>Columbia County Arrest Records Online

Columbia County, Georgia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Columbia County, Georgia?

Arrest records are public documents in Columbia County, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that records created, maintained, or received by a public agency in Georgia are available for public inspection. The Georgia Open Records Act specifically includes arrest records among the documents that must be made accessible to the public, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations or records sealed by court order.

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to document law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction. Members of the public seeking arrest information may submit a request to the Records Division of the Sheriff's Office in accordance with established procedures. The public nature of these records serves the dual purpose of ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations and providing citizens with access to information regarding criminal activity within their community.

Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in compliance with privacy laws, particularly details pertaining to victims of certain crimes, juveniles, or information that might compromise ongoing investigations as specified under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Columbia County?

Columbia County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to current and recent arrest information through their official website. This online accessibility is part of the county's commitment to public transparency and efficient information dissemination.

The Inmate Inquiry system allows members of the public to search for individuals currently in custody or recently processed through the county detention facilities. This system is updated regularly to reflect current inmate status and booking information.

Additionally, the Columbia County Clerk of Courts maintains an electronic database of court proceedings, which may include information related to arrests and subsequent judicial actions. Users should note that while basic arrest information is available online, comprehensive criminal history reports typically require formal requests through the Sheriff's Office Records Division.

Online records are provided as a public service; however, pursuant to Georgia law, these electronic records carry the same legal notice as physical records regarding their use for commercial solicitation purposes, which is prohibited under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(20).

How to Look Up Columbia County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing Columbia County arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking this information may utilize the following methods:

Submit a formal records request to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office Records Division located at 2269 County Camp Road, Appling, GA 30802. Requestors must complete the standard Criminal History Consent Form when seeking comprehensive criminal history information.
Visit the Columbia County Sheriff's Office Records Section in person during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM) at either the main office in Appling or the substation at 650 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA 30809.
Access the Columbia County Sheriff's Office online portal for current inmate information and recent arrest data. This resource provides real-time updates on detention facility occupants.
Utilize the Columbia County Clerk of Courts Web Docket to search for court proceedings related to specific arrests. This system contains information on scheduled hearings, case dispositions, and other judicial actions.
Contact the Records Division by telephone at (706) 541-2800 to inquire about the proper procedures for obtaining specific arrest records. Staff members can provide guidance on completing necessary forms and applicable fees.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. The current fee schedule is available at the Sheriff's Office Records Division and on the official county website.

Contents of a Columbia County Arrest Record

Columbia County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Georgia law and departmental policies. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and residential address at the time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest, including the address or geographic coordinates where the apprehension occurred
Detailed enumeration of all charges filed, including the specific Georgia Code sections allegedly violated and the classification of each offense (misdemeanor or felony)
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
Booking information, including the date and time of processing into the detention facility
Custody status, including bond amount if applicable, or notation of release on recognizance
Case number assigned by the arresting agency for administrative tracking purposes
Mugshot photograph taken during the booking process, showing front and profile views of the arrested individual
Fingerprint impressions collected during processing, which are subsequently submitted to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33
Brief narrative description of the circumstances leading to the arrest, as documented by the arresting officer

These records are maintained in both physical and electronic formats by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office Records Division in compliance with Georgia records retention schedules established by the Georgia Archives.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Columbia County

Under Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain individuals may qualify to have their arrest records restricted from public access through a process formerly known as expungement, now termed "record restriction." The Columbia County Superior Court administers this process for eligible cases within its jurisdiction.

Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Columbia County include:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges (nolle prosequi)
Cases dismissed prior to indictment or accusation
Cases where the grand jury returned two no bills
Arrests where the charges were dismissed or nolle prossed after indictment or accusation
Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdicts) by judge or jury
First offender act dispositions successfully completed pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60
Conditional discharge completions under O.C.G.A. § 16-13-2

The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the Columbia County Superior Court Clerk's Office located at 640 Ronald Reagan Drive, Building B, Evans, GA 30809. Applicants must provide certified copies of the final disposition of their case and pay the applicable filing fee, currently set at $25 per case.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility under the statutory criteria. The prosecuting attorney's office receives notification of all restriction requests and may present evidence regarding the petition.

If granted, the restriction order directs the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, the Georgia Crime Information Center, and other agencies to restrict public access to the specified arrest records. However, these restricted records remain available to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(2).

Search Arrest Records in Columbia County

Columbia County Sheriff's Office
2269 County Camp Road
Appling, GA 30802
(706) 541-2800
Official Website

Columbia County Clerk of Courts
640 Ronald Reagan Drive, Building B
Evans, GA 30809
(706) 312-7321
Official Website