Magistrate Court

Douglas Kenneth Gaskins is currently the chief magistrate for Berrien County, Georgia.

2026 Georgia Primary Election

Democrat

Nonpartisan

Republican

2026 Georgia Primary Runoff

As a chief magistrate, assigns cases to lower magistrates, determines the court’s schedule, and appoints magistrates to be confirmed by the superior court.

- As a chief magistrate, assigns cases to lower magistrates, determines the court’s schedule, and appoints magistrates to be confirmed by the superior court.

Legal Experience

As of March 11, 2026, Douglas Kenneth Gaskins did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

Judicial Administration

Community Involvement

Douglas Kenneth Gaskins

Milan Parker

Walter Ley

- 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