What Happens at a Preliminary Hearing in Georgia?

You will first appear at the Recorder's Court, or Municipal Court, or Magistrate Court. At this level of court, you will have your First Appearance and Preliminary Hearing. At a Preliminary Hearing, you have the option to challenge the probable cause in your case. 

At this court level, you may also choose to enter a plea. If our Savannah criminal defense lawyer cannot find a satisfactory result then we will request that the court move your case to either State Court or Superior Court, depending on your charges.

What Does the State Court Do in Georgia?

State Court handles all misdemeanor cases. Following the transfer of your case to this court your case will be reviewed and formally charged by a State Court prosecutor. After your case is accused you will be summoned for an arraignment. 

Then you select a path for your case:

• try to negotiate a plea,
• challenge evidence through a motion to suppress,
• push the case to a trial by judge or a trial by jury

What Does the Georgia Superior Court Do?

Superior Court handles all felony cases, which includes any misdemeanor charges that are part of a felony incident. Following the transfer of your case to this court your case will be reviewed and formally charged by a Superior Court prosecutor, by either an indictment or an accusation. 

After your case is indicted/accused you will be summoned for an arraignment. Then you select a path for your case.

This may include:

• try to negotiate a plea, 
• challenge evidence through a motion to suppress, or 
• push the case to a trial by judge or a trial by jury