Charlton County Arrest Records

Charlton County arrest records are held at the sheriff's office in Folkston, Georgia. This rural southeast Georgia county has a population near 13,000. Sheriff Robert Phillips manages all bookings, jail operations, and criminal records for Charlton County. Arrest records here are public under state law, and you can request them in person, by phone, or through Georgia's statewide databases. This page walks through the steps for getting arrest records from Charlton County and explains what resources are available at the state level.

Charlton County Sheriff Arrest Data

Sheriff Robert Phillips runs the Charlton County Sheriff's Office at 1548 Third Street, Folkston, GA 31537. This office is the main source for arrest records in the county. Each booking creates a record with the person's name, charges, and arrest details. That data stays on file at the sheriff's office and gets sent to the state system.

Call 912-496-7321 for questions about Charlton County arrest records or to check on someone in the jail. Walk-in visits work during normal hours. Bring a photo ID if you go in person. The staff can look up records by name or booking date. Written requests are best for copies of full arrest reports. Charlton County is small, so the office can usually respond to requests fairly quickly. Older records may need a bit more time to pull from the archives.

Note: Charlton County borders the Okefenokee Swamp area, and some arrests may involve state or federal wildlife enforcement agencies.

State Records for Charlton County Arrests

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation keeps a central criminal history database. Charlton County arrest data flows into this system. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you can inspect your own criminal history record for up to $15. If you find an error, you have 60 days to ask for a correction.

The Georgia Crime Information Center at the GBI collects arrest data from every county in the state. The GCIC uses a network of terminals in police departments, sheriff offices, courts, and jails. Charlton County is part of this network. The GBI FAQ page explains how to request records.

The GAPS fingerprinting system gives the most accurate results for criminal history checks. Fingerprint-based checks beat name-based searches because they confirm identity. The Georgia Felon Search is a name-based tool that costs $15 per query but only covers felony convictions from anywhere in the state, including Charlton County.

Charlton County Offender Search

The GDC offender search covers people in state prison after a Charlton County arrest. Search by name or GDC ID number. Photos appear when on file. The GDC Offender Query form offers a more direct database lookup.

GDC does not guarantee the accuracy of online results. Verify any data by writing to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, getting criminal history information under false pretenses can bring a fine up to $5,000 and imprisonment up to two years.

Charlton County Open Records Access

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, Georgia's Open Records Act makes most public records available for inspection. Charlton County arrest reports are included. Initial arrest reports cannot be withheld, even during active investigations. File a written request with the Charlton County Sheriff's Office for copies.

The office has three business days to respond. Copy fees may apply. Include the name, date range, and type of record you need. If your request is denied, the law lets you challenge the decision. Violations of the Open Records Act carry fines. The first offense is up to $1,000, and repeat violations within 12 months can reach $2,500. Most Charlton County arrest records are straightforward to get because the office is small and the staff know the files well.

Record Restriction in Charlton County

Some Charlton County arrest records qualify for restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Dismissed charges, no bills, and dead docket cases can be sealed from public view. Restricted records are only visible to law enforcement. Guilty dispositions are never eligible.

For arrests before July 1, 2013, write to the Charlton County Sheriff's Office with a fee of up to $50. Later arrests go through the prosecutor. The Georgia Sex Offender Registry and the Sheriffs by County directory are also useful tools for checking Charlton County criminal justice data.

Note: Restricted Charlton County arrest records will not appear in any public search tool, including the Georgia Felon Search.

Nearby Counties

Charlton County borders these counties in southeast Georgia. Arrest records are stored in the county where the booking took place.