Dade County, home to Cloudland Canyon State Park and Lookout Mountain, was founded in 1837. Named in honor of Major Francis Langhorne Dade, who died in the Second Seminole War, It is located in northwestern Georgia and has a population of about 16,000. The county's seat is Trenton.

Courts in Dade County

Dade County courts comprise Superior, Juvenile, Probate, Magistrate, and Municipal Courts. The Dade County Superior Courts adjudicate all civil and criminal cases, including felonies and civil disputes, for higher amounts. The Superior Court has a Family Court Division that presides over divorce, custody disputes, and alimony cases. 

The Juvenile Courts in Dade County have exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving minors. The court presides over juvenile delinquency, termination of parental rights, and cases involving children in need of services (CHINS).

The Probate Court in Dade County is responsible for deceased persons' estates. The court deals with lawsuits relating to validating wills, distribution of assets, and guardianship for minors.

The Magistrate Courts handle minor civil disputes, including small claims cases up to $15,000 and landlord/tenant disputes. The court is responsible for issuing arrest and search warrants, setting bail, and conducting preliminary hearings. The Municipal Courts in Dade County handle violations of city ordinances, including traffic offenses and other minor infractions.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Dade County

Public court records are the documents from legal proceedings open for public viewing and copying. The Dade County Clerk of the Superior Court is the record custodian for public courts and provides online access to public court records. Record seekers may also contact the courthouses to view and obtain copies of court records or mail requests to obtain public court records.

Types of Public Court Records in Dade County

Access to public court records provides Dade County residents with insights into the workings of the judiciary, which helps to build public trust and confidence in the legal system. The following types of court records are publicly available in Dade County:

• Criminal Court Records: Felonies and misdemeanors
• Civil Court Records: Personal injury claims, employment disputes, landlord/tenant disputes, small claims, and defamation records
• Probate Records: Trusts, guardianships, wills, conservatorships, and estates
• Family Court Records: Alimony, divorce, legal separation, child custody, and child support
• Traffic Records: Reckless driving, speeding tickets, red light violations, driving with suspended licenses, and seatbelt violations

Confidential Court Records in Dade County

Confidential court records are legal documents inaccessible to the public in Dade County due to their sensitive nature. Confidential court records are sealed to protect individuals from harm or harassment, comply with state or federal laws, or safeguard information of minors or victims. Confidential court records in Dade County include:

• Juvenile court records
• Adoption records
• Grand jury proceedings
• Substance abuse treatment records
• Trade secrets

 Public court records contain personal data that are not available to the public. Personal identifiers are redacted from public court records to ensure that sensitive personal information is not disclosed to unauthorized persons. Personal identifying removed from public court records include:

• Passport numbers
• Tax identification numbers
• Insurance policy numbers
• Driver’s license numbers
• Social Security numbers

Juvenile Delinquency in Dade, GA

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Dade County, juvenile delinquency crimes are on the rise. There are many reasons for the increase in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Georgia often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of offenses, and other family matters.

A lot of counties, including, Dade County, are focusing on family health and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Dade County juvenile delinquency statistics will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Dade County, GA

https://georgia.gov/

County Seat:	Trenton
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Home Rule
Year Organized:	1837
Total Square Miles:	174
2019 Population:	16,285
Persons/Square Mile:	0.01
County Contact:	PO BOX 613 County Courthouse Trenton , GA 30752-0613 http://www.dadecounty-ga.gov/

Dade County, GA Courts