Situated in southeast Georgia, Ware County was established in 1824. According to the U.S. 2020 census, the county has a land area of 899.24 square miles and an estimated population of 36,251. The City of Waycross is its county seat and the only incorporated city.

Courts in Ware County

The highest trial court in Ware County is the Ware County Superior Court. It presides over felonies and misdemeanors and also hears cases relating to domestic relations, equity, disputes involving title to land, and other civil matters. Furthermore, there is a Family Court division in the Superior Court that handles divorce, domestic violence, paternity, child support, and child abuse.

Ware County has a State Court that deals with lesser criminal offenses, such as misdemeanors and traffic offenses. This Court also handles civil actions not reserved exclusively for the Superior Court.

Residents of Ware County are also served with a Juvenile Court, a Probate Court, a Magistrate Court, and Municipal Courts. The Juvenile Court specializes in cases involving juvenile traffic offenses, juvenile delinquency, and mental health cases.

The Probate Court exclusively hears cases on wills, administration of estates, guardianships, conservatorships of minors, and other probate matters.

Ware County Magistrate Court exercises jurisdiction over minor criminal cases, including preliminary hearings and county ordinance violations. Civil cases typically handled by the Magistrate Court include landlord-tenant disputes and general civil claims with a value of up to $15,000

The Municipal Court in Ware County is located in Waycross. Matters within the court’s jurisdiction include traffic offenses, municipal ordinance violations, and preliminary hearings. The court also handles misdemeanor offenses such as possession of marijuana and shoplifting.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Ware County

Each court in Ware County has a Clerk who serves as the official custodian of all documents filed with the court. Anyone interested in searching for court records in Ware County can do so online or offline. Digital records of the Superior Court and State Court are available via the PeachCourt website. Interested persons may also access Superior court records on re:SearchGA by registering with an email address and password. Other courts, such as the Juvenile Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Court, and Municipal Court, have their records available for public access at the courthouse.

Types of Public Court Records in Ware County

There are different types of court records accessible to members of the public in Ware County. These records detail court proceedings and are generally available for public viewing unless sealed by court orders. Examples of such records include:

• Orders of court
• Judgments
• Minutes entries
• Pleadings
• Case index
• Transcripts of proceedings

Confidential Court Records in Ware County

Court records in Ware County are generally open to the public. However, some court records are restricted by law or court order to protect personal or sensitive information. Examples of these kinds of confidential records in Ware County include:

• Cases involving minors
• Adoption records
• Grand jury proceedings
• Domestic violence cases
• Mental health records
• Drug and alcohol treatment records.

Juvenile Delinquency in Ware, GA

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

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

Government of Ware County, GA

https://georgia.gov/

County Seat:	Waycross
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Home Rule
Year Organized:	1824
Total Square Miles:	908
2019 Population:	35,871
Persons/Square Mile:	0.03
County Contact:	PO BOX 1069 County Courthouse Waycross , GA 31502-1069 http://www.warecounty.com

Ware County, GA Courts