE ORDER
Judicial Circuit Counties Judicial Circuit Orders Granting Relief from Statutory Speedy Trial Requirements Pursuant to OCGA. Sec 38-3-62(b) Recent Local Emergency Orders
Alapaha Circuit Atkinson, Berrien, Clinch, Cook, Lanier Alapaha_Circuit_2025-01-21_LJE HurricaneHelene_Alapaha_Atkinson_2024-10-26_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Atkinson 2024 09 27 Hurricane_Helene_Berrien 2024 09 27 Hurricane_Helene_Clinch 2024 09 27 Hurricane_Helene_Cook 2024 09 27 Hurricane_Helene_Lanier 2024 09 27 Hurricane_Helene_Alapaha_Atkinson 2024 09 25 Hurricane_Helene_Alapaha_Berrien 2024 09 25 Hurricane_Helene_Alapaha_Clinch 2024 09 25 Hurricane_Helene_Alapaha_Cook 2024 09 25
Alcovy Circuit Newton, Walton Alcovy_Circuit_2025-01-23_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Newton 2024 10 01 Hurricane_Helene_Newton 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Walton 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Alcovy 2024 09 26
Appalachian Circuit Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens Appalachian_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Fannin 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Gilmer 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Pickens 2024 09 26
Atlanta Circuit Fulton Atlanta_Fulton_Superior_2022 12 27_SSTR Atlanta_Fulton_Superior_2022 04 28_SSTR Atlanta_Fulton_Superior_2021 09 28_SSTR Atlanta_Circuit_2025-01-22_LJE Atlanta_Fulton_2025-01-09-LJE Hurricane_Helene_Atlanta_Fulton 2024 09 26
Atlantic Circuit Bryan, Evans, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Tattnall Atlantic_Bryan_Superior_2021 11 01_SSTR Atlantic_Bryan_Superior_2021 07 01_SSTR Atlantic_Evans_Superior_2021 07 01_SSTR Atlantic_Liberty_Superior_2021 07 01_SSTRAtlantic_Long_Superior_2021 07 01_SSTR Atlantic_McIntosh_Superior_2021 08 16_SSTRAtlantic_McIntosh_Superior_2021 07 01_SSTR Atlantic_Tattnall_Superior_2021 10 15_SSTR Atlantic_Tattnall_Superior_2021 07 01_SSTR Hurricane_Helene All-Counties 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Atlantic All-Counties – Amended Order 2024 09 25 DEBBY_Atlantic_All-Counties_2024-08-05_LJE Atlantic_Bryan_2022 04 06_LJE Atlantic_McIntosh_2021 08 16_LJE
Augusta Circuit Burke, Columbia, Richmond Hurricane_Helene_Burke_Richmond 2024 10 04 Hurricane_Helene_Burke_Richmond 2024 10 01 Hurricane_Helene_Burke_Richmond 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Richmond 2024 09 30 Augusta_Burke_2021 08 27_LJE Augusta_Burke_2021 07 30_LJE Augusta_Burke_2021 07 01_LJE Columbia County Order of Judicial Emergency Augusta_Richmond_2021 08 30_LJE Augusta_Richmond_2021 07 30_LJE Augusta_Richmond_2021_07 01_LJE
Bell-Forsyth Circuit Forsyth Bell-Forsyth_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Forsyth 2024 09 26
Blue Ridge Circuit Cherokee Blue Ridge_Cherokee_Superior_2021 10 14_SSTR Blue Ridge_Cherokee_Superior_2021 08 14_SSTR Blue RIdge_Cherokee_State_2021 10 25_SSTR Blue Ridge_Cherokee_2024-08 30_LJE Blue Ridge_Cherokee_2021 08 05_LJE
Brunswick Circuit Appling, Camden, Glynn, Jeff Davis, Wayne Brunswick_Circuit_2025-01-23_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Glynn 2024 10 09 Hurricane_Helene_Camden 2024 10 08 Hurricane_Helene_Appling 2024 10 02 Hurricane_Helene_Appling 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Brunswick_Camden 2024 09 25 Hurricane_Helene_Glynn 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Jeff Davis 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Wayne 2024 09 30 DEBBY_Brunswick_Appling_2024-08-05_LJE DEBBY_Brunswick_Camden_2024-08-05_LJE DEBBY_Brunswick_Glynn_2024-08-05_LJE DEBBY_Brunswick_Wayne_2024-08-05_LJE Brunswick_Camden_2024 05 10_LJE Brunswick_Camden_2024 01 08_LJE Brunswick_Jeff Davis 2024 01 08_LJE Brunswick_Appling_2021 09 01_LJE IDALIA_Brunswick_Appling_2023 08 29_LJE IDALIA_Brunswick_Camden_2023 08 29_LJE IDALIA_Brunswick_Glynn_2023 08 30_LJE IDALIA_Brunswick_Jeff Davis_2023 08 29_LJE IDALIA_Brunswick_Wayne_2023 08 29_LJEa
Chattahoochee Circuit Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, Talbot, Taylor Chattahoochee_Muscogee_Superior_2021 07 30_SSTR Chattahoochee_Harris_2026 02 10_LJE Chattahoochee_Circuit_2025-01-23_LJE Chattahoochee_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJEHurricane_Helene_Chattahoochee 2024 09 26Hurricane_Helene_Harris 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Marion 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Muscogee 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Talbot 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Taylor 2024 09 26 Chattahoochee_Taylor_2021 08 27_LJE
Cherokee Circuit Bartow, Gordon Cherokee_Bartow_Superior_2021 07 01_SSTR Cherokee_Gordon_Superior_2021 07 01_SSTR Cherokee_Circuit_2025-01-09-LJE
Clayton Circuit Clayton Clayton_Clayton_Superior_2022 12 27_SSTR Clayton_Circuit_2025-01-23_LJE Clayton_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE Clayton_Clayton_2022 12 28_LJE
Cobb Circuit Cobb Cobb_Cobb_Superior_2021 06 30_SSTR Cobb_Circuit_2025-01-21_LJE Cobb_Cobb_2025-01-08_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Cobb 2024 09 26 Cobb_Cobb_2024-08-07_LJE
Columbia Circuit Columbia Columbia_Columbia_Superior_2021 08 26_SSTR Hurricane_Helene_Columbia 2024 10 01 Hurricane_Helene Columbia 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Columbia 2024 09 26
Conasauga Circuit Murray, Whitfield
Cordele Circuit Ben Hill, Crisp, Dooly, Wilcox Cordele_Ben Hill_Superior_2023 04 24_SSTR Cordele_Ben Hill_Superior_2022 04 12_SSTR Cordele_Ben Hill_Superior_2021 07 08_SSTR Cordele_Crisp_Superior_2022 11 14_SSTR Cordele_Crisp_Superior_2022 03 15_SSTR Cordele_Crisp_Superior_2021 07 08_SSTR Cordele_Dooly_Superior_2022 11 14_SSTR Cordele_Dooly_Superior_2022 03 15_SSTR Cordele_Dooly_Superior_2021 07 08_SSTR Cordele_Wilcox_Superior_2023 04 12_SSTR Cordele_Wilcox_Superior_2022 04 12_SSTR Cordele_Wilcox_Superior_2021 07 08_SSTR Hurricane_Helene All-Counties 2024 09 26
Coweta Circuit Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, Troup Coweta_Meriwether_2025-01-21_LJE
DeKalb Circuit DeKalb DeKalb_Circuit_2025-01-22_LJE DeKalb_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE
Dougherty Circuit Doughterty Dougherty_Dougherty_Superior_2022 11 10_SSTR Dougherty_Dougherty_2022 03 11_SSTR Dougherty_Dougherty_Superior_2021 07 16_SSTR
Douglas Circuit Douglas Douglas_Circuit_2025-01-22_LJE Douglas_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE Hurricane_Helene Douglas 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Douglas 2024 09 25
Dublin Circuit Johnson, Laurens, Treutlen, Twiggs Dublin_Circuit_2025-01-21_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Treutlen 2024 10 01 Hurricane_Helene_Laurens 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Laurens Declaration of Judicial Emergency 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Johnson Declaration of Judicial Emergency 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Treutlen Declaration of Judicial Emergency 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Laurens 2024 09 26 Dublin_Johnson_2024-08-09_LJE IDALIA_Dublin_Johnson_2023 08 20_LJE IDALIA_Dublin_Laurens_2023 08 29_LJE IDALIA_Dublin_Twiggs_2023 08 29_LJE
Eastern Circuit Chatham Eastern_Chatham_Superior_2021 07 01_SSTR Eastern_Circuit_2025-01-24_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Chatham 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Chathame 2024 09 27 DEBBY_Eastern_Chatham_2024-08-05_LJE IDALIA_Eastern_Chatham_2023 08 29_LJE IDALIA_Eastern_Chatham_2023 08 30_LJE
Enotah Circuit Lumpkin, Towns, Union, White Enotah_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Lumpkin 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Towns 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Union 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_White 2024 09 26
Flint Circuit Henry Flint_Henry_Superior_2021 07 01_SSTR Flint_Henry_Superior_2023 06 30_SSTR Flint_Circuit_2025-01-22_LJE Flint_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE
Griffin Circuit Fayette, Pike, Spalding, Upson Griffin_Circuit_2025-01-22_LJE Griffin_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Spalding State Court 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Spalding Superior Court 2024 09 26
Gwinnett Circuit Gwinnett Gwinnett_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE. Hurricane_Helene_Gwinnett 2024 09 27
Houston Circuit Houston Hurricane_Helene_Houston Declaration of Judicial Emergency 2024 09 25 Hurricane Helene_Houston 2024 09 25
Lookout Mountain Circuit Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Walker Lookout-Mtn_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE
Macon Circuit Bibb, Crawford, Peach Hurricane_Helene_Bibb 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Crawford 2024 09 26
Middle Circuit Candler, Emanuel, Jefferson, Toombs, Washington Middle_Emanuel_2025-01-23_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Jefferson 2024 10 08 Extending Judicial Emergency Hurricane_Helene_Jefferson 2024 10 08 Hurricane_Helene All-Counties 2024 10 04 Hurricane_Helene_Jefferson 2024 10 04 Hurricane_Helene All-Counties 2024 10 01 Hurricane_Helene_Candler 2024 10 01 Hurricane_Helene_Emanuel 2024 10 01 Hurricane_Helene_Jefferson 2024 10 01 Hurricane_Helene_Toombs 2024 10 01 Hurricane_Helene_Washington 2024 10 01 Hurricane_Helene_Candler 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Jefferson 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Toombs 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Candler 2024 09 27 Hurricane_Helene_Emanuel 2024 09 27 Hurricane_Helene_Toombs 2024 09 27 Hurricane_Helene_Candler 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Emanuel 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Jefferson 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Toombs 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene Washington 2024 09 26
Mountain Circuit Habersham, Rabun, Stephens Mountian_Circuit_2025-01-12_LJE Mountain_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE Hurricane_Helene All-Counties 2024 09 26
Northeastern Circuit Dawson, Hall Northeastern_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Dawson 2024 09 26
Northern Circuit Elbert, Franklin, Hart, Madison, Oglethorpe Northern_Franklin_Superior_2022 03 18_SSTR Northern_Franklin_Superior_2021 09 17_SSTR Northern_Hart_Superior_2022 02 16_SSTR Northern_Hart_Superior_2021 08 13_SSTR Northern_Hart_2026 02 03_LJE Northern_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Elbert 2024 09 26Hurricane_Helene_Franklin 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Hart 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Madison 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Oglethorpe 2024 09 26
Ocmulgee Circuit Baldwin, Greene, Hancock, Jasper, Jones, Morgan, Putham, Wilkinson Ocmulgee_Circuit_2025-01-22_LJE Ocmulgee-Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE
Oconee Circuit Bleckley, Dodge, Montgomery, Pulaski, Telfair, Wheeler Oconee_Circuit_2025-01-23_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Montgomery 2024 10 01 Hurricane_Helene_Telfair 2024 10 01 Hurricane_Helene_Wheeler 2024 10 01 Hurricane_Helene_Dodge 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Montgomery 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Telfair 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Wheeler 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene All- Counties 2024 09 29 IDALIA_Oconee_Dodge_2023 08 30_LJE
Ogeechee Circuit Bulloch, Effingham, Jenkins, Screven Ogeechee_Effingham_2026_01_22_LJE Ogeechee_Circuit_2025-01-22_LJE.Hurricane_Helene All-Counties 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Effingham 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Screven 2024 09 26 DEBBY_Ogeechee_Bulloch2024-08-05_LJE DEBBY_Ogeechee_Effingham_2024-08-05_LJE Ogeechee_Effingham_2024 02 23_LJE Ogeechee_Jenkins_2024 01 09_LJE Ogeechee_Screven_2024 01 09_LJE IDALIA_Ogeechee_Effingham_2023 08 30_LJE IDALIA_Ogeechee_Jenkins_2023 08 30_LJE
Pataula Circuit Clay, Early, Miller, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell Pataula_Circuit_2025-01-23_LJE Hurricane_Helene All-Counties 2024 09 26
Paulding Circuit Paulding Paulding_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Paulding 2024 09 26
Piedmont Circuit Banks, Barrow, Jackson Piedmont_Circuit_2025-01-23_LJE.pdf Piedmont_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJEHurricane_Helene_Banks 2024 09 26Hurricane_Helene_Barrow 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Jackson 2024 09 26
Rockdale Circuit Rockdale Rockdale_Rockdale_Superior_2021 12 29_SSTR Rockdale_Rockdale_Superior_2021 07 01_SSTR Rockdale_Rockdale_Superior_2021 06 30_SSTR Rockdale_Rockdale_Superior_2021 06 27_SSTR Rockdale_Circuit_2025-01-22_LJE Rockdale_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Rockdale 2024 10 01 Hurricane_Helene_ Rockdale Order Extending Judicial Emeregency 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene_Rockdale 2024 09 30
Rome Circuit Floyd Rome_Floyd_2024-01-09_LJE Hurricane_Helene_Rome_Floyd 2024 09 26
South Georgia Circuit Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Grady, Mitchell Hurricane_Helene_South Georgia 2024 09 25
Southern Circuit Brooks, Colquitt, Echols, Lowndes, Thomas Southern_Brooks_Superior_2021 06 22_SSTR Southern_Colquitt_Superior_2021 06 22_SSTR Southern_Lowndes_Superior_2021 06 21_SSTR Southern_Lowndes_State_2021 07 01_SSTR Southern_Thomas_Superior_2021 07 06_SSTR Southern_Circuit_2025-01-24_LJE Hurricane_Helene All-Counties 2024 09 30 Hurricane_Helene All-Counties 2024 09 26
Southwestern Circuit Lee, Macon, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Webster
Stone Mountain Circuit DeKalb Stone Mountain_DeKalb_Superior_2021 07 06_SSTR Hurricane_Helene_DeKalb 2024 09 26
Tallapoosa Circuit Haralson, Polk Tallapoosa_Circuit_2025-01-09_LJE Hurricane_Helene All-Counties 2024 09 26
Tifton Circuit Irwin, Tift, Turner, Worth
Toombs Circuit Glascock, Lincoln, McDuffie, Taliaferro, Warren, Wilkes Hurricane_Helene_Glascock 2024 10 03 Hurricane_Helene_McDuffie 2024 10 03 Hurricane_Helene_Taliaferro 2024 10 03 Hurricane_Helene_Warren 2024 10 03 Hurricane_Helene_Glascock 2024 09 26
Towaliga Circuit Butts, Lamar, Monroe
Waycross Circuit Bacon, Brantley, Charlton, Coffee, Pierce, Ware Waycross_Circuit_2025-01-21_LJE. Hurricane_Helene_All-Counties 2024 10 04 Hurricane_Helene All Counties 2024 09 28 Hurricane_Helene All-Counties 2024 09 26 DEBBY_Waycross_All-Counties_2024-08-05_LJE IDALIA_Waycross_ALL COUNTIES 2023 08 30_LJE IDALIA_Ware_and_Pierce_County_2023 08 31_LJE
Western Circuit Clarke, Oconee Western_Oconee_2025-01-23_LJE Hurricane_Helene Athens-Clarke 2024 09 26 Hurricane_Helene_Oconee 2024 09 26 Western_Clarke_2024 07 26_LJE
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