Court Appearance

Appearing in Court

If you choose to appear in court or have a case that requires a mandatory court appearance, Court will begin at 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, and is held at the Municipal Complex at 181 Larkin Street. Please check your citation for the specific date that you must appear or call the Cornelia Municipal Court at 706-778-4314 Ext 230. Please arrive a few minutes early in an effort to clear the security check point areas. For Court security you may be subject to a search by the court bailiffs. No weapons, food, or drinks are allowed in the court room. Your cell phone must be turned off.

Not Guilty

If you decide to plead not guilty, you may have the option of having a non-jury bench trial in Municipal Court or you may have your case transferred to State Court. You will be advised of these rights at your first appearance. If you plead not guilty and request a non-jury bench trial in Municipal Court your case will be scheduled for a later court date. If you desire a jury trial you will need to complete a Request for Jury Trial Form.

Guilty Plea

If you plead Guilty, you will be waving any rights to:

Failure to Appear

If you have not paid your citation(s) prior to your court date, then you must appear in court. If you fail to appear on your assigned court date a bench warrant will be issued for your arrest and/or your driver’s license or privilege to obtain a driver’s license will be subject to suspension by the Georgia Department of Driver’s Services. A failure to appear will also result in additional fees being added to the citation(s). If you are stopped by any law enforcement official you will be arrested and taken to jail.

It is very important…

You must appear in court on your scheduled court date. However, if you have an emergency that prevents you from attending your court date you should notify the court immediately. When appropriate, requests for continuances should be made in writing, along with any supporting documentation.

Human Trafficking Notice

Are you or someone you know being sold for sex or made/forced to work for little or no pay, and cannot leave?

Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or the Statewide Georgia Hotline for Human Trafficking at 1-866-ENDHTGA (1-866-363-4842) for help.

All victims of slavery and human trafficking have rights and are protected by international, federal, and state law. The hotline is:

  • Anonymous and confidential
  • Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
  • Able to provide help, referral to services, training, and general information
  • Accessible in 170 languages
  • Operated by a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization
  • Toll free

¿Usted o alguien a quien conoce está siendo vendidopor sexo u obligado/forzado a trabajar por poca oninguna paga y no puede escapar?

Llame al Centro Nacional de Recursos Contra el Tráfico de Personas (National Human Trafficking Resource Center) al 1-888-373-7888, o a la Línea de Asistencia Telefónica Contra el Tráfico de Personas de Georgia (Georgia Hotline for Human Trafficking) al 1-866-ENDHTGA (1-866-363-4842) para obtener ayuda.

Todas las víctimas de la esclavitud y el tráfico de personas tienen derechos y están protegidas por las leyes internacionales, federales y estatales. La línea de asistencia telefónica:

  • Es anónima y confidencial
  • Está disponible las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana
  • Puede ofrecer asistencia, recomendación de servicios, capacitación e información general
  • Es accesible en 170 idiomas
  • Es operada por una organización no gubernamental, sin fines de lucro
  • Es un número de llamada gratuita

Inclement Weather Notice

The City of Cornelia will be closed on Friday, January 10, 2025, due to inclement weather.

Public Safety emergency, call 911.
Public Safety non-emergency call (706) 778-3911.

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