Municipal Court - Frequently Asked Questions

Traffic Citations and Court Information

I received a citation or ticket from a Sandy Springs police officer. What should I do next?

Your court date, also called an arraignment date, is listed at the bottom of the front page of your citation.

By that date, you must either:

Appear in court, or
Pay your fine if the offense is eligible for payment without appearance

Citations are typically processed and available for payment within 5–10 calendar days after the violation date.

If paying online or by phone, a 5% + $5.00 surcharge applies. Credit or debit card payments made in person include a 5% surcharge.

How do I pay my fine?

You may pay your citation:

Online by credit or debit card
In person at Municipal Court Services

Citations are generally available for payment within 7–10 calendar days after the violation.

Accepted in-person payment methods include:

Visa
Mastercard
Discover
American Express
Cash
Money order
Cashier’s check

Can I pay my ticket before the court date and avoid going to court?

If your citation is not classified as a must appear offense, you may pay the fine before your court date instead of appearing in court.

Paying the fine is considered a guilty plea and will be recorded by the court. Traffic-related offenses may also be reported to the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

Online payments must be submitted at least 24 hours before your court date. In-person payments must be made by 5:00 p.m. on the court date.

If you neither pay the fine nor appear in court, a Failure to Appear warrant may be issued.

What should I expect during my arraignment?

Visit the Preparing for Your Court Appearance page for information about the arraignment process and courtroom expectations.

How can I change my court date?

If you are unable to appear on your scheduled court date, you may request a continuance.

If approved by the Court, you will receive a new court date. Only one continuance request is permitted per defendant.

Submit a request using the New Court Date Request Form .

What is a “must appear” offense?

Must appear offenses require a defendant to appear before a judge and cannot be resolved through online payment alone.

Examples include:

DUI
Possession of marijuana
Disorderly conduct
Driving with a suspended license
Suspended registration
Aggressive driving
City code violations
No insurance

What if I want to plead not guilty and request a trial?

If you plead not guilty, you may choose either:

A jury trial in Fulton County State Court, or
A bench trial before a judge in Sandy Springs Municipal Court

Your trial will be scheduled for a later date so witnesses, including the issuing officer, may be subpoenaed to testify.

Do I need an attorney?

You are not required to hire an attorney, but you may choose to have one represent you.

If you cannot afford an attorney, the judge may determine during your arraignment whether you qualify for court-appointed representation under federal guidelines.

How do I obtain a copy of my accident or police report?

Accident reports may be requested through the Sandy Springs Police Department.

Phone: 770-551-6900
Address: 620 Morgan Falls Rd., Sandy Springs, GA 30350

How do I request a jury trial?

If you request a jury trial, eligible state misdemeanor charges will be transferred to the Superior Court of Fulton County.

City ordinance violations cannot be transferred and must first be heard in Sandy Springs Municipal Court.

How do I appeal the judge’s decision?

Appeals must be filed through the Superior Court of Fulton County.

Contact the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk’s Office at 404-613-5313 for additional information.

Are interpreters available?

Interpreter services are available for non-English-speaking defendants.

To request translation services before your court date, contact the clerk’s office at 770-206-2075.

How do I pay school zone camera citations?

School zone camera citations may be paid online at secure.speedviolation.com or by phone at 877-204-2053.