The Northern Judicial Circuit was created in 1818 and is composed of Elbert, Franklin, Hart, Madison and Oglethorpe Counties. The Superior Courts of the Northern Judicial Circuit are trial courts of general jurisdiction handling both civil and criminal cases. It has exclusive, constitutional jurisdiction to preside over felony cases and cases regarding title to land, divorce, equity, declaratory judgments, habeas corpus, mandamus, quo warrants, prohibition, and adoptions. The Superior Court also corrects errors made by lower courts by issuing writs of certiorari and, for some lower courts, the right to direct review by the Superior Court applies.
The Northern Judicial Circuit has two specialized programs to aid the
citizens of the counties. The Divorcing Parents Program is designed to
familiarize parents with the effect of divorce on children. A mediation
program is also in use allowing parties to avoid costly jury trials and
to speed the disposition of certain cases.
