Troup County Georgia - Clerk of Superior and State Courts

Posted by: Jackie on 03/23/2009 01:33 PM
Updated by: Jackie on 04/15/2009 11:08 AM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
The Role of the Clerk

The Clerk of Superior Court is a Constitutional Officer...

...meaning the position was created by act of the Legislature in the state constitution, and has been a county constitutional officer since the framers of the Georgia Constitution of 1798 provided for election of the Clerk of Superior Court in each of Georgia's counties.

The Clerk is the person responsible for protecting the integrity of public records and public funds. The Clerk receives, manages, and processes all court documents, collects and disburses all court fees, fines, and costs, and provides the public with access to court records. As keeper of public records, the Clerk records deeds, mortgages, charters, and notaries public. In effect, the Clerk runs the "business arm" of the local court system and answers first and foremost to the public, ensuring the public's interest and convenience come first.

As an elected public official in each of Georgia's 159 counties, the Clerk of Superior Court is an important check and balance within the county government and judicial system. Citizens case files, court records, property deeds, and mortgages are handled and protected by the Clerk, an impartial officer elected directly by and answerable to the people of the county, and is not an employee or appointee of any county commission or judiciary.