Frequently Asked Questions

One time continuance is allowed if done by your court date. After that you must have a court approved excuse (doctor, military deployment orders, jail, or death in the family etc.)

DUI’s will need to get approval from Judge.

No. All trials in Recorder’s Court are bench trials in which the officer is subpoenaed. Bench trials are trials in which evidence is presented to a judge, and in which the judge renders a verdict. However, if you desire a jury trial you can send your case to state court as long as it is not a local ordinance.

Yes, most citations can be paid online; however, not all are eligible and may require a mandatory court appearance. You can go to www.savannahga.gov/recorderscourt to pay your traffic fine. See list of mandatory court appearances on question #10.

Yes. The court accepts Visa, MasterCard and debit cards. The court also accepts cash, money orders and certified checks. NO PERSONAL CHECKS.

The assistance of counsel is your right. However, we cannot advise you as to whether or not you will need an attorney. If you are seeking a court appointed attorney, you will need to contact the Public Defender’s Office at (912) 447-4901.

This violation is a mandatory court appearance and proof must be provided to the Judge on the day of Court.

Visit the www.dds.georgia.gov and view the Georgia Points System. See O.C.G.A. 40-5-57 for complete code or you can call the DMV at 678-413-8400

The Recorder’s Court of Chatham County has notified the Georgia Department of Driving Services (DDS) that you failed to appear before the court to answer to the charges alleged by the officer issuing you a citation. As a result, the Georgia Department of Driving Services (DDS) may have suspended your driving privileges.

This suspension will remain active until DDS receives notice from the Court that you have met all sanctions imposed by the Court. If you are licensed by another state, you must satisfy Georgia DDS prior to contacting the licensing authority of your state.

Once you satisfy the sanctions imposed by the Court, you will be given the “FTA 912 Release” (pink receipt) of the suspension notice. If you are licensed by the State of Georgia, you must present this copy to the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety (DDS). You can do this by taking this receipt to your local Driver's License Office. If you are licensed by another state, you must satisfy Georgia DDS prior to contacting the licensing authority of your state.

As a result of this suspension, the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety (DDS) requires that you pay a reinstatement fee before your driving privileges will be reinstated. The Court will notify DDS that you have satisfied all sanctions imposed. However, the reinstatement process will move faster if you take your “Defendant’s Receipt” (FTA 912 Release) to your local Driver's License Office. If you are licensed by another state, you must satisfy Georgia DDS prior to contacting the licensing authority of your state.

If you have any questions regarding your driving privileges you should contact: Savannah Office 1117 Eisenhower Dr. Savannah, GA 31405 (912) 691-7400 Main Office 2206 East View Parkway Conyers, GA 30013-5755 (678) 413-8400

To allow 3 to 4 weeks for your citation to be processed. All citations are subject to a fine. Depending on the agency issuing the citation, the following information may appear on the back of the citation issued to you.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL THE RECORDER’S COURT OF CHATHAM COUNTY (912) 652-7425

Email: recorderscourt@savannahga.gov

IMPORTANT 

If you intend to enter a plea of “not guilty” to the charge(s) against you, contact the Clerk’s Office at the number listed above. You will be assigned a bench trial date different from the date indicated on the front of this citation.

If you wish to waive your right to a hearing and enter a plea of “guilty”, you may pay your fine in-person, online at www.savannahga.gov/recorderscourt or mailing your money order/cashier’s check made payable to Recorder’s Court to the address below.

Be sure to include your citation number on your form of payment. Call the Clerk’s Office or visit the court’s website www.savannahga.gov/recorderscourt to determine the amount of the fine. The Recorder's Court of Chatham County 133 Montgomery Street, Room 101 Savannah, GA 31401

You may pay your fine in-person at the cashier’s window between the hours of 8:15 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday-Friday.

If you wish to appear in court to enter a plea of “guilty” or “no contest” to the charge(s) against you, appear in court on the date and time shown on the front of the citation. If you enter a plea of “not guilty” at this hearing, your case will be assigned to a trial calendar, and you will be asked to return to court on the trial date.

PURSUANT TO GEORGIA CODE 17-6-11, IF YOU HAVE BEEN ISSUED A COURT SUMMONS AND FAIL TO APPEAR TO ANSWER TO THE CHARGE, A WARRANT WILL BE ISSUED FOR YOUR ARREST AND/OR YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE SHALL BE SUSPENDED BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. THE FOLLOWING OFFENSES REQUIRE A MANDATORY COURT APPEARANCE

a. No Insurance (if unable to provide proof prior to court date).

b. Driving under the influence of alcohol/ drugs.

c. No license, driving on a suspended or revoked license.

d. Failure to report an accident.

e. Hit and run or leaving the scene of an accident.

f. Using vehicle in fleeing or attempting to elude an officer.

g. Racing.

h. Reckless driving, aggressive driving or laying drag.

i. Fraudulent or fictitious use of driver’s license or fraudulently obtaining a driver’s license.

j. Homicide or feticide by vehicle.

k. Homicide or serious injury by interfering with a traffic control device or railroad sign/signal.

l. Serious injury by vehicle.

m. Any felony in which a vehicle is used.

n. Suspended registration.

o. Striking an unattended vehicle.

p. Speeding: 35 miles or over or if in a school or work zone 30 miles and over

The Georgia Department of Driving Services (DDS) Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety (DDS) is responsible for the issuance and/or suspension of a person's driving privileges. If you have reason to believe that your license has been suspended, you will need to contact Georgia DDS at (678) 413-8400. DDS2GO APP

You have the right to be represented by an attorney in all criminal proceedings against you. If you are not financially able to employ an attorney of your own choice, you have a right to apply for a court-appointed attorney.

An attorney can help you: 

1. Understand the charge or charges against you
2. Determine whether a legally sufficient accusation has been filed against you
3. Determine whether you have any defense to the charge or charges against you, possible defenses may include but are not limited to self-defense, alibi, misidentification, accident, and reliance on the presumption of innocence and the State’s burden to prove you guilty on all elements of the charge or charges against you beyond a reasonable doubt
4. Prepare and conduct any trial held on the charge or charges against you
5. Determine what evidence is legally admissible against you
6. File motions and make objections to exclude evidence which is not legally admissible against you
7. Determine what evidence you would be able to present in your defense
8. File motions to obtain information from the prosecution, such as police reports, scientific reports, witness statements, video or audiotapes, photographs, etc.
9. Make strategic decisions as to the calling of witnesses and whether or not you should testify at trial
10. Properly preserve legal issues for appeal in the event that you are convicted at trial
11. Conduct plea negotiations on your behalf if you desire to plead guilty to the charge or charges against you
12. Make sure all of your rights as a defendant in a criminal case are protected

No, you cannot make a payment over the phone.

Your court date is located toward the bottom of your ticket. If your citation has TBA, you will be notified via mail at the address on your citation with a subpoena.

Please contact DDS at 678-413-8400 and they will give you the citation number, violation date and the Court that has your license suspended.

No, you must appear in front of a judge and have case adjudicated.

This is at the Judges’ discretion.

Yes; however, all local ordinance charges must remain in Recorder’s Court.

If you had a misdemeanor case that was bonded out before seeing the judge at arraignment you will get a subpoena in the mail to the address that was on the bond. WE MUST HAVE AN ACCURATE ADDRESS FOR THE SUBPOENA.

Depending on the age of the case, it could be from immediate or up to 3 to 5 days.

If it is a mandatory court appearance, you must appear in court or have an attorney represent you. Refer to question #10. Otherwise, you can make your payment online or send it through the mail.