Atlanta, GA

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The Big Peach or better known as Hot’ Lanta, Atlanta, Georgia is home to over 5.6 million people and still growing. As one of the most impactful economic centers within the U.S., it’s no wonder that people are still flocking from the four corners of America to the heart of the South. Serving as a hub for many Fortune 100 companies, including The Coca-Cola Company, UPS, and Delta Airlines Atlanta is showing no signs of slowing down.

Atlanta began as a settlement located at the terminus of a railroad line, and it was incorporated in 1845. Today, the city is a major business city and the primary transportation hub of the Southeastern United States (via highway, railroad, and air), with Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport being the world’s busiest airport since 1998.

The World Cities Study Group at Loughborough University rated Atlanta as an “Beta+ world city”. With a gross domestic product of US$270 billion, Atlanta’s economy ranks 15th among world cities and sixth in the nation. The city is a center for services, finance, information technology, government, and higher education.

Metro Atlanta contains the country’s third-largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies and is the world headquarters of The Coca-Cola Company, Turner Broadcasting, The Home Depot, AT&T Mobility, UPS, and Delta Air Lines. As of 2010, Atlanta is the seventh most visited city in the United States, with over 35 million visitors per year.

The city has long been known as a center of black wealth, political power and culture; a cradle of the Civil Rights Movement and home to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. However, the city’s white population is growing rapidly, while Metro Atlanta has quickly become ethnically diverse with large Hispanic and Asian populations.

Atlanta Courthouses

Atlanta’s court system was designed to match the continued growth that is seen today. A network of courthouses which handle various parts of the law is interdependent. For people dealing with a legal matter, this system makes it critical to understand which courts fit the issues in your situation. Follow this guide to identify the many key courthouses throughout Atlanta.

 State Courts

State Court of Fulton County

Fulton County Justice Center Tower, 185 Central Ave., S.W.

Atlanta, GA 30303

Tel: (404) 612-4518

Fulton County Justice Center Tower, 185 Central Ave., S.W., Atlanta, GA 30303

Lewis R. Slaton Courthouse, 136 Pryor St., S.W., Atlanta, GA 30303

Charles L. Carnes Justice Center Building, 160 Pryor St., S.W., Atlanta, GA 30303

The State Court of Fulton County is actually a single complex consisting of three buildings located on the same block. The Criminal Division handles misdemeanor criminal cases only, including DUI, but does not preside over felonies. The State Court also has jurisdiction over civil actions regardless of the amount in controversy. The Self-Help Center is a useful resource if you need help finding the correct forms or you would like to receive information about your case. If you are selected for jury duty, you are permitted to bring a laptop to use while waiting; they even have free Wi-Fi (try using “guest” as both login and password). Also, there is a small cafeteria on the first floor, but for more variety head to the second floor and follow the signs to the Fulton County Government Building.

Magistrate Court of Fulton County

185 Central Ave., S.W.

Atlanta, GA 30303

The Magistrate Court is located in the same building as the State Court, but it deals only with specific issues.  The Magistrate Court has a small claims division for civil actions involving $15,000 or less, and also handles traffic infractions, landlord-tenant issues, and other ordinance code violations.

Municipal Court of Atlanta

150 Garnett St. S.W.

Atlanta, GA 30303

Tel: (404) 658-6940

The Municipal Court has jurisdiction over city ordinances and misdemeanor traffic offenses.

Generally, this means traffic or parking tickets, DUI, and various misdemeanors.  Fines can conveniently be paid online through their website. If you pay in person, you can save time by paying parking tickets outside without waiting in line at the security checkpoint.

Superior Court of Fulton County

Lewis R. Slaton Courthouse, 136 Pryor Street, S.W., Suite C-640

Atlanta, GA 30303

Tel: (404) 612-4518

The Superior Court of Fulton County is the primary trial court in Atlanta. It has exclusive jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, domestic relations, equity and cases regarding title to land. This Court also hears appeals from lower courts.

Misdemeanor criminal cases, such as DUI, are generally not handled by the Superior Court. This Court offers mediation and hosts specialized Business Law and Family Law, divisions. Their website offers some helpful forms and tips on Family Law matters.

Fulton County Probate Court

Lewis R. Slaton Courthouse, 136 Pryor St., S.W.

Atlanta, GA 30303

Tel: (404) 612-4640

The Probate Court oversees the division of a deceased individual’s property. The Probate Court also appoints guardians for minors or incapacitated adults, issues marriage and firearm licenses, and determines when involuntary treatment for the mentally ill is appropriate.

Fulton County Juvenile Court

395 Pryor St. S.W., #J242

Atlanta, GA 30312

Tel: (404) 613-4459

The Juvenile Court has jurisdiction over criminal offenses committed by minors, called “adjudications.”

Court of Appeals of Georgia

47 Trinity Avenue S.W., Suite 501

Atlanta, GA 30334

Tel: (404) 656-3450

The Court of Appeals reviews decisions made by lower courts.  They have appellate jurisdiction over all cases except those involving constitutional questions, land title disputes, the construction of wills, murder, election contests, habeas corpus, extraordinary remedies, divorce, and alimony; those matters proceed directly to the Georgia Supreme Court.  No trials are held at the Court of Appeals.

Supreme Court of Georgia

244 Washington Street, S.W., Room 572

Atlanta, GA 30334

Tel: (404) 656-3470

As the highest court in the state, the Supreme Court of Georgia generally gets the final word in all state legal matters. The Supreme Court reviews civil and criminal cases from Georgia’s lower courts, as well as petitions from decisions by the Court of Appeals. All seven justices sit three or four times each month to hear oral arguments. No trials are held at the Georgia Supreme Court.

Atlanta DMV’s

DMV’s in Atlanta vary by location. Although they all provide similar services, there are some which provided additional or specific services such as CDL written exams, or road tests. Additionally, some DMV offices work a little more efficiently. Choosing which office to schedule your appointment with, or to drop in on can be daunting with so many locations.

Go through this helpful guide to find out which location is right for your needs. Common services provided throughout many DMV locations include updating registration on a vehicle, changing titles, obtaining plates, and applying for driver’s licenses. A few locations provide disabled parking placards, commercial driving tests, and CDL testing. If you have any of these specific needs, consider making an appointment.

Registration & Title Office

141 Pryor St. Suite 1085

Atlanta, GA 30303

Tel: (404) 613-6100

Services: Registration, Titling, Plates, Registration Renewal

Driver License Office

400 Whitehall Street SW

Atlanta, GA 30303

Tel: (678) 413-8400

Services: Driver’s License, Identification Cards, Written Test, Commercial, CDL Written, Disabled Parking, Wheelchair Accessible

Registration & Title Office

515 John Wesley Dobbs Avenue NE

Atlanta, GA 30312

Tel: (404) 613-6100

Services: Registration, Titling, Plates, Registration Renewal

Driver License Office

2801 Candler Road Suite 82

Decatur, GA 30034

Tel: (678) 413-8400

Services: Driver’s License, Identification Cards, Written Test, Road Test, Commercial, CDL Written, Disabled Parking, Wheelchair Accessible

Registration & Title Office

2801 Candler Road Ste 66

Decatur, GA 30034

Tel: (404) 298-4000

Services: Registration, Titling, Plates, Registration Renewal, Disabled Parking

Wheelchair Accessible

Registration & Title Office

677 Fairburn Rd NW

Atlanta, GA 30331

Tel: (404) 613-6100

Services: Registration, Titling, Plates, Registration Renewal

Atlanta Police Departments

The Atlanta Police Department is a community-focused police agency. They rely on a substantial amount of community input and focus on using collaborative strategies. Tackling public safety matters as well as prioritizing daily matters, the department is able to keep the city in peace successfully. On a daily occurrence, the Atlanta Police Department handles domestic violence situations, youth-related crime, organized crime matters, and managing the perception of crime within Atlanta. With more than 2,000 it stands as high-profile enforcement agency which continues to move towards implementing positive change within the Atlanta community.

Public Safety Headquarters Address:

226 Peachtree Street SW Atlanta, GA 30303
Tel: (404) 614-6544

Atlanta Fire Departments

For a variety of hazards and emergencies, the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department focuses on providing diverse solutions. The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department or AFRD has five primary divisions which respond to different emergencies. They are the Support Services Division the Field Operations Division, as well as the Technical Services Division. Then, of course, there is an Emergency Medical Division and the Airport Fire Division. Atlanta Fire is among a very small group of accredited departments with the Center for Public Safety Excellence. In addition to this accreditation, they keep a Class 1 ISO rating.

Those who serve the AFRD commit their work towards providing the best level of service within Atlanta. These firefighters are operating in compliance with the Standard of Response coverage, the legal obligation that binds them to the people of Atlanta. That includes all citizens, businesses, as well as the visitors who come in through one of the most trafficked airports in the world. They take personal pride in performing their duties regularly.

In any given year the AFRD will respond to numerous calls to action, covering one of the largest areas for any particular fire department. In addition to protecting and serving the city of Atlanta, they provide aid to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with numerous stations on the Airport property. Within Atlanta, there are thousands of high-rise buildings, an expansive rapid railway system, and the interstate freeway system as well.

AFRD provides innovative ways to provide services to many non-emergency programs that benefit the community. These programs include supporting smoke alarm installation and checks, senior community events, outreach programs, and volunteer emergency response teams.

Public Safety Headquarters Address:

226 Peachtree Street SW Atlanta, GA 30303

Tel: (404) 546-7000

Atlanta Libraries

The network of libraries which exist throughout Atlanta and stretch into Fulton aids the community in many ways. The system is technically under the operation of the Fulton county but contains many valuable locations within Atlanta. The Central Library, one of the best-known libraries in the area, is nestled in the heart of the downtown area. Another gem within the city includes the Auburn Avenue Research Library which accompanies about 33 other locations.

Atlanta Hospitals

Throughout the Big Peach, hospitals provide emergency care and schedules services for those who need medical attention. Speak with your medical team or doctor to discuss which hospitals they serve. In medical emergencies, always contact emergency services for instruction or transportation. Emergency services will likely direct you to the nearest hospital location.

Many hospitals do have different specializations, but many within the city are nationally renowned. Many are on top hospitals list or recognized as epicenters for advancements in procedures and patient care. Take pride in knowing that when in Atlanta, you’re receiving outstanding medical care from the top facilities in the state and some within the nation.

Piedmont Atlanta Hospital

1968 Peachtree St NW

Atlanta, GA 30309

Tel: (404) 605-5000

A 643-bed, private, not-for-profit hospital – Piedmont Atlanta Hospital is a leader in patient care that’s helped the Atlanta community get better and stay well for more than a century. Named the top acute-care community hospital in metro Atlanta in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Hospitals list, Piedmont Atlanta consistently ranks in the top five among metro Atlanta hospitals in patient experience scores.

WellStar Atlanta Medical Center

303 Parkway Drive NE

Atlanta, GA 30312

Tel: (404) 265-4000

WellStar Health System, the largest health system in Georgia, is known nationally for its innovative care models, focused on improving quality and access to healthcare. Staying ahead of the curve in technology has enabled WellStar to be leaders in both the diagnosis and treatment of an extensive array of health conditions. Serving a diverse population, WellStar Atlanta Medical Center consistently looks at total patient wellness and works to ensure that all systems support that focus. WellStar is recognized nationally as an Employer of Choice and is featured on FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list and Work Mother Magazine’s Best Companies list.

Specialists and primary care providers work in a multi-disciplinary environment with 20,000 team members throughout our 11 hospitals, 225 medical office locations, outpatient centers, health parks, a pediatric center, nursing centers, hospice, homecare. By working through a patient-centered model of care, WellStar places enormous value on quality and safety with many accolades to support our work.

WellStar’s senior leadership, Board of Trustees, Authority, Regional and Foundation Boards evaluate our communities emerging needs to equip our facilities with the best new technology. We know that healthy patients come from healthy neighborhoods and finding ways to deliver better care in metro Atlanta is a big part of who we are. As a not-for-profit, WellStar continually reinvests into the health of its communities through new treatments, services, and facilities.

Grady Health

80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr. SE

Atlanta, GA 30303

Tel: (404) 616-1000

Our physicians, who are on the faculty of Emory and Morehouse medical schools, provide Grady Health patients with unparalleled care in specialties like cancer, urology, cardiology, neurology, and chronic disease – as well as the more routine, like family medicine and senior care. And we provide this care at Grady Hospital and through six facilities inside and outside of the Perimeter.

Whatever the need, Grady fulfills it – even as we continue to raise the bar for medical care in the region. The world’s leading physicians come to Grady to practice here, teach here, and save patients whose conditions are beyond the capabilities of other hospitals.

Atlanta Landmarks

Atlanta is an old city, and that comes with many historical landmarks. As one of the most visited cities in the South, it’s no wonder that the city strives to maintain the rich culture and historical presence that can be found on nearly any corner. See many of the most renowned African-American universities, The King Center, and even the birthplace of the great Martin Luther King Jr.

The arts and entertainment are well represented in Atlanta, and the city is an important base for hip hop, gospel, and neo-soul music; in addition, it has become “The Hollywood of the South”, a major center of film and TV production. Atlanta stands out among major U.S. cities for its dense tree coverage. In 1996, Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympics, an event that spurred a wave of revitilization that has intensified into the 21st century, reinvigorating the city’s center and in-town neighborhoods.

When visiting Atlanta or playing tourist in your own city, you can plan guided tours. Explore areas of the Underground Atlanta. Take your time and enjoy old shopping areas and museums. Atlanta’s history makes a visit to the city a life changing event.