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 OCGA § 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. Please see our COVID-19 Preparedness and Updates site and the Supreme Court of Georgia Information on COVID-19 Court Operating Guidelines and Court Guidance for more resources.

Orders in the column “Judicial Circuit Orders granting relief from Statutory Speedy Trial Requirements pursuant to OCGA. Sec 38-3-62 (b)” provide chief superior court judges and chief state court judges the authority to grant relief from statutory speedy trial requirements in their respective courts, as specified. The authority to grant such relief is in effect until June 30, 2023, however, the duration of the relief granted under this subsection may extend beyond that date. OCGA § 38-3-62 (b) (13).