Last Updated: April 30, 2025

 

 Introduction

 

The Cook County Probate Court (“Court,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you visit our website or use our online services, including the Plea in Absentia form.

 

By accessing or using our website and online services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. Please read this policy carefully to understand our practices regarding your information.

 

 Information We Collect

 

 Information You Provide to Us

 

We may collect the following types of information that you voluntarily provide to us:

 

– Personal Information: When you submit a Plea in Absentia form or other court documents, we collect personal information such as your name, address, phone number, email address, case number, citation information, and other identifying information necessary for court proceedings.

– Correspondence Information: If you contact us, we may keep a record of that correspondence and any contact information you provide.

 

 Information We Collect Automatically

 

When you visit our website, our servers may automatically log standard information including:

 

– Usage Data: Information about your visit, such as the date and time you accessed our website, the pages you visited, and the time spent on those pages.

– Device Information: Information about the device you use to access our website, including IP address, browser type, operating system, and device characteristics.

– Cookies and Similar Technologies: We may use cookies or similar technologies to collect information about your browsing activities. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

 

 How We Use Your Information

 

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

 

– To process your Plea in Absentia requests and other court-related matters

– To communicate with you regarding your case or inquiry

– To improve our website and services

– To comply with legal obligations

– To protect the rights, property, or safety of the Court, our users, or others

 

 Legal Basis for Processing

 

We process your information based on the following legal grounds:

 

– To perform our official functions and duties as a court of law

– To comply with legal obligations

– With your consent, where applicable

– For the legitimate interests of the Court, provided these interests do not override your fundamental rights and freedoms

 

 Information Sharing and Disclosure

 

We do not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

 

– Court Officials and Staff: Your information may be shared with authorized court officials, judges, and staff members who need access to process your case.

– County Solicitor: For Plea in Absentia requests, your information will be shared with the Cook County Solicitor to determine if the plea should be accepted.

– Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court or government agency).

– Court Records: Please note that many court records are public records under Georgia law and may be accessible to the public.

 

 Third-Party Links

 

Our website may contain links to third-party websites that have their own privacy policies. Once you leave our website by linking to another website, this Privacy Policy no longer applies. We do not control and are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of any third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any site you visit.

 

 Data Security

 

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

 

 Data Retention

 

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Court records are maintained according to Georgia’s record retention schedules for courts.

 

 Children’s Privacy

 

Our website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

 

 Your Rights

 

Depending on applicable law, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:

 

– The right to access and review your personal information

– The right to correct inaccurate information

– The right to request deletion of your information (subject to legal retention requirements)

– The right to restrict or object to processing

 

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the “Contact Us” section below.

 

 Changes to This Privacy Policy

 

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The date at the top of this policy indicates when it was last revised. We encourage you to review this policy periodically for any changes. Your continued use of our website after changes to this policy constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

 

 Contact Us

 

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:

 

Cook County Probate Court 

Cook County Courthouse 

212 N. Hutchinson Ave. 

Adel, GA 31620 

Phone: (229) 896-3941