Find Arrest Records in Bacon County

Bacon County arrest records are available through the sheriff's office in Alma, Georgia. The sheriff handles all arrest record requests for this county. Records cover charges, booking dates, and personal details for anyone arrested by local law enforcement. Bacon County is a rural area in southeast Georgia with about 11,000 residents. The sheriff's office is the main custodian of these records at the local level. You can also search statewide databases through the GBI for arrest data linked to Bacon County. Both options give you access to public arrest information.

Bacon County Sheriff Arrest Records

Sheriff Andy Batten oversees the Bacon County Sheriff's Office at 307 Dixon Street, Alma, GA 31510. His office is responsible for keeping arrest records, running the county jail, and providing law enforcement across Bacon County. Call 912-632-2658 to ask about arrest records or check on someone in custody. The office handles requests during normal business hours.

Every arrest in Bacon County creates a record in the sheriff's system. These records include the name of the person arrested, the charges, the date and time, and the arresting officer. Booking photos are also taken at the jail. To get a copy of an arrest record from Bacon County, provide the person's full name and date of birth. A case number or arrest date helps speed things up. Written requests can be mailed to 307 Dixon Street, Alma, GA 31510. The sheriff's office may charge a small fee for copies.

Searching Bacon County Arrest Data

Phone calls are the quickest way to get arrest information from Bacon County. Call the sheriff's office and ask about the person you need to look up. For more detailed records, visit in person. The staff in Alma can pull up files and make copies while you wait.

State databases are another path. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the central criminal history database through the Georgia Crime Information Center. Arrest data from Bacon County is part of this system. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, a person can request their own criminal history for up to $15. The record includes arrest data from all Georgia counties, not just Bacon. You can start by reading the GBI FAQ page to understand the process.

This FAQ page covers questions about getting your own record, record restriction, and attorney requests.

Bacon County Jail Records

The Bacon County jail processes all local arrests. Booking records are generated each time someone is brought in. These records are public. You can call the jail at 912-632-2658 to ask about current inmates, charges, and bond amounts.

If an inmate from Bacon County has been transferred to the Georgia Department of Corrections, you can use the GDC offender search. This tool covers people in state prisons. Search by name, GDC ID, or case number. The GDC makes clear that the data may not be fully accurate, so you should verify anything important by writing to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles also runs a parolee search tool where you can check if someone from Bacon County is on parole.

Note: The GDC search only covers state facilities and does not include people held at the Bacon County jail.

Georgia Arrest Laws in Bacon County

Arrest records in Bacon County fall under Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. The law says that initial arrest reports must be made available to the public. Anyone can request these records from the Bacon County Sheriff's Office. The office cannot charge more than a reasonable fee for copies. Pending investigations may be kept private, but the initial arrest report is always open.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, using false pretenses to get criminal history data from Bacon County or any Georgia agency is a crime punishable by up to $5,000 in fines and two years in prison. Record restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 lets people seal certain arrest records if the charges were dropped, dismissed, or never brought to a grand jury. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory can help you confirm the right contact for Bacon County to start the restriction process.

Get Copies of Bacon County Records

You have several options for getting arrest records from Bacon County. The Georgia Felon Search is a state-run tool that checks for felony convictions. It costs $15 per search, plus $15 more to view details. This only covers felonies. For full arrest records that include misdemeanors, go through the Bacon County Sheriff's Office directly.

The GBI handles statewide requests through the GCIC. Send written requests to CCH/Identification Services, P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, Georgia 30037. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days. Fees go through the GBI Payment Portal. Attorneys can request client records by faxing the GCIC at (404) 270-8386 under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34. Private investigators must have a letter from an attorney to make the same request for Bacon County records.

Nearby Counties

These counties surround Bacon County in southeast Georgia.