>Screven County Arrest Records Online

Screven County, Georgia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Screven County, Georgia?

Arrest records are public documents in Screven County, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that official records maintained by government agencies, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public for inspection and duplication. The statute serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability within the criminal justice system.

The Screven County Sheriff's Office maintains custody of local arrest records and must comply with state disclosure requirements. Under Georgia law, these records remain public unless specifically exempted by statute or sealed by court order. Exemptions typically involve ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure would compromise public safety or individual privacy rights as defined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.

Screven County Sheriff's Office
216 Mims Road
Sylvania, GA 30467
Phone: (912) 564-2013
Screven County, GA

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Screven County?

Screven County arrest records are available through various online platforms in accordance with Georgia's public records provisions. The county participates in the statewide judicial information system, providing digital access to certain arrest documentation through the Georgia Courts portal.

Online accessibility of these records is subject to the following conditions:

Records may not be immediately available online following an arrest
Complete arrest documentation may require supplemental in-person requests
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online versions
Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may have limited availability
Technical limitations may affect the comprehensiveness of online records

The Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, which encompasses Screven County, maintains electronic court records that may include arrest information. These records can be accessed through the E-Access to Court Records system, though users should note that an account registration is typically required for comprehensive searches.

How to Look Up Screven County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Screven County arrest records in 2025 may utilize multiple authorized channels to obtain this information. The following procedures have been established for record retrieval:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the Screven County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM)
Complete the standard records request form, providing the subject's full name and date of birth
Present valid government-issued identification
Pay applicable copying fees ($0.25 per page as of 2025)

Online Access:

Navigate to the Screven County Sheriff's Office records portal via the county website
Access the Georgia Courts E-Access system for judicial records related to arrests
Utilize the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) database for official criminal history information (restricted access may apply)

Written Requests:

Submit a formal written request to the Records Custodian at:

Records Division
Screven County Sheriff's Office
216 Mims Road
Sylvania, GA 30467
Include the subject's identifying information, specific records sought, and requestor contact information
Enclose the appropriate fee payment by check or money order

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, the custodian of records must respond to requests within three business days, either providing the records or citing specific legal grounds for denial or delay.

Contents of a Screven County Arrest Record

Screven County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Georgia Bureau of Investigation protocols and state recordkeeping requirements. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Subject's full legal name and known aliases
Demographic information (date of birth, gender, race)
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory violations and offense descriptions
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Case disposition information, when available
Bond information, including amount and status
Court appearance dates and locations

The comprehensiveness of these records may vary based on case status, with active investigations potentially containing redactions as permitted under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(4). Records are maintained in the Georgia Crime Information Center database and local sheriff's office records management system in accordance with state retention schedules.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Screven County

Under Georgia law, certain individuals may qualify for restriction and sealing of arrest records in Screven County through a process formerly known as expungement. The Georgia Record Restriction law (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37) establishes specific criteria for record restriction eligibility.

Qualifying circumstances for record restriction include:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges
Cases dismissed by the prosecuting attorney
Charges resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdicts)
Arrests resolved through certain pretrial diversion programs
First-offender act dispositions after successful completion of sentence
Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders (under 21 at time of offense)

The restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards eligible requests to the Georgia Crime Information Center. For court-ordered restrictions, petitioners must file with the Superior Court of Screven County:

Screven County Superior Court
216 Mims Road
Sylvania, GA 30467
Phone: (912) 564-2528
Georgia Courts

Applicants should note that record restriction does not eliminate all traces of an arrest. While restricted records are shielded from public view, they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(2).

Legal Implications of Arrest Records in Screven County

Arrest records in Screven County carry significant legal implications for affected individuals. These records, maintained pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, constitute official documentation within the criminal justice system and may impact various aspects of a person's civil status.

The presence of an arrest record may affect:

Employment opportunities, particularly in positions requiring background checks
Professional licensing and certification eligibility
Housing applications and rental agreements
Educational institution admissions and financial aid eligibility
Firearm purchase and possession rights
Immigration status and naturalization proceedings
Child custody and visitation determinations

It is important to distinguish that an arrest record documents only the fact of an arrest and associated charges, not a finding of guilt. Under Georgia law and constitutional principles, all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nevertheless, the practical consequences of arrest records may persist regardless of case outcome.

The Screven County Clerk of Superior Court maintains official court records related to arrests and case dispositions in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 15-6-61. These records are preserved in both physical and electronic formats at:

Screven County Clerk of Superior Court
216 Mims Road
Sylvania, GA 30467
Phone: (912) 564-2528
Georgia Courts E-Access