Municipal Court
Judge Chimere Chisolm-Trimble, J.D.,
Judge
municipalcourt@fortvalleyga.org
Roslyn Howell,
Municipal Court Clerk
rhowell@fortvalleyga.org
Phone:
(478) 662-8180
Physical Address:
204 West Church Street
Fort Valley, GA 31030
Department Hours:
Monday – Friday
(Except Holidays)
8AM – 5PM
The Fort Valley Municipal Court is a non-jury court system responsible for adjudicating cases associated with misdemeanor traffic offenses, drug offenses, shoplifting cases, and city ordinance violations. The court is presided over by The Honorable Chimere Chisolm-Trimble. Most citations can be paid with a money order, credit/debit cards, a cashier’s check, or online for your convenience, excluding mandatory offenses that require a court appearance.
**Arraignment & Trial Dates: Always on Tuesday’s @ 10:30am must arrive before 10:00AM**
Court Guidelines
Prohibited Items
The following items are prohibited from entering the courtroom:
• Cell phones
• Food
• Drink
• Chewing gum
• Tobacco Products
• Newspaper
• Magazines
• Books
• Pocketbooks
• Backpacks or large bags
Dress Code
PROPER DRESS IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN INTEGRITY AND DECORUM IN THE COURT ROOM. The following is NOT appropriate dress for a court appearance, and you will be denied entry into the court room:
• Ripped or torn jeans
• Baggy pants that fall below the waist
• Shorts
• Tank tops
• Halters or bare midriffs
• Hair curlers or hats/do-rags
• Bare feet or “flip flops”
• Muscle shirts
• Clothing with emblems that condone illegal or inappropriate activity
• Clothing depicting violence, sexual acts, profanity, or illegal drugs
• Sunglasses
NOTE: The Court Clerk will have the final say as to what is appropriate dress for a court appearance.
Other Rules
• DEADLINE TO PAY YOUR CITATION IS 5 P.M. THE DAY PRIOR TO THE COURT DATE. If you come to make payment on an arraignment date, there will be a delay in service. The arraignment will take precedence.
• DO NOT BE LATE! Court begins at 10:300 a.m. depending on the session. You will need to arrive at least 30 minutes early to check in and complete a court plea document. If you arrive late, you will be placed at the bottom of the calendar and the court may access a $50.00 Late fee.
• NO WEAPONS ARE PERMITTED IN THE COURT ROOM. This includes pocket knives. Please leave these items at home or in your vehicle.
• THE COURT ROOM IS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND ALL ARE WELCOME. Children are allowed in the courtroom, however, given the formal nature of court proceedings, it is not recommended for infants or small children. If there are disturbances, the children and the person in control of the children will be asked to wait outside of the courtroom.
• ELECTRONIC DEVICES MUST BE TURNED OFF AND/OR SILENCED. This includes cell phones, pagers, laptop computers, tablet/iPad, Walkmans, and/or iPods. There shall be no videos, photographs or recordings in the Courtroom unless you have received prior written approval from the Court.
• BE PREPARED TO PAY YOUR FINE. The Byron Municipal Court does not accept cash. You may also pay with Credit/Debit Cards. There will be a 5% service fee added to your fine for the use of a credit/debit card, Official Bank Checks or Money Orders. NO PERSONAL CHECKS ACCEPTED. NO PAYMENTS ARE ACCEPTED BY TELEPHONE.
• You MAY NOT ask the Court Bailiff or Court Clerk for legal advice prior to Court.
• THE JUDGE IS ADDRESSED WITH RESPECT. “Yes, your honor” and “no, your honor” are the proper responses.
Forms
*Forms can be emailed to Roslyn Howell, Municipal Court Clerk at rhowell@fortvalleyga.org.
Court Address Update Form
Discovery Request Form
FVMC Public Defender Application
Plea Absentia Form
Record of Defendant (Prior to Entering A Plea)
Record of Defendant (Prior to Entering A Plea) – Spanish
Request For Court Documents
Witness Subpoena Updated
Important Court Contacts
• Peach County District Attorney’s Office: (478) 825-8454
• Peach County Magistrate Court: (478) 825-2060
• Peach Juvenile Probate Court: (478) 825-2313
• Peach County Juvenile Court: (478) 825-3453
• Peach County Superior Court: (478) 825-5331
• Peach County Sheriff’s Office: (478) 825-8269
• Byron Municipal Court: (478) 956-2757
• Department of Driver Services
Mandatory Appearances
- 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 17 mph or Greater over the Speed Limit (our system currently marks 17 and over as must appear)
- Suspended License
- Suspended Registration
- Vehicular Homicide/Serious Injury
IMPORTANT NOTE: Anyone under the age of 21 must appear in court and should bring a parent/legal guardian or proof of emancipation.
Open Records
In accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70), a request may be made in person, mail, or via email. Court personnel will respond to the request in a timely manner in the order received.
Request For Court Documents
Paying Citations
NOTE: Some citations require that you must appear. Please call if you have questions. 478.825.8261. Effective May 1, 2024, cash will no longer be accepted***
Traffic Citations
If you do not want to appear in court and want to pay your citation early, you may pay online or in person. Payment is due before the court date!
Payment Methods:
- No Personal checks or business checks accepted.
- For Debit or Credit cards, a 5% charge is added.
- Money Orders/Cashier’s Checks MUST BE for the exact amount of the fine. NO CHANGE WILL BE PROVIDED.
- Pay online. You will need your date of birth and citation number or Driver’s license number
- Pay by mail (MONEY ORDER OR CASHIER’S CHECKS). *Please put your citation number on the Money order
Probation
Georgia Probation Management
Fort Valley Municipal Court partners with GPM to rehabilitate offenders by allowing them to remain in the community under supervision. Probation aims to provide support and resources that help individuals address the underlying issues that may have contributed to their criminal behavior. This can include access to counseling, education, and job training programs.
Our Probation cases are handled by:
Georgia Probation Management
112 S Camellia Blvd # B
Fort Valley, GA 31030
(478) 825-1166
Municipal Court FAQs
What charges can I pay before my court date?
Certain citations may be paid before your court date. Anyone Under 21 must appear in court.
By paying your fine before your court date, you are pleading guilty to the charge(s). If you wish to plead nolo contendere (no contest) to any charge(s), you must appear in court.
If you receive more than one citation, and if any of those citations are on the list of charges requiring a court appearance, you must come to court on all of the citations and you cannot pay any of the fines in advance.
For example, if you are charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and an Expired Tag, you cannot pay the citation for the Expired Tag before your court date even though it is on the list below of citations that can be paid before your court date. Instead, the citations for Expired Tag must be taken care of in court at the same time as the DUI charge.
You can check your citation requirements online via www.ezcourtpay.com to see if you must appear in court and cannot pay the fine in advance.
You may pay your municipal court fine online at: www.ezcourtpay.com
You may pay your municipal court fine by phone toll-free at: 1-800-262-0128
PLEASE ALLOW TEN (10) BUSINESS DAYS FROM THE DATE THE CITATION IS ISSUED TO MAKE A PAYMENT ONLINE, OVER THE PHONE, OR IN PERSON.
The Municipal Court does not accept cash or personal checks.
To pay a fine by mail, you may send a certified check or a money order, payable to the Clerk of Municipal Court, with a copy of your citation(s) to:
Municipal Court Fort Valley
P.O. Box 956
Fort Valley, Georgia 31030
To pay a fine in person, you may come to the Municipal Court Clerk’s Office, Fort Valley City Hall, 204 W Church Street, Fort Valley GA, Georgia 31030. The Clerk’s payment window is open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. Acceptable forms of payment are: certified check or a money order, payable to the Clerk of Municipal Court, Credit or Debit Cards with picture ID. No Tap to Pay options are available.
You may pay a fine in person via debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover), cash, certified check, or money order. If you are paying with a card, you must have the physical card with you and your photo identification.
Please be aware that this list may be updated from time to time
Violation
Allowing an Unlicensed Person to Drive
Altered License Tag
Commercial Tire Requirements
Defective Equipment
Disobeying/ Running a Red Light
Disobeying/ Running a Stop Sign
Distracted Driving (1st violation)
Distracted Driving (2nd violation)
Distracted Driving (3rd violation Only)
Driver to Exercise Due Care (no accident)
Driving in the Gore
Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road
Duty to Report an Accident
Expired License (less than 30 days)
Expired Tag
Failure to Change Address on Driver’s License within 60 Days
Failure to Dim Headlights
Failure to Display Current Decal
Failure to Maintain Lane
Failure to Signal
Failure to Yield Right of Way
Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle
False Alarm Violation (1st Citation in a Calendar Year)
Fireworks Violation
Following too Closely
Glass Container
Headphones while Driving
Impeding the Flow of Traffic
Improper Backing
Improper Driving on the Roadway/ Weaving
Improper Passing/ Passing in a No-Passing Zone
Improper Standing/ Stopping
Improper Starting of a Parked Vehicle
Improper Tag Display
Improper Turn/ U-Turn
Improper Use of Central Lane
Improper Use of Horn
Littering on the Highway
Loud Music from a Vehicle
Move Over Violation–Failure to Yield to a Funeral Procession
Move Over Violation–Failure to Move Over for an Emergency Vehicle on the Roadway
No Brake Lights / Brake Lights Not Working Properly
No Company Name Displayed
No Headlights / Headlights Not Working Properly
No Helmet/ Protective Gear
No License on Person
No Tag Lights
No Tail Lights or Tail Lights Not Working Properly
No Through Trucks Violation
No Tow Lights/ No Flag on Load
Obstructing a Driver’s View or Control
Obstructing an Intersection
Parking in a Handicapped Zone
Passing a Stopped School Bus (violators 21 yrs & older)
Passing on a Curve or Hill—21 and Over Driver
Passing in a No Passing Zone at a Railroad Grade
Passing in a No Passing Zone at or near a Bridge
Pedestrian Traffic-Control Device Violation
Pedestrian on or Along Roadway (Downtown only)
Pedestrian Under the Influence
Public Urination or Defecation
Railroad Crossing Violations
Safety/ Seatbelt Violation – under 8 years (1st violation)
Safety/ Seatbelt Violation – under 8 years (2nd and subsequent)
Safety/ Seatbelt Violation (8 – 18 years)
Safety/ Seatbelt Violation (Adult Only)
Speeding 6-10 Miles per Hour Over the Limit
Speeding 6-10 Miles per Hour Over the Limit in a School Zone
Speeding 6-10 Miles per Hour Over the Limit in a Construction Zone
Speeding 11-14 Miles per Hour Over the Limit
Speeding 11-14 Miles per Hour Over the Limit in a School Zone
Speeding 11-14 Miles per Hour Over the Limit in a Construction Zone
Speeding 15-18 Miles per Hour Over the Limit
Speeding 15-18 Miles per Hour Over the Limit in a School Zone
Speeding 15-18 Miles per Hour Over the Limit in a Construction Zone
Striking an Unattended Vehicle
Striking a Fixture / Fixed Object
Too Fast for Conditions
Unregistered Vehicle / Registration Required
Unsecured Load
Unsecured Load Resulting in an Accident
Vehicle on Sidewalk
Vehicle Width Violation
Window Tint/ Windshield Violation
Wrong Way on a One-Way Street
What charges require a court appearance?
If you are charged with any of the offenses listed below, you must appear in court on the court date listed on your citation. Other citations may also require a court appearance.
For most state law violations, the maximum penalty is 12 months in jail and/or probation and a maximum fine of $1,000 plus surcharges.
For local county ordinance violations, the maximum penalty is six months in jail and/or probation and a maximum fine of $1,000 plus surcharges.
**Notice: This list may be updated from time to time.**
Must Appear Offenses
• Aggressive Driving
• All City Nuisance Offenses
• All Alcohol Offenses (except open container)?
• All Code Enforcement/Environmental Compliance Violations
• All Defendants Under the Age of 21
• All Drug Offenses
• Disorderly Conduct
• 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 17 mph or Greater over the Speed Limit (our system currently marks 17 and over as must appear)
• Suspended License
• Suspended/Revoked Registration
• Vehicular Homicide/Serious Injury
• Offenses committed by those UNDER 21
IMPORTANT NOTE: Anyone under the age of 21 must appear in court and should bring a parent/legal guardian or proof of emancipation.
What happens if I want to plead not guilty and have a trial?
Last Content Update: Tuesday, June 26, 2025
Trial Procedure
- Trials in Municipal Court are bench trials, meaning a trial just in front of a Judge.
- At trial, counsel for the State or County has the burden to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
- To have a trial, you must appear at your arraignment date and enter a not-guilty plea. Once you enter your not-guilty plea, you will be given your Municipal Court bench trial date. The bench trial will be scheduled for a later date, generally in the afternoon.
- At the conclusion of the evidence in the bench trial, the Judge will enter a verdict on your charges.
Jury Trial
- If you are charged with a State misdemeanor violation, you have a right to a jury trial. If you want a jury trial, your case will be transferred from Municipal Court to the Superior Court of Peach County.
- When you request a jury trial, you will be given written notice of your new court date for an arraignment in State Court.
Penalties if Convicted
- If you are found guilty at trial, your fine could be up to $1000 plus surcharges, and you could be required to serve up to 12 months for State law violations or six (6) months for local ordinance violations in jail or on probation for each offense.
- If you are sentenced to probation, you may also be required to pay a monthly probation supervision fee.
How do I change a court date?
Last Content Update: Monday, November 18, 2024
Rescheduling
If you wish to request a reset or rescheduled court date, you will need to contact the Municipal Court Clerk’s Office at least two (2) business days in advance of your court date.
You may reach the Municipal Court Clerk’s Office at 478-825-8261; however, email communication is preferred. Send emails to municipalcourt@fortvalleyga.org and include your full name, date of birth, complete mailing address, telephone number, and case number (if possible). You may be granted a one-time continuance.
If you are represented by an attorney, your attorney will make the reset request on your behalf.
Arraignment
Whether you are scheduled for your first arraignment or a continued arraignment, a reset will be granted upon request under the following conditions:
o You are ill and have medical documentation.
o You have had an emergency situation.
Please understand that we will attempt to reschedule your new court date at the next available time, typically within 30-60 days. We will need to confirm your current contact information and update any changes prior to granting the reset request. If your contact information changes, please remember to update Municipal Court at municipalcourt@fortvalleyga.org or at 478-825-8261.
If you fail to appear for the rescheduled court date, or any court date that has been scheduled, you may be subject to arrest and assessment of fines and court costs.
Missing Work or School
We are happy to give you a written excuse for missing work or school due to your Municipal Court appearance.
What happens if I fail to come to court?
Last Content Update: Monday, November 18, 2024
Failure to Appear Consequences
If you fail to appear on your court date and have not paid your fine in full, you are subject to a failure to appear fee.
If a warrant is issued to bring you to court, you will also be subject to a warrant fee.
Failure to Appear – Motor Vehicle Citations
In addition to a failure to appear fee, if you fail to appear for a motor vehicle citation, you are subject to arrest on a failure to appear warrant. The Municipal Court Clerk’s Office is required to notify the State of Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) of your failure to respond to the citation. DDS will suspend your driver’s license or privilege to drive in Georgia until you respond and pay any fines and penalties imposed, show proof of payment, and pay any required license restoration fees.
Failure to Appear – Other citations, accusations, or orders
In addition to a failure to appear fee, if you fail to come to court for other citations, accusations, or as ordered, a bench warrant or contempt warrant will be issued. You may also be assessed warrant fees and court costs. Your bond may be forfeited as well.
What is my right to an attorney?
Last Content Update: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
You have the right to be represented by a lawyer in connection with your charges in Municipal Court. You may hire an attorney of your own choosing. Also, the Macon Judicial Circuit Public Defender represents many persons who cannot afford an attorney.
If you do not qualify for representation by the Public Defender, you should make arrangements to hire a lawyer. If you have not had the opportunity to hire a lawyer before your court date, you must come to court on your court date to request additional time to hire a lawyer.
Public Defender
The Western Circuit Public Defender Office provides representation only for certain offenses in Municipal Court (including DUI, possession of marijuana, theft by shoplifting, no valid or suspended license, fleeing and attempting to elude, racing, leaving the scene of an accident, underage possession of alcohol, sale of alcohol to a person under the age of 21, unlawful use of license, and fake ID).
The Public Defender represents only those persons whose income falls below a certain level set by federal guidelines. If you believe you would qualify for representation by the Public Defender, you must apply at their office and be interviewed on your charges. A $50 Public Defender application fee may be assessed pursuant to state and local law.
If you want to seek the assistance of the Public Defender, please contact their office prior to your court date. The office is located at 201 Second Street, Suite 550, Macon, GA 31201. An appointment is not required for intake between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
If you want to be represented by a Public Defender but you are charged with an offense that they do not handle, you may have an attorney appointed to represent you if you financially qualify. You would need to go to the Public Defender’s office prior to your court date and fill out a financial application. The Public Defender’s office will let you know if you qualify for a court-appointed attorney and provide you with a form to bring to the Municipal Court Clerk’s Office. As soon as you receive that form, go to the Municipal Court Clerk’s Office and leave the form for an attorney to be appointed to represent you.
If you have any other questions regarding the Public Defender Office, you may reach them at 478-621-5950 or via their website
How do I request a trial?
Last Content Update: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Trial Procedure
- Trials in Municipal Court are bench trials meaning a trial just in front of a Judge.
- At trial, counsel/officer for the State or County has the burden to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
- To have a trial, you must appear at your arraignment date and enter a not-guilty plea. Once you enter your not-guilty plea, you will be given your Municipal Court bench trial date. The bench trial will be scheduled for a later date, generally in the afternoon.
- At the conclusion of the evidence in the bench trial, the Judge will enter a verdict on your charges.
Jury Trial
- If you are charged with a State misdemeanor violation, you have a right to a jury trial. If you want a jury trial, your case will be transferred from Municipal Court to the Superior Court of Peach County.
- When you request a jury trial, you will be given a written notice of your new court date for an arraignment in Superior Court.
Penalties if Convicted
- If you are found guilty at trial, your fine could be up to $1000 plus surcharges, and you could be required to serve up to 12 months for State law violations or six (6) months for local ordinance violations in jail or on probation for each offense.
- If you are sentenced to probation, you may also be required to pay a monthly probation supervision fee.
How do I plead guilty or nolo contendere in court?
Last Content Update: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
If you wish to plead guilty or nolo contendere for most Municipal Court cases, your fine could be up to $1000 plus surcharges, and you could be subject to serve up to 12 months (state law violations) or six (6) months (local ordinance violations) in jail or on probation.
If you are sentenced to probation, you may also be required to pay a monthly probation supervision fee.
Pleading Guilty to a Traffic Offense
If you plead guilty to a traffic offense, points may be assessed on your driver’s license.
A guilty plea to a moving violation will be reported to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) as required by law, and the guilty plea will appear on your driving record.
Pleading Nolo Contendere to a Traffic Offense
You may plead nolo contendere (no contest) to a traffic offense, but only if you have not entered a nolo contendere plea to another traffic offense in the last five (5) years. Whether to accept a nolo contendere plea is in the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge.
A nolo contendere plea to a moving violation will be reported to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) as required by law, and the nolo contendere plea will appear on your driving record. The difference between a nolo contendere plea and a guilty plea is that a nolo contendere plea does not result in points against your driver’s license.
However, since you are allowed only one nolo contendere plea every five (5) years, if you plead nolo contendere to this citation and you have another nolo contendere on your record from the last five (5) years, the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) will consider this nolo contendere plea a guilty plea and points may be assessed against your driver’s license.
Remember: If you enter a nolo contendere plea, you cannot plea nolo contendere again to a traffic violation for the next five (5) years.
