Candler County Arrest Records Lookup

Candler County arrest records are managed by the sheriff's office in Metter, Georgia. With a population near 11,000, Candler County is a rural county in east-central Georgia. Sheriff John Miles handles all bookings, jail operations, and arrest record keeping for the area. Public access to arrest records in Candler County is governed by state law, and most initial arrest reports can be viewed by anyone. Whether you want to check on a recent booking or look up an older case, several options exist for getting arrest records from Candler County.

Candler County Sheriff Arrest Data

The Candler County Sheriff's Office is the first stop for anyone looking for local arrest records. Sheriff John Miles runs the office and oversees the county jail. Every arrest in Candler County creates a booking record that includes the person's name, charges, date of arrest, and personal details. These records are stored at the sheriff's office and also sent to the state system.

The office address is PO Box 693, Metter, GA 30439. Call 912-685-2568 to ask about arrest records or check on someone in the Candler County Jail. If you visit in person, bring a photo ID. Staff can search records by name or date. For written requests, include as much detail as you can about the person or case you need. Candler County is a small department, so response times for records requests are usually reasonable.

Candler County arrest records go back many years in the sheriff's files. Older records may take more time to find.

State Criminal History for Candler County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the central criminal history database for the state. This database includes arrest records from Candler County. The Georgia Crime Information Center at the GBI collects data from local agencies and ties it all together in one system. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you can inspect your own criminal history for a fee of up to $15.

Contact the GBI at (404) 244-2639 for questions about criminal history that may include Candler County arrests. Their criminal history FAQ page covers common questions about the process. You can also email gacriminalhistory@gbi.state.ga.us for help.

The GCIC page explains how the statewide criminal justice information system works, including how Candler County arrest data feeds into it. More than 600 agencies report arrest data to the GBI each month through the Uniform Crime Reporting program.

Note: Fingerprint-based checks through GAPS are the most accurate way to verify a Candler County arrest record.

Candler County Offender Search

When a Candler County arrest ends in a state prison sentence, the Georgia Department of Corrections takes over. The GDC offender search lets you find inmates by name or ID number. This covers anyone from Candler County who is currently in a GDC facility. Photos are shown when available.

The GDC site links to inmate search tools and family services. For a more direct query, the GDC Offender Query form gives you a streamlined way to look up offenders. Always verify info through written correspondence with GDC Inmate Records before relying on it. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, getting criminal history data under false pretenses can result in fines up to $5,000 and up to two years in prison.

Open Records in Candler County

Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 gives the public broad access to government records. Initial arrest reports in Candler County are public documents. You can ask the sheriff's office for copies of arrest reports, booking logs, and related documents. Put your request in writing for best results.

The sheriff's office must respond within three business days. They can charge for copies. Pending investigation records may be held back, but the initial Candler County arrest report is always available. Violations of the Open Records Act carry penalties. A first offense can bring a fine up to $1,000, and repeat violations within 12 months can cost up to $2,500.

Candler County Record Restriction

Some arrest records in Candler County may be eligible for restriction. If charges were dismissed or not prosecuted, the arrest record can be sealed under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Restricted records are only visible to law enforcement. For arrests before July 1, 2013, apply to the Candler County Sheriff's Office with a fee of up to $50. Arrests after that date require going through the prosecutor.

Guilty verdicts cannot be restricted. The Georgia Felon Search only shows felony convictions and costs $15 per search. Sealed or restricted Candler County arrest records will not appear in that system.

Note: The GCIC handles the actual sealing of restricted Candler County arrest records after local approval.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Candler County. Arrest records are kept where the booking took place, so check the correct county if you are not sure about the location of an arrest.