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 State Court of Athens-Clarke County.
When you request a jury trial, you will be given a 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.