Superior CourtThe superior court is Georgia’s general jurisdiction trial court. It has exclusive, constitutional authority over felony cases, divorce, equity and cases regarding title to land. The exclusive jurisdiction of this court also covers such matters as declaratory judgments, habeas corpus, mandamus, quo warranto and prohibition. The superior court corrects errors made by lower courts by issuing writs of certiorari; for some lower courts, the right to direct review by the superior court applies. Superior courts are organized into 10 Judicial Districts, comprised of 49 judicial circuits. Each county has its own superior court, though a judge may serve more than one county. A chief judge handles the administrative tasks for each circuit. Habersham is in the Mountain Judicial Circuit along with Rabun and Stephens Counties. The Mountain Circuit has two judges, Chief Judge E.H. (Bucky) Woods III in Clarkesville and Judge James E. (Jim) Cornwell in Toccoa. Superior court judges are elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan, circuit-wide races. To qualify as a superior court judge, a candidate must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of Georgia for at least three years, and have practiced law for at least seven years. Superior court judges who have retired and taken senior status may hear cases in any circuit at the request of a local judge, an administrative judge, or the governor. Contact InformationHabersham CountyMailing Address: P O Box 485 Clarkesville, GA 30523 Location: 555 Monroe Street County Courthouse, third floor Clarkesville, GA 30523 Phone: 706-754-6274 Fax: 706-754-4722 Ernest Woods III, Judge Secretary: Rebecca Webb Court Reporter: Pam Cobb Phone: 706-886-6432 Stephens County Mailing Address: P O Box 758 Toccoa, GA 30577 Location: Toccoa, Georgia 30577 Phone: 706-886-7525 Fax: 706-886-1259 James Cornwell Jr., Judge Secretary: Johnnie Eller Court Reporter: Anita Moore Phone: 706-779-2295 E-mail: james.cornwell@gsccca.org |
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