The Acworth Municipal Court is a court of limited jurisdiction. Located at 4408 Acworth Industrial Drive, Acworth, GA 30101 this court primarily handles misdemeanor traffic offenses, shoplifting, and marijuana offenses. Felony offenses are not handled in municipal courts. Most cases which involve violation of state law incur a maximum punishment of $1000.00 and/or 12 months incarceration. If you are being prosecuted pursuant to a violation of a municipal ordinance, typically the maximum punishment will be a $600.00 fine and/or 6 months incarceration.
The Chief Judge of the Acworth Municipal Court is Judge Phillip Taylor. His Associate Judges are H. Luke Mayes and Charles Chesbro. All of the judges are part time, holding permanent positons as private attorneys or in some other capacity. The Solicitor or Prosecutor for the City of Acworth is Randal Bentley who is also a part time employee. Court is held one day a week on Tuesday afternoons from 1:30 pm until 5:30 pm.
Misty Day is the Clerk for the Acworth Municipal Court. The Clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am until 5:00pm. Most fines can be paid online. To find out your fine amount and whether or not your citation requires a court appearance, you can call (770) 974-0965. More serious misdemeanor offenses such as DUI, Possession of Marijuana, Hit and Run, No Insurance, Reckless Driving, Minor in Possession of Alcohol, Passing a School Bus, Racing, and Suspended License require a mandatory court appearance. If you are charged with one of these offenses, you should first seek the advice of an attorney as charges such as these may result in jail time, probation, and loss of your driver’s license. If court date is approaching and you have not yet obtained an attorney, you may continue your case one time in order to procure an attorney by calling the clerk’s office at the number above.
The Acworth Police Department consists of over 60 sworn and un-sworn personnel. Wayne Dennard is the Chief of the Acworth Police Department. The City of Acworth also has its own jail which houses inmates charged with minor offenses. The jail is overseen by Lt. Kenneth King. The average population of the jail is 24 inmates with a maximum capacity of 41 inmates. In 2014 the Acworth Police Department issued 6081 citations, 4904 warnings, handled 883 accident reports, and 93 accidents with injuries. In 2014 a program of targeted traffic enforcement was implemented to patrol in enforce traffic laws.
If you are charged with a traffic offense, a misdemeanor or a violation of a municipal ordinance please call 770-771-5097 and ask to speak to one of the attorneys at Smith, Schnatmeier, Dettmering, & Kilgo, LLP for assistance with your case. We are frequent advocates in the Acworth Municipal Court and we are more than willing to speak with you in order to discuss your case and explain your legal options.