If you are suing a person, you must file the case in the County where they live. If the defendant lives in Gordon County, you can file the case in this County. If the defendant is a corporation, the claim must be filed in the county of the registered agent for the company. In order to find the registered agent for service of process, contact the contact the Corporations Division of the Secretary of State either online or at 404-656-2817. If you are suing an unincorporated business, you must file the case where the business is physically located. If the business is in Gordon County, you can file here. Plaintiff has to also pay a filing fee which is submitted with the initial paperwork. A portion of the filing fee is for the cost for the court clerk to serve one defendant. The actual filing fee varies amongst counties but is usually between $45 and $55. If an additional defendant is named in the action, there will be an extra charge for the court to serve the additional party. The extra charge could is usually between $25-$35 (to serve the added party). The Gordon County Clerk for the Magistrate Court can help you complete the necessary forms but CANNOT give legal advice. For example, a clerk could review your forms to make sure there is a signature where it is required but cannot tell you who you should name as a defendant. The clerk will also not be able to tell you whether he or she believes you will win your case.
How can I file a claim?
The case begins with the plaintiff filing a sworn statement with the magistrate court clerk in the proper county. The sworn statement simply spells out the claims made against the defenant and includes the facts on which the claim is based. The sworn statement should usually include the following:
Name, address, and telephone number of the plaintiff (and attorney if the plaintiff has one)
Name and strees address of the defendant
The amount of money the plaintiff is requesting
Brief, succint statement detailing why the defendant is being sued (include dates of all relevant events)
Copies of all documents relevant to the claims (Keep the originals for your hearing)
Preparing for the Hearing
The following steps are recommended to prepare for the hearing:
Ensure you have all copies of any documents you need for the case. You should make at least two additional sets of copies (one for the court and one for the other party).
Communicate with any witnesses you intend to call to prove your case. Confirm they are available on the day of the hearing.
If a witness will not agree to appear, you need to subpoena them.
If in preparing your documents you find that you need additional documents, you can subpoena documents from other parties as well.
A subpoena is a command from the court for a person or documents to appear at a certain time and date to give testimony or produce evidence. You can obtain a subpoena from the Gordon County Clerk for the Magistrate Court.
How Much Time Does a Defendant Have to Answer?
After the case is filed the court clerk serves the defendant with a copy of the claim along with a summons. The defendant has 30 days to respond or answer the claim.
Hearing Date for my Small Claims Case
The court will select a hearing date after the defendant files an answer to the claim. The date for the hearing is generally 15 to 30 days after the defendant files his or her answer.
Types of Cases Filed in Gordon County Small Claims Court
Here are examples of cases that are often found in small claims court:
Tenant does not and will not pay for damages caused to rental which are in excess of security deposit
Renter fails to pay rent or Owner seeks to evict renter
Landlord fails to return the security deposit to the tenant
A merchant refuses to repair, replace, or refund faulty merchandise
Borrower refuses to pay back money which was loaned
A dry cleaner will not pay for clothing which was damaged or lost
Automobile shop conducts unnecessary repairs or work on your car
Can the Defendant sue the Plaintiff?
The defendant is able to issue a claim against the plaintiff. This is called a counterclaim. The defendant can file this against the plaintiff’s original claim if it is related to the initial claim and the amount asked for by the defendant is les than $15,000. The counterclaim of the defendant is generally heard by the magistrate court at the same time as the plaintiff’s initial claim.
Can I hire an attorney for my Gordon County Small Claims Court case?
In County cases, you may hire an attorney to represent you but are not required to do so. You can file the case on your own (without retaining an attorney). All cases are tried and heard before a judge, without a jury. You should remember that the procedures and rules for small claims court cases are designed so that a party should not need to have to retain an expensive attorney in order for their case to be effectively presented. Mediation is a tool that is sometimes used to help resolve a case without a trial. Some counties offer this as a service, and some counties require a case be sent to mediation prior to it being heard at a trial.
What are the hearing procedures?
In some counties, the court requires both parties to attempt to resolve the case through mediation before the court will hear the case (if the mediation is unsuccessful). Mediation is an attempt to try and settle the case without a hearing. Even if mediation is successful, a plaintiff can still seek to recover court costs. If the parties cannot agree to settle the case, the the court will hear arguments presented by the plaintiff and the defendant. The court takes in evidence and provides for all parties for an opportunity to present their case. When both (or all parties) are done presenting evidence, the judge will issue a decision. The court may award damages to the plaintiff, defendant, both, or none of the parties depending on what the facts of the case warrant. The court has several options if the plaintiff does not appear at the hearing:
Allow the defendant to present evidence and render a decision without hearing from plaintiff
The court can continue the case to a later date
dismiss the case.
If the defendant fails to appear at the hearing, the court may grant a default judgment against the defendant. The lesson to be learned is make sure you attent the hearing regardless of whether you are the plaintiff or the defendant. Gordon County Small Claims CourtSmall Claims courts are also called Magistrate Courts in Gordon County. If a dispute arises between parties that cannot be resolved, a party can file the matter in magistrate court. The magistrate or small claims court was designed so that disputes under a certain amount ($15,000) could be handled informally. They are designed to quickly and inexpensively settle the dispute.
Default Judgments
When a defendant fails to appear at the hearing or respond to the claim, the court can grant a default judgment. If a default judgment is entered, the plaintiff is awarded the amount that was requested in the claim along with court costs. If the plaintiff is asking for non-monetary damages (like property), the court has to conduct a separate hearing to determine the dollar amount of the damages. The defendant has only thirty days to respond to the claim. Once this time period passes, the defendant is in “default.”
Locations for Gordon County Small Claims Court
The magistrate court for Gordon County is located at:
P.O. Box 1025
Calhoun, GA 30701
The magistrate judge is Chief Magistrate Ricky L. Silvers. The telephone number for the court is: 706-629-6818. The fax number is 706-602-1751.
How do I appeal a judgment?
If you are not happy with the court’s decision (and generally at least one party, sometimes both, are not satisfied with the judgment), the party may file an appeal (or ask a higher court to review the judgment). The appeal will be heard in the state or superior court of Gordon County. On the appeal, either party may request a jury trial (something you cannot have at the magistrate court level). Appeals must be filed within 30 days of the judge’s decision.
1 thought on “Gordon County Small Claims Court”
Is there a time limit between when the act occurs and when the case is filed?Thanks.
Is there a time limit between when the act occurs and when the case is filed?Thanks.