Probate court judges are a type of judge in Georgia who decides a type of civil court cases called a "probate" case. Probate cases can be many things, like cases about people's wills, appointing guardians to children or the elderly, and managing estates. Probate court judges also sometimes decide whether to give out marriage licenses and gun licenses, and they can also decide traffic cases. 

Decides court cases for topics like wills, licenses, and traffic tickets

Richmond

Georgia

2024 Georgia General Elections

2024 GA Primary Election

2024 GA Primary Election Runoff

Judicial Efficiency

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Probate Court Judge

The County Sheriff is an elected official who acts as the chief law enforcement officer in their county. They are tasked with operating the county jails, keeping courtrooms secure during trials, and keeping the public safe through proper law enforcement. Each Sheriff's Office in Georgia may look a little different in how they hire and run their teams, but all County Sheriffs have the same duties. These duties include the following:

- Operating the county jail
- Providing court security
- Serving civil papers
- Executing arrest warrants
- Providing primary law enforcement within unincorporated areas of the county
- Working with city law enforcement officers to keep municipalities safe

The County Sheriff and their office are unique to other law enforcement agencies in that it has to answer to the people it serves. Historically, a turnover in the Sheriff’s office will likely result in noticeable change within the office, so voting for this office is a very effective way to vote approval or disapproval for how county law enforcement is conducted.

The chief law enforcement officer in the county

Public Safety

Jail Management

Criminal Justice

County Sheriff

- The Solicitor General oversees the prosecution of any misdemeanors or minor infractions to Georgia statutes or local laws. Misdemeanors might include driving under the influence, disorderly conduct, or low-level theft. 
- Solicitor Generals have discretion over whether to press charges, whether to seek jail time, or whether to send individuals to a pre-trial diversion program. They also have the power to negotiate plea deals with defendants. 
- In addition to prosecuting cases, the Solicitor General provides advice and counseling to victims of crime.
- Solicitor Generals are elected in county elections to four year terms.

The chief lawyer representing your county in misdemeanor cases

Victim Assistance

Solicitor General

- Magistrate Courts hear civil cases only in amounts less than $15,000. There are no jury trials in Magistrate Court. 
- Magistrate Courts hear landlord tenant dispossessory cases (i.e. a case where a landlord is seeking an eviction of their tenant) and can order evictions. 
- The Chief Magistrate can determine procedures for managing the cases in front of the Magistrate. For example, in Fulton County the Chief Magistrate informs parties in landlord tenant dispossessory cases on the benefits of mediation and provides on-site mediators to resolve landlord tenant disputes before the parties appear in front of the judge. 
- Magistrate Courts only have jurisdiction over their respective counties. Each county has its own magistrate court. Magistrate Court Judge term lengths vary per county, however most serve four year terms. Local Superior Court Judges set parameters for Magistrate Courts. 

Local Judges who hear low-value civil cases and eviction cases

Housing & Urban Development

Chief Magistrate

- Despite their name, State Courts in Georgia have limited jurisdiction within their county. State Court Judges also have limited jurisdiction over the types of cases they hear, as opposed to Superior Court. 
- State Court Judges hear misdemeanors, like traffic tickets. They also issue arrest and search warrants and hold preliminary hearings in some criminal cases. 
- State Court Judges hear most civil matters that aren't related to land titles, divorce, or cases involving non-monetary damages (those matters are handled by the Superior Court).
- State Court Judges are elected in non-partisan county wide elections and serve four year terms. The Governor can appoint State Court Judges when vacancies arise. 


Local Judges who hear misdemeanors and some civil cases

Consumer Protection

Judicial Philosophy

State Court Judge

Tax Commissioners are elected at the county level, and their job is to oversee most phases of the taxing process. These responsibilities include billing, collecting, processing, and distributing taxes. They are generally in charge of property taxes, solid waste fees, public utilities, and renewing your vehicle tag. Notably, the Tax Commissioner does not determine how much taxes you pay. Because taxes are a source of revenue for counties, the tax commissioners’ work is ultimately beneficial to individual cities, education, transportation, and other local services. In addition to administering tax laws, the department is responsible for enforcing laws and  regulations pertaining to the control of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in Georgia as well as motor vehicle license plate and title administration.

Oversees the taxing process in the county

Administration

Tax Commissioner

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property and sales taxes, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms in staggered years. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

2024 Georgia candidates

Richmond Probate Court Judge, Democratic Primary

1 candidate

Richmond County Sheriff, Democratic Primary

3 candidates

Richmond Solicitor General, Democratic Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Richmond Chief Magistrate, Democratic Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Richmond State Court Judge

2 candidates

How this impacts you

Richmond Tax Commissioner, Democratic Primary

1 candidate

Richmond County Commissioner, District 9

2 candidates

How this impacts you

Richmond County Commissioner, District 7

2 candidates

How this impacts you

Richmond County Commissioner, District 1

5 candidates

How this impacts you

Richmond County Commissioner, District 3

2 candidates

How this impacts you