Ben Hill County, GA Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Clerk of Superior Court in Ben Hill County keeps the county's Superior Court records. Superior Court handles felonies, civil cases, and domestic relations for Ben Hill County.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Superior Court of Ben Hill County (Clerk of Superior Court) |
| Handles | Felonies, civil cases, and domestic relations matters in Superior Court |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (U.S. District Court for Georgia), parking tickets (issuing agency), and probate matters (Probate Court) |
| Official Court Information | georgiacourts.gov |
| Online Case Search | GeorgiaCourtAccess.org (search across record types; results are not official court records) |
How to Search Ben Hill County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search Ben Hill County court records.
Online
Go to georgiacourts.gov for official Georgia court information.
Call the clerk to ask which records are available online.
Confirm any copy costs with the clerk before you request records.
Best for: Checking which office holds your case
In Person
Go to the Clerk of Superior Court office at the county courthouse.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk which division handles your case type.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Phone
Contact the Clerk of Superior Court through the statewide directory at gsccca.org.
Ask about response times before you send a written request.
Confirm which records the clerk can release by phone.
Best for: Confirming what a records request needs
Search by Name on GeorgiaCourtAccess.org
Go to GeorgiaCourtAccess.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Ben Hill County Court Statistics
County-level court caseload is not published as a downloadable file, so this section reports Georgia statewide superior court workload figures. Ben Hill County's 2025 population is shown for context.
225
Authorized superior court judges, Georgia statewide
1,474
Cases per judge, Georgia statewide three-year average (2022 to 2024)
50,234
Georgia residents per superior court judge (2025 population)
17,099
Ben Hill County population, 2025 (up from 17,033 in 2024)
| Metric | Georgia statewide |
|---|---|
| Authorized superior court judges | 225 |
| Cases per judge (three-year average, 2022 to 2024) | 1,474 |
| Judge workload value | 243.0 |
| Population (2025) | 11,302,748 |
| State court judges | 134 |
| Juvenile court judges | 156 |
| Probate court judges | 201 |
| Magistrate court judges | 521 |
How Have Court Filings Changed in Ben Hill County?
Estimated total filings in Ben Hill County moved up over the last five years; dispositions are estimated at a similar level.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY 2024 | ~3,181 | ~3,122 | ~+17.1% |
| CY 2023 | ~2,717 | ~2,667 | ~-3.8% |
| CY 2022 | ~2,825 | ~2,773 | ~+6.5% |
| CY 2021 | ~2,652 | ~2,607 | ~+9.4% |
| CY 2020 | ~2,425 | ~2,395 | ~+9.4% |
Estimated filings changed +31.2% between CY 2020 and CY 2024, from 2,425 to 3,181. The largest annual change was +17.1% in CY 2024. The latest change of +17.1% reflects statewide Georgia trends. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Georgia statewide figures scaled by Ben Hill County's 0.15% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Ben Hill County?
County-level filings by case type are not published as a downloadable file, so this section describes Georgia's trial courts and their statewide judge counts. Check your citation or notice to see which court holds your case in Ben Hill County.
| Court | What It Handles | Judges, Georgia Statewide |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Court | Felonies, civil cases, and domestic relations; the Clerk of Superior Court keeps the records | 225 authorized judges |
| State Court | Criminal and civil cases in counties where it sits | 134 judges |
| Magistrate Court | Preliminary hearings, small claims, and civil claims within its limits | 521 judges |
| Probate Court | Estates, guardianships, and other probate matters | 201 judges |
| Juvenile Court | Juvenile delinquency, dependency, and related matters | 156 judges |
| Municipal Court | City ordinance violations and certain traffic cases | Not included in state judge counts |
How Does Ben Hill County Compare With Georgia Overall?
Ben Hill County is estimated to account for about 0.15% of the 2,099,078 cases filed in Georgia courts in CY 2024.
| Metric | Ben Hill County | Georgia | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~3,181 | 2,099,078 | ~0.15% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~+17.1% | +17.1% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~1,590 | 1,697 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~1,561 | 1,665 | Estimated at the state level |
| Criminal share of filings | ~44.3% | 44.3% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~14.3% | 14.3% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~5.2% | 5.2% | Same as state (estimate) |
These county values are estimates built from statewide Georgia figures, so they track the state mix by design. Actual county dockets may differ. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Georgia statewide figures scaled by Ben Hill County's 0.15% share of the state population.
Ben Hill County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Georgia statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Ben Hill County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 16.5% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 91.1% of Georgia's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
31,216
Violent crimes, Georgia statewide, 2025
144,550
Property crimes, Georgia statewide, 2025
276.2
Violent crime rate per 100K, Georgia statewide, 2025 (population 11,302,748)
-16.5%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, Georgia statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (175,766 vs 210,520)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 582 | 5.1 | 747 | -22.1% |
| Rape | 3,191 | 28.2 | 3,535 | -9.7% |
| Robbery | 3,513 | 31.1 | 4,276 | -17.8% |
| Aggravated assault | 23,930 | 211.7 | 25,474 | -6.1% |
| Violent crimes total | 31,216 | 276.2 | 34,032 | -8.3% |
| Burglary | 16,513 | 146.1 | 22,177 | -25.5% |
| Larceny-theft | 111,417 | 985.8 | 130,378 | -14.5% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 16,620 | 147.0 | 23,933 | -30.6% |
| Property crimes total | 144,550 | 1278.9 | 176,488 | -18.1% |
Rates use the Georgia 2025 population of 11,302,748. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Ben Hill County with the state.
Ben Hill County Courthouse Locations
Ben Hill County court proceedings are held at the Ben Hill County Clerk of Superior Court. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Hill County Clerk of Superior Court | 115 South Sheridan Street, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 | (229) 426-5135 | See location page |
Addresses and phone numbers come from public directory listings and may change, so confirm them with the clerk before you visit.
Which Court Handles Your Case in Ben Hill County?
Most Ben Hill County cases start in Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court, Probate Court, or Juvenile Court, depending on the matter. Federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for Georgia, and parking tickets go to the issuing agency.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | The court named on the citation (State Court, Magistrate Court, or municipal court) | Check the citation for the court and the date to respond. |
| Parking ticket | The city or agency that issued the ticket | Superior Court does not handle parking tickets. |
| Misdemeanor | State Court or Magistrate Court, depending on the county | Check your charging papers for the court listed. |
| Felony | Superior Court (Clerk of Superior Court) | Felonies are tried in Superior Court. |
| DUI | Magistrate, State, or Superior Court, depending on the charge | Check the charge on your paperwork to find the court. |
| Domestic violence | Magistrate Court or Superior Court, depending on the case | Ask the clerk about protective orders for your situation. |
| Civil lawsuit | Superior Court, or State Court in counties where it sits | File with the clerk of the court where the case will be heard. |
| Small claims | Magistrate Court | Small claims are filed in Magistrate Court. |
| Eviction | Magistrate Court | Dispossessory (eviction) cases are filed in Magistrate Court. |
| Divorce | Superior Court, Domestic Relations | Divorce cases are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court. |
| Child custody or support | Superior Court, Domestic Relations | These cases are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court. |
| Probate or estate | Probate Court | Probate matters are not heard in Superior Court. |
| Juvenile case | Juvenile Court | Juvenile cases are restricted and not shown in public search. |
| Appeal | Georgia Court of Appeals or Georgia Supreme Court | Appeals from Superior Court usually go to one of these courts. |
Are Ben Hill County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Ben Hill County court records are public, with exceptions. Georgia's Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 et seq.) and each court's own records rules set the general rules.
Public records
Most case files, dockets, and orders in Superior Court are open to the public unless a law or court order restricts them.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, adoption, and family violence records are restricted, and access to them requires a legal basis or a court order.
Online access
Search by name on GeorgiaCourtAccess.org. Results are not official court records, and not every document is online, so confirm with the clerk.
In-person access
Visit the Clerk of Superior Court's office at the county courthouse, or contact the clerk through gsccca.org, to view or request records.
Fees
This page does not list fees. Ask the clerk for current copy and certification fees before you request records.
How to Search Ben Hill County Court Records Online
Use the official Georgia resources to search Ben Hill County cases by case type, and ask the clerk for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Open GeorgiaCourtAccess.org for name searches across record types.
- Search by party name or case number, and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case information for status, parties, and scheduled dates.
- Contact the Clerk of Superior Court, found through gsccca.org, to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | GeorgiaCourtAccess.org; the Clerk of Superior Court | Case information | Full documents may require the clerk |
| Traffic | The court named on the citation | Case information for that court | Confirm with that court's clerk |
| Civil | GeorgiaCourtAccess.org; the Clerk of Superior Court | Case information | Sealed or restricted filings are not shown |
| Small claims | Magistrate Court clerk | Case information | Documents may require the clerk |
| Family law | Clerk of Superior Court, Domestic Relations | Case information | Confidential details are restricted |
| Probate | Probate Court | Estate and guardianship files | Not in Superior Court clerk records |
| Juvenile | Juvenile Court | Case information through the court only | Juvenile proceedings are restricted and not in public search |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Ben Hill County
Payment methods for Ben Hill County court fines are not verified for this page, so the options below point you to the clerk to confirm what is accepted.
- Clerk contact: Contact the Clerk of Superior Court through gsccca.org to confirm which payment methods the office accepts.
Parking tickets are paid to the agency that issued them, not to the Superior Court clerk.
Ben Hill County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Ben Hill County court records?
Start with GeorgiaCourtAccess.org to search by name, or contact the Clerk of Superior Court through gsccca.org for records.
Are Ben Hill County court records public?
Most are, under Georgia's Open Records Act, but juvenile, sealed, adoption, and family violence records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case in Ben Hill County?
Search the defendant's full name on GeorgiaCourtAccess.org, then confirm the case with the Clerk of Superior Court.
How do I find a court date in Ben Hill County?
Check your citation or notice for the date and court, or contact the Clerk of Superior Court through gsccca.org.
How do I pay a traffic ticket in Ben Hill County?
Check your citation for the court named on it, then contact that court's clerk to confirm payment methods. Parking tickets are paid to the issuing agency.
How many cases are filed in Ben Hill County each year?
County filing counts are not published as a downloadable file. Georgia's superior courts averaged 1,474 cases per judge over 2022 to 2024.
What is the most common case type in Ben Hill County?
County case-type counts are not published as a downloadable file, so the most common type cannot be confirmed for the county.
Is crime in Georgia rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 8.3% to 31,216 in 2025 from 34,032 in 2024, and property crimes fell 18.1% to 144,550 from 176,488, as reported to the FBI. These are Georgia statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Ben Hill County Georgia Superior CourtMore Info
| Address: | 111 S. Sheridan St., Fitzgerald, GA, 31750 |
| Phone Number: | 229-426-5135 |
| Fax: | 229-426-5487 |
| Website: | http://www.eighthdistrict.org/cir_cordele.htm |
Useful Links
- Ben Hill County Magistrate Court - Find information on minor civil disputes, small claims, and more in the Magistrate Court of Ben Hill County.
- Ben Hill County Superior Court - Access information on jury services, case management, and court calendars for serious criminal and civil cases.
- Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) - Official state criminal records database by Georgia Bureau of Investigation for checking criminal history.
- Ben Hill County, Georgia - Official Government Website - Explore government services, public records, and news updates for residents of Ben Hill County, Georgia.
- Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority - Offers access to real estate records, liens, and other statewide court-related documents for legal and public research.
- Administrative Office of the Courts of Georgia - Provides resources on state judicial programs, forms, court locations, and statewide administrative support.
- Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia - Resource for prosecutorial legal resources, training, and information on crime and courtroom procedures in Georgia.
- Georgia Legal Aid - Offers free legal information and assistance for low-income individuals seeking civil legal help in Georgia.
- Georgia Appleseed Center for Law & Justice - Non-profit organization providing advocacy and resources for court reformation and legal system improvements.
- Georgia Courts COVID Information - Up-to-date information on court operations, procedures, and safety measures during COVID-19 pandemic across Georgia's judicial system.
- Ben Hill County Justice Center - Information about the local Justice Center including location, departments, and services available to the community.
- Citation Processing Center - Pay traffic citations and access citation information online for Ben Hill County and other jurisdictions in Georgia.
- Georgia Department of Community Supervision - Learn about probation, parole, and community supervision services provided within the state's judicial framework.
- Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia - Access insights on Georgia's superior court judges, case law updates, and judicial services across the state.
- Georgia Department of Corrections - Provides offender information, probation inquiries, and correctional facilities details available to the public.
- Georgia General Assembly - Official resource for Georgia legislative information, new bills, acts, and legal codes affecting state judicial proceedings.
- Georgia.Public.Law - Comprehensive platform with access to updated Georgia laws, state statutes, and legal information for public reference.
- City of Fitzgerald Official Website - Discover city services, news, and resources specifically for Fitzgerald, Georgia, part of Ben Hill County.
- Georgia Licenses, Permits, and Registrations - Learn about obtaining necessary documentation for businesses, hunting, and more across Georgia.
- Council of Probate Court Judges of Georgia - Offers guidance, forms, and information about probate matters within the Georgia state court system.
Table of Contents
- Ben Hill County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Ben Hill County Court Records
- Ben Hill County Court Statistics
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Ben Hill County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Ben Hill County?
- How Does Ben Hill County Compare With Georgia Overall?
- Ben Hill County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Ben Hill County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Ben Hill County?
- Are Ben Hill County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Ben Hill County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Ben Hill County
- Ben Hill County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links