Pike County Times

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PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. You can donate through PayPal at the link on the bottom of the page. Becky Watts: Phone # 770-468-7583 editor(@)pikecountytimes.com
 
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Pike County Magistrate Court Details Temporary Operations During COVID-19 Precautions

ZEBULON - On March 14, 2020 The Honorable Harold D. Melton, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia entered an Order Declaring a Statewide Judicial Emergency created by COVID-19. Prior to the Chief Justice’s Declaration, your judges of Pike County and the Griffin Judicial Circuit were already taking proactive steps, lead by the Chief Judge C. Edwards.

In an effort to do our part locally to stop or limit the spread of COVID-19, the Pike County Magistrate Court will follow the lead of the Supreme Court of Georgia by making provisions for the operations of the Courts to continue while offering options to temporarily limit social contact and the opportunity for COVID-19 to spread. Rest assured, the judiciary and local governments are taking measures to keep courthouses open as feasible, while exercising discretion to avoid requiring attendance by anyone sick or with identified Coronavirus/COVID-19 exposure. We are working on expanding the options for filings to be generated and filed online.

Currently, you may file online (preferred) or preprint and complete documents for filing by following the links on our website at magistratepikega.com, or by going directly to georgiamagistratecouncil.com. These may be accomplished from the comfort of your own home or device, or, for those not having personal online access, Pike County does provide a public Law Library area on the second floor of the Courthouse, complete with a computer, multifunction printer/copier/facsimile/scanner.

Using these methods, you may access all forms, as well as the Magistrate Guide & File Interviews on several actions. You may call the Magistrate Office at 770-567-2004 to discuss other filing and payment options, for assistance with online filing, or any other information. If necessary, you may still file by mailing to: Pike County Magistrate Court, PO Box 466, Zebulon, Georgia 30295 or scheduling an appointment.

With the exception of emergency matters (those affecting life or liberty) which will continue to be heard expeditiously, per the Supreme Court Order, hearings in Magistrate Court in all other cases will be continued or postponed until at least April 13, 2020; however, this date may be extended by another Order of the Supreme Court or by necessity in the aftermath of this State of Emergency. Although civil hearings will be scheduled or rescheduled with a prospective date in May, we will continue to screen all cases and address the most urgent of needs.

Again, should you desire to file a civil case during this period, please visit our website at magistratepikega.com and follow the directions for e-filing. Please also note the Order of the Supreme Court of Georgia also provides for the tolling of statutes of limitations, service time limits, and the filing of answers, among other things (See Chief Justice Melton’s Amended Order). Again, your Magistrate Court will continue to hold urgent and emergency hearings in civil and criminal cases as necessary, such as hearings on Warrants, First Appearances, Bonds, some Preliminary Hearings, and Temporary Protective Orders, as well as in civil cases where an emergency need presents.

We apologize for any inconvenience these measures may cause. However, please know that we are taking such measures to protect you, your loved ones and our community from the spread of COVID-19. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our clerks at (770) 567-2004.

We also want to take this time to remind everyone that if you were fortunate enough to stock up on products such as hand sanitizer, Lysol, Clorox and/or disinfecting wipes, the next step to keeping yourself, your loved ones can our community safe is to share those products with those with whom you and your loved ones come into contact. Remember, by preventing the spread we increase the likelihood of protecting ourselves and our loved ones from the potentially devastating effects of COVID-19.

Thank you for your cooperation and consideration in making these emergency measures short in duration.

Marcia Callaway-Ingram,
Chief Magistrate of Pike County

Submitted 3.20.20
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