Municipal Court of Atlanta

Parking was reasonable. They got you in and out. It’s not perfect. They did have some employees that had no patience, care or concerns for you or your life. But for the most part there were judges did. I am grateful. The building is beautiful, nice and clean. Much better than DeKalb County court system, parking and overall look. The traffic is crazy and the drivers outside are even worst. Fulton county do need to put Presbyterians right of way cross cones in the walk way.

I have to admit, I actually get a truckload of entertainment at the courthouse. The people watching AND people listening is outstanding here. People do some stupid stuff and expect to be acquitted. The examples AND excuses are endless. I would actually put the people watching standard for Atlanta City Court in front of the airport. Entertainment factor is the best.
Most of the judges I’ve had the pleasure of spectating were understanding and fair but also witty. That really helps to relieve the tension in the during the session.
The cashiers are a little moody but show me a municipal or any gov’t cashier that isn’t.
The facility is nice. Step above DeKalb and the Fulton Courthouse in my opinion.
God Bless America and our justice system!

IDk how to even review court. Thankfully its not something I do often. I had lots of questions and confusion around the Pre-​Trial Intervention Program, so that’s why i wanted to review. I ended up here because I forgot to pay my car registration, duh! APD pulled me over to let me know and give me a ticket to a nice tour of the court rooms. It is a nice facility. Wonderful people watching. Don’t wear a hat or a scarf or doo-​rag unless for religious purposes. Just do what they say, cause they will make your day much more full of hassle if you don’t. But… you will provide entertainment for those of us bored to tears, sitting silently doing what they ask. I’ve never in my life seen people so adamant about wearing hats or needed to use their cell phones. I especially loved the ones that were there for texting and driving, still sitting there hiding that they were texting. Phone use is okay in some rooms and not others, just do what they say, and it will go smoothly. Listen and follow instructions. Oh, and bring a pen. It will save you time when you have to fill out the paper work and there are 5 pens shared between 100 people.
If you go this route, plan to spend the day there. You go to 6A, then to another room, and another room, and read this paper, sign that paper, and go back to this room, stand in this line, and then we’ll pull a number out of the air and let you know what to pay. It was a good option that im glad i did because my fine was cheaper and no points. I think i spent about 4 hours there. The whole time wishing I had a good book to read. Like i mentioned at various times it is not okay to use your phone and the rules aren’t always clear.

I hate going to traffic court.
I normally go at least four to five times a year, so, you would probably think that I kinda enjoy giving my money to the various municipals around Atlanta.
My biggest pet peeve with most courts these days are that court always starts 15 to 20 minutes late. I hate that. I’m sure the others that arrive on time also don’t like it. I feel like what good is a justice system that allows you to arrive fashionably late without some type of penalty?
Its been a while since I’ve had to go to MCoA.
Recently, a cop pulled me over, and told me that my license was expired, even though the although the license shows an expiration date of 2016, he still wrote me a ticket. I got a print out from the state that shows that it expires in 2016 and tried to handle this before court, but all citations issued regarding expired or suspended license must appear in court to be dismissed.
I was surprised to see a flat screen TV hooked up to the wall, and even more surprised when I found out it was a closed circuit to the jail.
At first, I couldn’t understand why the people that were already in custody at the jail were allowed to go before the judge, before those of us that were sitting in the courtroom. I mean really, do they have somewhere to be? I do. I took the morning off work to go to court, so I’d loved to be on my way back to work. Even if those people are released, if you ever been to jail, you know that can be an all day process either way, so get us live bodies out the way would have been my choice.
But as usual, no one asked me, so I shifted in my seat and enjoyed the show. Everything from domestic violence, public drunkenness, public nuisance, fighting in public and shoplifting came before us.
I think the funniest of all, was one guy that was up for public drunkenness, was given the option of three days in jail or pay a $ 1500 fine. He ups and tells the judge, ain’t nobody got time for that. I think everyone in the court started giggling. Including the judge. Personally, I thought he meant that no one had time to do 3 days in jail, but it was the opposite. He meant, ain’t nobody got time to pay $ 1500 for a fine, and proceed to tell the judge he would do the three days. My lawd.
Finally after about 45 minutes, they started the court calender and thankfully, I was first up. There is a God over us habitual traffic violators. After speaking with the solicitor, my case was dismissed.
Overall, it was humorous and a waste of about an hour and a half of my day, but hearing that guy say ain’t nobody got time to that to a judge, sorta made it worth it.
50 of 100

Firstly, the clerks do not want to help or listen. Not sure why I’d ever expect government workers to be helpful, but it does happen sometimes. Not here.
Second, I visited here because I missed my court date for a seat belt ticket. I missed it because the ticket said I could pay over the phone, so I went into work that day and tried calling the number on the ticket multiple times to no avail. It disconnected me every time. Their phone line (1−404−658−6940) failed and cost me money, not to mention time.
So I came here today (the first day I had off work) to ask the judges forgiveness for missing the court date because, in my eyes, it was their system that failed. The unfriendly clerk got me a date with the judge, so I guess she technically did her job.
I spent at least 2 hours at the court only for the clerk to tell me «unless you can prove you were in the hospital, the judge doesn’t forgive missed court dates.» So a $ 15 ticket turned into a $ 115 fine and now I have to visit the DMV (everyone’s favorite way to spend a morning) to un-​suspend my license.
The only reason I gave 2 start is because the security men at the front and the compliance officers downstairs were polite and even funny.
Maybe it’s because I was raised differently, but why can’t southern hospitality exist in government-​run offices? And, why can’t my concern be voiced in front of a judge? Not everything is black and white, Atlanta, there are grey areas and citizens trying to do the right thing.
And while I’m at it, Park Atlanta is absurd, too. Running meters till 11 p.m., $ 35 parking tickets and fudging time stamps to write more tickets? This does not make me feel good about my new-​found Atlanta residence.

I just love court. Seriously. I really mean that. I actually DVR «Judge Judy» every day. Do I sound crazy? My mother says I should have been an attorney. She likes to remind me that it’s not too late, but I digress…
As far as courts go, this one is pretty nice. It’s relatively new and well laid out. The only issue I have is with the payment process. There aren’t enough employees and the area on the main level can get kind of congested without reason. Once you get through it all it’s pretty quick.
Parking tickets can be paid outside and without having to go through the metal detectors.
No joke, I’ve been known to come here just to listen to cases. It’s interesting if you like that sort of thing. The boring court cases are usually in the afternoon. Morning court cases are the traffic tickets, accidents, and DUIs. Now that’s entertainment.