Bibb County Court Process

The operational sequence of a DUI arrest in Bibb County follows a rigid protocol dictated by both state law and BCSO policy. Upon a traffic stop—whether for a moving violation like failure to maintain lane or at a safety checkpoint on Eisenhower Parkway—the deputy initiates a standardized investigation.

DWI Court Procedures in Bibb County, Georgia

This guide provides an overview of DWI (Driving While Intoxicated, also known as DUI) court procedures specific to Bibb County, Georgia. Understanding these local processes can help you navigate the legal system effectively.

Arrest and Booking

All custodial arrests in Macon-Bibb are processed at the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center located at 668 Oglethorpe Street, Macon, GA 31201. You can reach the booking department at (478) 746-9441. After arrest, a medical screening is conducted; if a DUI suspect has an excessively high BAC—typically over 0.25 or 0.30—or shows signs of drug overdose, the jail will refuse acceptance until cleared by a hospital, potentially delaying the booking.

A notable aspect of Bibb County's process is that inmate mail is screened by a third-party vendor in Florida. Mail intended for inmates should be sent to:

Incarcerated Name & ID # Bibb County GA PO BOX 25414 Tampa, FL 33622

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) maintains an online inmate search portal updated approximately every 30 minutes, providing near real-time tracking of bookings and bond amounts.

Bond Hearings and Release

In Bibb County, Magistrate Court, though headquartered at the J. Taylor Phillips Courthouse (601 Mulberry Street, Room 401), conducts bond hearings for incarcerated defendants virtually via video conferencing between the jail and the judge. For misdemeanor DUI offenses, Bibb County utilizes a bond schedule to expedite release. Professional surety (bondsman) services are readily available around the LEC on Oglethorpe Street and First Street. Key players include All-State Bonding at 665 Oglethorpe St and Anytime Bail Bonding at 939 Second St. Release times after bond is posted can range from 2 to 6 hours. Bibb County courts are increasingly utilizing technology as a condition of bond, like SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor), with providers like ProntoTrak and A 2nd Chance Monitoring offering these services locally.

Vehicle Impound

If your vehicle is impounded, be aware that you cannot choose your own tow truck. Contact the BCSO Records Division at (478) 310-4119 or the Traffic Division at (478) 803-2586 (District 4 Traffic) to locate it. To lift a hold on your vehicle, you must go to the Sheriff’s Support Operations Bureau at 111 Third Street, Suite 1A, with a valid driver’s license, proof of ownership, and valid insurance.

Administrative License Suspension (ALS)

If issued a DDS-1205 form (failure to test or over the legal limit), you have 30 days to request an ALS hearing or opt for an Ignition Interlock Limited Permit (IILP). To obtain an IILP, visit the DDS Customer Service Center at 200 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. It's closed Sunday and Monday.

State Court Procedures

Misdemeanor DUI cases are handled by the State Court of Bibb County, located at the J. Taylor Phillips Courthouse, 601 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201. The Clerk’s Office is in Room 500; you can reach them at (478) 621-6200. The judges are Chief Judge Jeff Hanson and Judge Sharell Lewis. Judge Sharell Lewis requires that anyone with a valid basis to be excused from court must contact chambers at least 72 hours before the court date. Leaving a voicemail is explicitly stated as insufficient to excuse presence. Pre-Trial Diversion (PTD) is rarely offered for DUI cases in Bibb County.

Accountability Courts

The Macon Judicial Circuit operates an extensive Accountability Court system, including Drug Court and Mental Health Court. The Drug Court is located at 601 Mulberry Street, Suite 310, and coordinated by Bob Schwartz, who can be reached at (478) 621-6311.

DUI School and Clinical Evaluations

State law mandates a 20-hour "Risk Reduction" course for all DUI convictions. Providers in Macon include Georgia Driving School at 3252 Vineville Ave. ((478) 755-8888), Enhance Behavioral Health at 3083 Vineville Ave. ((478) 258-7798), and GW Defensive Driving School at 2627 Montpelier Ave. ((229) 309-1100).