All Mountain Judicial Circuit Court Proceedings will be held online

Stephens County Chief Superior Court Judge Russell W. Smith and Superior Court Judge Chan Caudell have issued a Declaration/Standing Order providing that during the period of emergency, unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge, all court proceedings in the Mountain Judicial Circuit will be held online.

Following Governor Brian Kemps Shelter-in-Place order that was issued on April 3, the announcement comes in recognition of the fact that there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Mountain Judicial Circuit—including Stephens, Habersham and Rabun counties.

According to Smith, all attorneys and parties will be sent an email with a link to access their hearing.

He adds that members of the public who would like to attend a hearing may contact the office of the clerk of court for the county in which the case is scheduled to be heard.

The Clerk will provide a link which can be used to access the hearing remotely from any laptop or smartphone.

Laptop computers are available at each courthouse for use by the parties or their witnesses who do not have other access to a laptop or smartphone.

Smith instructs litigants to direct any questions regarding a particular case to their attorneys.

Any general questions or concerns may be directed to Smith by email at [email protected] or at his office at 706-886-7525.