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LIBERTY COUNTY MAGISTRATE COURT Liberty County Justice Center 201 South Main Street, Suite 2100 Hinesville, Georgia 31313 (912) 368-2063 GUIDELINES OF WHAT A CLERK OF COURT MAY OR MAY NOT DO TO ASSIST A PARTY A CLERK MAY: Answer general questions about how the court works. Tell you what the requirements are to have your case filed such as explaining the filing and service fees. Give you information from your case file. Provide you with information on the status of your case and copies of any court orders issued in the case. Provide general information on court rules, practices and procedures. Provide information about deadlines and due dates for pleadings. Explain how to get matters scheduled for a hearing or trial. Provide you with samples of court forms that are available. Provide limited assistance as to how to complete court forms. Describe how to file your legal documents with the court for the Judge’s review. A CLERK MAY NOT: Give a legal opinion. Only a lawyer can give legal advice. Tell you whether or not you should bring your problem to the court for resolution. Give you an opinion about what will happen if you bring your case to court. Withhold information about the status of your case. Allow you to review a court file that contains confidential information. Change deadlines and due dates without direction from the judge. Schedule matters without consent or order of the judge. Recommend which forms you should fill out to win your case. Recommend a specific lawyer to represent you in court. Persuade the judge to issue a judgment nor change an order of the court. Talk to the judge for you about your case nor let you talk to the judge outside the presence of the opposing party or counsel.