Dunwoody Municipal Court is nestled in an easily accessible office complex very close to the Perimeter Mall. Although it is quite convenient to get to, it is a good idea to arrive early, as parking can be limited on days with a busy court calendar.

The Court entrance is directly across the hall from the Police Department. When you first enter, one of their amazingly patient and charming bailiffs will direct you to the Clerk’s window and ask that you sign in.

Once the Clerk has checked you in, you will be ushered through the security screening and into the courtroom. You will be asked to turn your mobile devices off and/or return them to your car. If your phone goes off in court the Judge will have the option of confiscating it.

Dunwoody has more than one judge so if you have to go back to court on multiple occasions you may not be in front of the same judge. That is true of the Dunwoody prosecutors as well. Typically there will be two prosecutors at any given calendar. On the days there is only one however, you can expect that there may be some unavoidable delays.

Normally the prosecutor will take time to speak with anyone who wishes to have a pre-trial discussion with them about their case. This may be the first opportunity you have to find out how the prosecution would like to resolve your case. Although they do their best to move through these conversations quickly, it can still take quite a long time to be reached.

Lawyers will often be called first. This is a professional courtesy extended to attorneys since they are frequently scheduled to be in more than one court at the same time. The court staff understand that other judges around town are waiting for those attorneys to appear in neighboring courts. As a result, it is a normal practice to allow attorneys to speak with the prosecutor and appear in front of the Judge before other people who are representing themselves.

If you are attending court on a “document case” – or rather, a case where you simply have to show your insurance or license was indeed valid on the day in question – make sure you bring your original paperwork! Not all prosecutors or judges will accept electronic copies as proof of compliance.

You will be given the option to plead guilty or not guilty. If you are charged with a traffic offense under State law, you have the right to a jury trial. The bailiffs will give you paperwork discussing this right. Read the paperwork carefully. If you plead not guilty, you will have to designate which kind of trial you are requesting. If you indicate you are requesting a bench trial, then you will also be waiving your right to a jury trial when you sign the paperwork. Once you waive your right to a jury trial you no longer have the right to transfer your case over to DeKalb County. Sometimes this is exactly the right decision. And other times, it may not be.

Talk to a lawyer today to find out what options you have before going to court!

Brookhaven Municipal Court is a somewhat new municipal court as compared with many other local courts in the metro-Atlanta area. Despite its relatively short tenure, Brookhaven has established an impressive reputation for running an efficient and fair municipal court.

Brookhaven has joined the ranks of many other courts and now, depending on what you are charged with, you may be able to pay your ticket online. This may not always be the best option if you are looking to avoid the consequences of a guilty plea, such as points or the citation being reported to your driver’s history.

For most individuals who do attend court, it is one of the only times he or she will interact directly with the judicial system. Not all municipal courts are sensitive to the fact that most people are wrought with anxiety and fear as they enter court for the first time. The Brookhaven Municipal Court goes out of its way to make attending court as painless as possible.

When you first enter, one of their very courteous and friendly court officers will direct you to the courtroom entrance. Once everyone is seated and court has begun, the Judge will call out the names of the people on that day’s docket. Be sure that when your name is called you stand and make yourself visible to the Judge. Pay attention to the Judge’s instructions and do not leave court until the conclusion of your case to avoid a bench warrant and/or FTA license suspension.

You should expect somewhat lengthy unavoidable delays. Many people who come to court request the opportunity to discuss his or her case with the prosecutor. The prosecutor will normally speak with everyone, but this can only happen one at a time.

Just like the court staff, the prosecutors that work in Brookhaven Municipal Court treat everyone with respect, and listen to each individual’s concerns. However these conversations take time, and on days with large dockets, you may have to wait more than an hour or two before you get a chance to discuss your case.

The amount of time you will spend in court may depend upon how many other people are also waiting to speak with the prosecutor.

If you think court will take a while and you have a scheduling conflict, you should consider addressing the Judge directly to see if you can reschedule your court date to a more convenient day. If you know you have a scheduling conflict in advance of court, you may be able to request a new court date in person at the Clerk’s office.

Plan ahead and come to court prepared! Being prepared means making sure you have a complete understanding of what you have been charged with and what possible consequences a conviction could have. Whether you have been charged with a DUI or a basic traffic offense, there are often significant collateral consequences with respect to your license, your criminal history and your driving record.

You should consider speaking with an attorney before going to court. Depending on the charge you may not need to hire a lawyer, but you should know all your options ahead of time.