Location + Parking
185 Central Avenue, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
This is one of the busiest and most congested courthouses in the state. Unfortunately, there is no good news on the parking front. Finding a spot without being late for court is almost always expensive and tricky.
While it is true that there are a few choice street parking spots that courthouse veterans know to be on the lookout for, if this is your first time coming, don’t try to be a hero by sleuthing these spots. Traffic is snarled during rush hour, and it will not be worth the hassle because one of the veterans probably already got there first. Plus, most street parking near the courthouse is either blocked off or reserved for government vehicles.
Most drivers park in the Underground deck (75 Martin Luther King Dr. SW). It fills up quickly, so keep your eyes peeled for the small deck across from the Underground that can come in handy when the larger garage is full.
Court Communications
You can call the Clerk’s office at 404-613-5040. Be prepared to be patient, and don’t kill the messenger! They don’t always have good news to relay. However, they are a great starting point if you are trying to solve a problem in the courts on your own.
You can also visit the Clerk’s online portal to look up your case information, including your formal charges, which courtroom you have been assigned to, and the Clerk’s summary of court proceedings to date.
You can find jail records at the Fulton County Sheriff’s online portal.
FTA Bench Warrants
If you missed your first court date and you are trying to get a bench warrant lifted without the help of an attorney, you may want to contact the Court Clerk’s Office. Each judge has their own procedure for handling FTA cases. Depending on which courtroom you have been assigned, the process may be simpler or more complicated than expected!
File Change of Address
If you have moved or changed your mailing address since the time of the ticket, you will want to be very proactive about updating your address with the Court. Once your case has been docketed, you must file a Change of Address form. It is a simple document with your case information that notifies the Clerk and Prosecutor of your new mailing address. This is an important protection to prevent missing critical court dates and notices.
Nolo Pleas
The court expects you to make several important decisions within moments of entering the courtroom. So it’s wise to do your due diligence before you arrive for your arraignment.
One choice you will have to make is determining what kind of plea is right for you. Many drivers go to court focused on avoiding a guilty plea. But once they arrive, they learn about the possibility of pleading “nolo,” or “no contest.” In these situations, the driver is not accepting or denying responsibility but agrees to accept the punishment.
This plea option often sounds like a great compromise because it can keep points off your driving record – and drivers believe it will keep their insurance rates down. Unfortunately, this plea does not offer protection from insurance rate hikes. A nolo conviction is still on your driving record and visible to insurance companies.
Plus, drivers can only use a nolo plea once every five years, and nolo can be valuable in limited situations. A nolo plea can be valuable under the right circumstances, but you should be careful to research whether a nolo plea will provide the relief you need in your case.
How the EHG Legal Team Can Help
- We guarantee damage control – we have full confidence in our ability to improve the outcome of your traffic case. We will not keep a fee when we are not able to help.
- We cover court appearances – we understand that appearing in court can be a hassle. We handle most, if not all, court dates on your behalf, ensuring that you don’t have to be there.
- We investigate license reinstatement – if you need to get your license reinstated, we can help you determine the next steps.
- We offer support and resources – our team works closely with you to ensure you have a seamless experience throughout the process. We provide assistance 24/7 and make sure you have all the information you need to get things done as quickly and painlessly as possible.