Click Clayton
Chief Magistrate Court Judge:
Keisha Wright Hill
Harold R. Banke Justice Center
9151 Tara Boulevard
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Phone:
(770) 477-3444
Fax:
(770) 473-5750
For information regarding your case, please contact the Clerk’s Office at
(770) 477-3443
Hours:
Monday-Friday
8am-5pm
Excluding Holidays
Small Claims
What is a Small Claim?
An action against a person or business where the amount in controversy is less than $15,000.
Filing Procedures
*If no order has been entered on the case in the past five (5) years the case is subject to administrative dismissal.*
Who Can You File a Claim Against?
Persons and corporations.
- If Defendant is a person, the claim must be filed in the county where the individual lives.
- If Defendant is a corporation, the claim must be filed in the county where the registered agent has designated as its office. Contact the Corporations Division of the Secretary of State at 404-656-2817 to find out whether a business is a corporation and, if so, the name and address of its registered agent. You may wish to also search on the website of the Secretary of State at https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/BusinessSearch. If the defendant is an unincorporated business, the claim must be filed in the county where the business is physically located. When suing a business that operates as a partnership, the suit may be filed in the county which at least one of the business owners resides.
How Do I File a Claim?
Plaintiff must file a statement of claim, or a claim, with the Clerk of Magistrate Court, describing the charges made against the defendant. The statement of claim should include the following:
- The complete name, address and phone number of the plaintiff (and if the plaintiff is represented by counsel, the name of the attorney).
- The complete name and street address of the defendant.
- The damages, or the amount of money or property the plaintiff is seeking.
- A brief statement explaining why the defendant is being sued, including the date(s) of the underlying incident(s).
- Copies of any relevant documents, such as contracts, receipts and canceled checks.
You can file your case by filing a Statement of Claim with the Clerk of Magistrate Court. A free multi-page NCR Statement of Claim form is available at the Magistrate Court Clerk’s Office. The Court’s form will suffice in most cases and it makes processing more efficient and ensures that copies are available for service.
If you prefer to use your own document, please make sure to provide enough copies to the clerk for service. You have to provide facts on which your claim is based.
Note: You do not need to provide details of the evidence that you will present at the trial, but you have to provide enough information so that defendants reading it will be able to know what the case against them is about. Please attach copies of supporting documents to the Statement of Claim.