Julie Chrisley’s Atlanta Hearing: What Happened, Where It Took Place, and What Locals Should Know

When people in Atlanta search for “Julie Chrisley Atlanta hearing,” they are usually trying to understand one of three things:

  1. What legal hearings involving Julie Chrisley took place in Atlanta
  2. Where those hearings were held and how the court process works here
  3. How to follow similar high-profile cases or navigate the federal court system in Atlanta

This guide walks through those points in clear, local terms so Atlanta residents and visitors can better understand how a case like this moves through the courts in the city.

Who Is Julie Chrisley and Why Was There an Atlanta Hearing?

Julie Chrisley is best known from the reality TV show Chrisley Knows Best. She and her husband, Todd Chrisley, were charged and later convicted in connection with federal financial crimes, including fraud and tax-related offenses.

Because the charges involved federal law and had ties to the Atlanta area and the Northern District of Georgia, much of the legal activity — including hearings and the trial — took place in downtown Atlanta’s federal court system.

Key points:

  • The case was handled in federal court, not local city or county court.
  • Hearings in Atlanta included pretrial proceedings, the trial itself, and later, appeal-related activity.
  • Federal criminal cases like this generally involve arraignments, motion hearings, jury trials, and sentencing hearings, many of which happen in the same courthouse complex.

Where Did the Julie Chrisley Atlanta Hearings Take Place?

The core Atlanta hearings for Julie Chrisley’s federal case were associated with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, which sits in downtown Atlanta.

Main Federal Courthouse in Atlanta

Most high-profile federal criminal matters for the region, including the Chrisley case, run through:

Richard B. Russell Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse
75 Ted Turner Drive SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main line (general information): (404) 215-1600

This building houses:

  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (Atlanta Division)
  • Clerk’s offices
  • Multiple federal courtrooms where hearings, trials, and sentencings are held

If you ever see coverage of a “federal hearing in Atlanta” involving a well-known figure, it’s very often happening in this building or closely associated federal facilities nearby.

Types of Hearings Involved in a Federal Case Like the Chrisleys’

If you searched “Julie Chrisley Atlanta hearing” to understand what type of hearing it was, here are the main stages that typically occur in a federal case in Atlanta:

1. Initial Appearance and Arraignment

In federal court, after an arrest or formal charging:

  • The defendant appears before a magistrate judge.
  • They are informed of the charges and their rights.
  • Issues like bond or pretrial release are addressed.
  • At an arraignment, the defendant enters a plea (for example, not guilty).

In a case like Julie Chrisley’s, these steps would have taken place in Atlanta’s federal courthouse under the Northern District of Georgia.

2. Pretrial Hearings and Motions

Before a trial, federal cases usually have a series of hearings where:

  • Lawyers file motions (for example, to suppress evidence or dismiss certain counts).
  • The court addresses scheduling, discovery disputes, and procedural issues.
  • Both sides argue about what evidence can be used at trial.

These hearings can stretch across months and almost all occur at the Richard B. Russell Federal Building in Atlanta.

3. Trial in U.S. District Court (Atlanta Division)

For the Chrisleys, the case progressed to a jury trial:

  • A federal judge presided over the case.
  • A jury was selected from the Northern District of Georgia pool, which includes residents from metro Atlanta and surrounding areas.
  • Evidence, witnesses, and cross-examination unfolded over multiple days.

Because this was a high-profile case, local and national media centered attention on the Atlanta federal courthouse during the trial.

4. Sentencing Hearing

After convictions:

  • A separate sentencing hearing was scheduled in Atlanta.
  • The judge considered sentencing guidelines, arguments from both sides, and factors like impact and responsibility.
  • This resulted in federal prison sentences for both Todd and Julie Chrisley.

Sentencing hearings are also held in the same federal courtroom complex.

5. Appeals and Post-Conviction Proceedings

In high-profile federal cases:

  • There may be appeals to a higher federal court.
  • In the Chrisleys’ situation, parts of the case moved into the appeals process beyond the initial Atlanta federal trial.

Appeals for federal cases from Atlanta generally go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, also based in downtown Atlanta:

Elbert P. Tuttle U.S. Court of Appeals Building
56 Forsyth Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Clerk’s Office (general public line): (404) 335-6100

While Julie Chrisley herself might not appear in person for every appeal-related action, legal arguments and decisions related to the appeal are often made in this Atlanta-based court.

How to Follow High-Profile Federal Cases in Atlanta

If you are in Atlanta and want to keep up with a case like the Chrisleys’:

1. Using Official Court Records (PACER and Clerk’s Office)

For federal cases:

  • Case information is maintained electronically in systems like PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).
  • Basic questions can sometimes be directed to the Clerk’s Office of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

U.S. District Court – Northern District of Georgia (Atlanta Division)
Clerk’s Office – Atlanta
75 Ted Turner Drive SW, Room 2211
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main Clerk’s Office: (404) 215-1600

You can ask about:

  • Case numbers
  • Docket access options
  • General public access rules for hearings

The staff cannot give legal advice but can explain procedures, hours, and public access rules.

2. Attending Public Hearings in Atlanta

In general, federal criminal hearings are open to the public, with some exceptions (for example, sealed matters or limited seating):

  • You must go through security screening at the courthouse entrance.
  • Electronic devices may be restricted or prohibited in certain courtrooms.
  • It is important to follow all posted and spoken instructions from court security and staff.

For a case as widely covered as the Chrisleys’, seating could be limited, and the court may restrict cameras or recording.

Understanding the Role of Atlanta in the Chrisley Case

If you are trying to understand why so much of the Julie Chrisley legal storyline references Atlanta, here’s a quick overview framed for local context:

Why Atlanta?

Atlanta is the hub for:

  • The Northern District of Georgia (federal trial-level court)
  • The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals (federal appeals-level court)
  • Numerous federal agencies and prosecutors’ offices, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office serving the region

So when a federal financial crime case has strong ties to Georgia and the Chrisleys’ activities, Atlanta is naturally the central venue for:

  • Indictment and arraignment
  • Trial
  • Sentencing
  • Many appeal-related steps

Key Atlanta Legal Institutions Involved

Here is a simple overview of the main Atlanta entities relevant to a case like Julie Chrisley’s:

InstitutionRole in a Case Like ThisAtlanta Location Highlights
U.S. District Court (N.D. Ga., Atlanta Div.)Handles federal trials, hearings, sentencingsRichard B. Russell Federal Building, 75 Ted Turner Dr SW
U.S. Attorney’s Office (N.D. Ga.)Prosecutes federal crimes on behalf of the U.S. governmentLocated in the same downtown federal complex or nearby offices
Eleventh Circuit Court of AppealsReviews appeals from federal district court decisionsElbert P. Tuttle U.S. Court of Appeals Building, 56 Forsyth St NW
U.S. Probation & Pretrial ServicesSupervises certain defendants before/after sentencingOffices associated with the federal court facilities

For anyone living in Atlanta, these institutions are central to how major federal criminal cases are investigated, tried, and reviewed.

If You Live in Atlanta and Have Court-Related Questions

Searching for “Julie Chrisley Atlanta hearing” might also reflect a broader concern: how to navigate the court system in Atlanta if you or someone you know faces a legal issue. While each case is unique and this is not legal advice, here are some local, practical starting points:

1. Identifying the Right Court

In Atlanta, your matter could be in:

  • Federal court (like the Chrisleys’ case) – usually for federal crimes, multi-state matters, or federal law issues.
  • Fulton County courts – for many local criminal, civil, and family law matters.
  • Municipal court (City of Atlanta Municipal Court) – often for local ordinance violations and traffic-related issues.

If your situation involves:

  • Federal charges or questions about federal crimes → look to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
  • State or local offenses in Atlanta/Fulton County → you may be dealing with Fulton County Superior, State, or Magistrate Court.

2. Contact Points for General Court Information

Here are non-emergency, informational contact points in Atlanta:

U.S. District Court – Northern District of Georgia (Atlanta Division)
75 Ted Turner Drive SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Clerk’s Office: (404) 215-1600

Fulton County Superior Court Clerk (Downtown Atlanta)
136 Pryor Street SW, Suite C-155
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main line: (404) 613-5313

City of Atlanta Municipal Court
150 Garnett Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
General information: (404) 658-6940

These offices can explain where a hearing is scheduled, how to find a courtroom, and how to access basic case records, but they do not provide legal representation.

Media, Privacy, and High-Profile Hearings in Atlanta

High-profile hearings like those involving Julie Chrisley draw attention in Atlanta, and many locals wonder how privacy and access are balanced.

Common patterns in Atlanta federal courts:

  • Public access is allowed, but security and decorum rules are strictly enforced.
  • Media seating may be limited, and special credentials can be required for closer access.
  • Recording and photography are generally restricted in federal courtrooms.
  • Defendants and their families may use separate entrances or common public entrances, depending on security measures in place.

For everyday residents, this means you can typically sit in the gallery during a hearing, but you must:

  • Arrive early for high-interest cases.
  • Expect security screening similar to an airport.
  • Turn off or stow devices, following court rules.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents

If you came here after searching “Julie Chrisley Atlanta hearing,” here’s what matters most from an Atlanta perspective:

  • Julie Chrisley’s major criminal case was handled in federal court in downtown Atlanta, primarily at the Richard B. Russell Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse.
  • Her hearings, trial, and sentencing were part of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, with later legal activity involving the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, also based in Atlanta.
  • For anyone in Atlanta trying to understand or follow similar cases, the main points of contact are the federal courthouse, clerk’s office, and (for appeals) the Eleventh Circuit.
  • Atlanta serves as a central legal hub for significant federal cases in Georgia, which is why high-profile hearings like Julie Chrisley’s are closely tied to the city.

Armed with this context, Atlanta residents and visitors can better understand where these hearings happen, how the process generally works, and where to turn for official, court-related information if they need it.