Upson County Magistrate Court

Earlier this month, Chief Magistrate Hannah Arnette attended Magistrate Court Day at the Georgia State Capitol alongside Associate Judge Heather Rush.

It was a valuable opportunity to connect with magistrates from across Georgia and stay informed on matters impacting our courts. Days like this help ensure that the Magistrate Court continues to serve the citizens of Upson County effectively and responsibly.

We are proud to represent Upson County and remain committed to serving our community with fairness and integrity.

ORDER OF CLOSURE

Pursuant to an Order of the Superior Court Chief Judge Ballard, the Justice Center shall be closed beginning Monday, January 26, 2026, as a precaution due to anticipated winter weather that may affect the area.

The Justice Center is expected to reopen on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 12:00 PM.

Online filing remains available and may be accessed at: www.efilegeorgia.com

Everyone is encouraged to remain safe. Should conditions require an extended closure, an additional update will be provided.

Wow — we just closed out our last calendar for the year. As I finish my first year in office, I am truly grateful to the people of Upson County for trusting me with this responsibility. This role comes with long days and hard decisions, but it has been meaningful, rewarding, and an honor to serve. My goal every day is to be fair, consistent, respectful, and to uphold the law in every decision made in the courtroom.

Our office is a team effort. I am thankful for my Associate Judge, our staff, and the cooperation we receive from our law enforcement partners, attorneys, and the public. We take this work seriously, and we are committed to serving this community the right way.

The Upson County Magistrate Court will be closed Wednesday, December 31st, for New Year’s Eve and Thursday, January 1st, for New Year’s Day. We will reopen Friday at 8:00 AM.

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year. Thank you for allowing me to serve, and for the trust you have placed in this court.

-Judge Hannah E. Arnette

Merry Christmas from the Upson County Magistrate Court. We hope everyone enjoys a wonderful holiday spent with loved ones.

Please note that our office will be closed for the remainder of the week and will reopen on Monday at 8:00 a.m. for normal business hours. During this closure, filing will remain available to the public through eFileGA at https://www.efilegeorgia.com.

This past weekend, our office had the pleasure of treating our staff to a lovely Christmas dinner as a small token of appreciation. It was a wonderful evening spent together, recognizing the dedication, professionalism, and hard work our team brings to the Upson County Magistrate Court and to the citizens we serve each day.

As we reflect on the meaning of Christmas, we are reminded of the season’s message of faith, gratitude, and service. Please note that our office will be closed for the remainder of the week. We hope everyone enjoys time with family and friends during this holiday season.

The Upson County Magistrate Court will be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will reopen on Monday at 8:00 a.m.

We are grateful for this community, for the privilege to serve, and for the trust you place in us each day. We wish you and your families a peaceful and meaningful Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving.

— Upson County Magistrate Court

Today, we honor the brave men and women who have served our country with courage and sacrifice. Your dedication and love for our nation will never be forgotten.

From all of us at the Upson County Magistrate Court,
thank you for your service, your strength, and your unwavering example of patriotism. We honor you today and every day. 🇺🇸

Happy Halloween from the Upson County Magistrate Court!

We enjoyed a fun morning here at the Justice Complex dressing up as different Barbies and sharing candy with our local senior citizens. It brought a lot of joy to the building and reminded us how special our community is.

We are always proud to serve Upson County and it is nice to enjoy moments like this together as a team.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween. 🎃 👻

The Magistrate Court of Upson County serves as the foundation of Georgia’s judicial system and handles a wide range of civil and criminal matters every day.

The Magistrate Court of Upson County has jurisdiction over both civil and criminal cases.

Civil matters include cases involving claims of $15,000 or less, often referred to as small claims. The Court also hears evictions, garnishments, and abandoned motor vehicle filings. These matters allow citizens to resolve disputes efficiently without the formality or cost of higher courts.

Criminal matters include the determination of probable cause for all search and arrest warrants issued by law enforcement, first appearance hearings where defendants are advised of their rights and bond may be considered, and preliminary (committal) hearings to determine whether probable cause exists to bind a case over to Superior Court. The Court also handles prewarrant applications filed by private citizens and prosecutes county ordinance violations under the Upson County Code of Ordinances.

The Magistrate Court does not have jurisdiction over divorces, custody or child support cases, or property line disputes.

If you have questions about filing or court procedures, you may contact the Upson County Magistrate Court directly. All civil cases can also be filed online at www.efilegeorgia.com.

**Please see the image below for our current filing fees for all Magistrate Court filings.**

Happy Boss’s Day to all the bosses out there today!

I hope you are as fortunate as I am to have such a wonderful team beside you. These ladies are truly the backbone of the Upson County Magistrate Court, and I could not do what I do without them.

From left to right:
Samantha Smith, Chief Deputy Clerk – As our Chief Deputy Clerk, Samantha plays a vital role in every aspect of our civil and criminal divisions and daily operations. She is my right and left hand in the courtroom and ensures everything runs smoothly from start to finish. Her leadership, experience, and dedication make her an invaluable part of our office.

Jessi Crane, Deputy Clerk – Jessi handles civil filings and case management with great attention to detail and organization. Her reliability, professionalism, and commitment to accuracy keep our civil process on track and our office running efficiently.

Savannah Weber, Deputy Clerk – Savannah is cross-trained in both civil and criminal matters and often assists in the courtroom. She approaches every task with diligence, teamwork, and a strong sense of pride in serving the citizens of Upson County.

Each of these ladies plays an important role in keeping our court operating smoothly and serving our community with professionalism and care.

If you see any of these ladies out in the community or at the courthouse, please be kind. They work hard every day to serve the citizens of Upson County with patience and respect.

I am incredibly proud and thankful for them every single day, but especially today.

— Judge Hannah E. Arnette, Chief Magistrate

📣 MEET OUR JUDGES 📣

The Upson County Magistrate Court is honored to serve the citizens of our community with fairness, integrity, and respect.

Chief Magistrate Judge Hannah E. Arnette – Elected by the citizens of Upson County in 2024, Judge Arnette began her term on January 01, 2025. She leads the Magistrate Court with a strong commitment to accessibility, efficiency, and justice for all. Since taking office, she has focused on strengthening court operations and ensuring that every citizen who comes before the court is treated with dignity and fairness. (Pictured on the right.)

Associate Magistrate Judge Heather Rush – Appointed by Chief Magistrate Judge Arnette, Judge Rush brings professionalism, compassion, and a steadfast dedication to the people of Upson County. She takes pride in serving the community and upholding the principles of fairness and respect in every matter before the court. (Pictured on the left.)

Together, Judges Arnette and Rush are proud to serve Upson County and remain committed to upholding the law with impartiality and respect for every individual.

ALL RISE FOR THE KNIGHTS!

The Upson County Magistrate Court had such a great time being part of the Upson-Lee Homecoming Parade. This year’s theme was Hollywood, and we loved being part of such a fun community tradition.

It’s always special to see our community come together to celebrate and support our school, and it was even better to end the night with a big win. Thank you to everyone who came out and cheered on the Knights. 🏈