Search Barrow County Arrest Records
Barrow County arrest records are maintained by the sheriff's office in Winder, Georgia. Located in the Atlanta metro area, Barrow County has around 83,000 residents and sees a higher volume of arrests than many rural counties. The sheriff's office is the central source for all local arrest records, booking logs, and inmate data. You can search for arrest records through the sheriff's office directly or use statewide tools from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. This page covers the key steps for finding arrest record information in Barrow County.
Barrow County Quick Facts
Barrow County Sheriff Arrest Records
Sheriff Jud Smith leads the Barrow County Sheriff's Office at 233 East Broad Street, Winder, GA 30680. The phone number is 770-307-3080. This office handles all arrest records, jail operations, and local law enforcement in Barrow County. As part of the greater Atlanta area, Barrow County processes a steady number of arrests each year.
To look up an arrest record in Barrow County, call the sheriff's office and provide the person's full name and date of birth. Staff can check current jail inmates, recent bookings, and past arrest records. You can also visit the office in Winder for in-person requests. Written requests by mail go to 233 East Broad Street, Winder, GA 30680. The office may charge a fee for copies of arrest records. Response times depend on how busy the office is and how far back the record goes.
| Sheriff | Jud Smith |
|---|---|
| Address | 233 East Broad Street, Winder, GA 30680 |
| Phone | 770-307-3080 |
How to Find Records in Barrow County
The sheriff's office in Winder is the best starting point for Barrow County arrest records. A phone call gets you basic info fast. Walk-in visits let you request copies and see what is on file. For more detailed records, bring ID and the person's full name and date of birth.
State tools cover Barrow County too. The Georgia Crime Information Center at the GBI holds criminal history data from all 159 counties. Every arrest in Barrow County goes into this system. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you can request your own record for a fee of up to $15. The GBI FAQ page explains the process. Contact a local law enforcement agency or the GCIC in Decatur at (404) 244-2639 to get started.
The Georgia Felon Search is another option for checking felony convictions tied to Barrow County. The cost is $15 per search. Only felony convictions show up. Misdemeanors and sealed arrest records are excluded.
Barrow County Jail Booking Records
The Barrow County jail processes all local arrests. When deputies bring someone in, the jail creates a booking record. This includes the name, charges, arrest date, booking photo, and personal details. Bail amounts are set during this process. You can check on inmates by calling 770-307-3080.
For inmates who have moved from the Barrow County jail to a state prison, use the GDC offender search. This covers people in Georgia Department of Corrections facilities. Search by name or GDC ID. The GDC notes that their data may not be fully accurate. Write to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029 to confirm details about anyone from Barrow County in state custody.
The GDC search tool shows basic info and facility locations for Georgia inmates.
Note: People held at the Barrow County jail will not appear in the GDC database until they are transferred to state custody.
Georgia Arrest Laws in Barrow County
Arrest records in Barrow County are subject to the Georgia Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Initial arrest reports must be released to the public. You do not need a reason to ask for them. The Barrow County Sheriff's Office must comply with these requests. Fees for copies should be reasonable.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, getting criminal history records from Barrow County under false pretenses is a crime. Penalties include fines up to $5,000 and up to two years in prison. Even negligent disclosure of arrest data can bring a $100 fine and up to 10 days in jail. Record restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 allows sealing of arrest records when charges were dismissed or never prosecuted. The prosecutor in the Barrow County judicial circuit must approve the request. Guilty outcomes do not qualify for restriction.
State Resources for Barrow County
The GBI website is the hub for state-level arrest record resources. The GBI Criminal History Records team can be reached at (404) 244-2639 or by email at gacriminalhistory@gbi.state.ga.us. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory confirms contact information for the Barrow County Sheriff's Office and all other county sheriffs.
This contact page lists phone numbers for the GBI criminal history team, including TTY and Spanish language lines. The GBI also runs the Georgia Sex Offender Registry under O.C.G.A. § 42-1-12. Payments for criminal history checks go through the GBI Payment Portal.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Barrow County in the Atlanta metro area.