>Jeff Davis County Arrest Records Online

Jeff Davis County, Georgia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Jeff Davis County, Georgia?

Yes, arrest records are public in Jeff Davis County, Georgia. This accessibility is governed by the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), which mandates that all public records, including arrest records, be available for inspection and copying by any member of the public. The statute specifically designates law enforcement records, including arrest reports, incident reports, and booking information, as public records subject to disclosure.

Members of the public seeking arrest records may submit a formal request to the custodian of records at the relevant law enforcement agency. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies must respond to such requests within three business days. If the records cannot be produced within this timeframe, the agency must provide a written description of the records and a timeline for their production.

Certain exceptions to disclosure exist under Georgia law. Records pertaining to pending investigations or prosecutions may be temporarily withheld, and information that would invade personal privacy, compromise security, or reveal confidential informants may be redacted. Juvenile records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Jeff Davis County?

Yes, arrest records can be found online in Jeff Davis County. The Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that provides public access to current and recent arrest information. This digital resource is maintained pursuant to Georgia's commitment to government transparency as codified in the Open Records Act.

The online system typically includes basic arrest information such as:

• Names of arrested individuals • Booking dates • Charges filed • Bond information • Court dates (when available)

For more comprehensive records or historical arrest data not available through the online portal, individuals may need to submit an Open Records request through the county's official channels. The Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with Georgia Records Retention schedules as established by the Georgia Archives and Records Management Division.

Digital access to these records is provided as a public service and does not constitute an official verification of an individual's criminal history. For official background checks or certified records, interested parties should contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC).

How to Look Up Jeff Davis County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Jeff Davis County arrest records, several official channels are available to members of the public. Each method provides access in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Office:

Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Office
14 Jeff Davis Street
Hazlehurst, GA 31539
Phone: (912) 375-6600
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

The Jeff Davis County Clerk of Court maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings:

Jeff Davis County Clerk of Superior Court
14 Jeff Davis Street, Suite 201
Hazlehurst, GA 31539
Phone: (912) 375-6611
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Electronic access is available through the Georgia Courts E-Access portal, which provides a centralized system for searching court records across multiple jurisdictions.
For records dating back more than seven years, the Georgia Department of Archives and History may be contacted:

Georgia Archives
5800 Jonesboro Road
Morrow, GA 30260
Phone: (678) 364-3700
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

When requesting records, individuals must provide sufficient information to identify the specific records sought, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information that may assist in locating the correct records. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c)(1), reasonable fees may be charged for search, retrieval, and copying of records.

Contents of a Jeff Davis County Arrest Record

Jeff Davis County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Georgia law and maintained in accordance with Georgia Bureau of Investigation protocols. These official documents typically include:

• Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases • Unique booking identification number • Date, time, and location of the arrest • Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses • Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) • Law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest • Booking photograph (mugshot) • Fingerprint classification data • Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks • Date of birth and age at time of arrest • Last known residential address • Disposition information (if available) • Bond amount and status • Scheduled court appearance information

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information. Additionally, in accordance with federal HIPAA regulations, any protected health information will be removed before records are released to the public.

The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) maintains the central repository of all arrest fingerprint cards and related information submitted by local law enforcement agencies throughout the state, including Jeff Davis County. This centralized system ensures standardization and accessibility of arrest record information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Jeff Davis County

In Jeff Davis County, the process of restricting or expunging arrest records is governed by O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, which provides specific criteria under which individuals may petition for record restriction. The law distinguishes between arrests that did not result in prosecution or conviction and those that did.

Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Jeff Davis County include:

• Arrests where charges were dismissed or nolle prossed • Cases resulting in acquittal by judge or jury • Arrests where no formal charges were filed within the statute of limitations • First-offender dispositions successfully completed under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60 • Conditional discharge completions under O.C.G.A. § 16-13-2 • Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders (under 21 at time of arrest)

The restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards the request to the prosecuting attorney's office for review. If approved, the Georgia Crime Information Center will restrict the record from public disclosure, though it remains available to law enforcement agencies and for certain employment positions as specified in state law.

For cases not automatically eligible for restriction, individuals may petition the Superior Court of Jeff Davis County:

Jeff Davis County Superior Court
14 Jeff Davis Street
Hazlehurst, GA 31539
Phone: (912) 375-6611
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

The court filing fee for record restriction petitions is approximately $157, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners. The court evaluates petitions based on the nature and severity of the offense, the time elapsed since arrest, the individual's criminal history, and evidence of rehabilitation.