Preparing for Your Court Appearance

Guidelines

We ask that you follow the guidelines below for a safe, effective and efficient experience:

• If you are a non-English speaker and require the services of an interpreter, please email the court at municipalcourts@sandyspringsga.gov prior to the date and time noted on the enclosed reschedule notice to allow court personnel time to reschedule you for an interpreter court date.
• The court asks that defendants under the age of 21 bring only one (1) parent or guardian to attend the court hearing with them, although not required by law.
• Court times have been staggered in an effort to continue social distancing guidelines. Therefore, you must be checked in at the security check point at or before your court time. Court security will not allow a defendant in the courtroom before his/her scheduled court time. 

What to expect at the Security Check Point:

• Please bring your rescheduled notice with you to court.
• The use of your own personal mask is highly encouraged.

What to expect if you fail to appear in Court:

• Failure to appear in court or pay your citation prior to court may result in a warrant being issued and your driver’s license submitted for suspension by the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
• Most citations can be paid online at www.sandyspringsga.gov or via the automated phone system by calling 770-206-2075.
• In the event you are sick or do not feel comfortable appearing in court, please contact us at municipalcourts@sandyspringsga.gov and we can discuss other possible options.

If you are reporting to Probation, they can be contacted at the following:

Probation Main Office:  678.443.9740

Location: 7840 Roswell Road, Suite 510, Sandy Springs, GA 30350

Locating the Court

The Sandy Springs Municipal Court is located in Suite 501 of the Morgan Falls Business Park at 7840 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30350. When you arrive at the office complex, follow signs to the Court. Please be on time for your scheduled court date, as the judge will provide valuable information at the opening of the court session.

 Informational Video
The following information video will be played at the begin of your court session. You arrived at your court appearance already informed by watching the video in advance.

Court Rules

• If a defendant is dressed inappropriately their case may be rescheduled for another court date.
• Food or Drink is not allowed in the courtroom by anyone.
• All containers and bags are subject to search. 
• All cell phones must be kept on silent.

Required Court Appearances
The following "must appear" offenses require an appearance in court:

• Aggressive Driving
• All City Nuisance Offenses
• All Alcohol Offenses (except open container)
• All Codes Enforcement/Environmental Compliance Violations
• All Defendants Under the Age of 21
• All Drug Offenses
• Any Charge that May Result in Jail Time/License Suspension
• Attempt to Elude an Officer
• Hit and Run
• Habitual Violator Offenses
• No Insurance
• Passing a Loading/Unloading School Bus
• Possession of a Concealed Weapon
• Racing
• Reckless Driving
• Shoplifting
• Speeding 30 mph or Greater over the Speed Limit
• Suspended License
• Suspended Registration
• Vehicular Homicide/Serious Injury

Foreign Language Interpreters 
Spanish interpreters are provided for all court sessions. If you require translation for any other language, please inform the clerk’s office prior to the court date by calling (770) 206-2075.

Accident Reports
If you would like a copy of your accident reports, contact the Sandy Springs Police Department.

Attorneys
It is not necessary to hire an attorney to represent you; however, you may hire an attorney to represent your case and have them file an entry of appearance with the court. If you are unable to afford an attorney and would like one, you may be interviewed by the Judge during your arraignment (initial court appearance) to see if you qualify under federal guidelines to have an attorney appointed to represent your case.

Policy Notes

• Walk-ins are not allowed unless the person has a Failure to Appear (FTA) or a Bench Warrant (BW). 
• Attorney cases will not be pulled, unless they are scheduled on the court calendar for that day.