Search Chatham County Arrest Records

Chatham County arrest records are available through the sheriff's office in Savannah, Georgia. With roughly 295,000 residents, Chatham County is one of the most populated counties in the state and home to Georgia's oldest city. Sheriff Richard Coleman oversees jail bookings, arrest record storage, and public records access for the county. You can look up Chatham County arrest records using the sheriff's office, state criminal history databases, or the Georgia Open Records Act. This guide explains each method and what to expect.

Chatham County Sheriff's Office Records

Sheriff Richard Coleman leads the Chatham County Sheriff's Office. The mailing address is PO Box 10026, Savannah, GA 31412. This is where all arrest records in Chatham County start. When someone is booked into the Chatham County Detention Center, the sheriff's office creates a record with the person's name, charges, booking time, and personal details. That record stays on file locally and also gets reported to the state through the GCIC system.

Call 912-652-7600 to check on a current inmate or ask about a Chatham County arrest record. The office handles a high volume of bookings because of the county's large population and the activity in the Savannah metro area. Walk-in visits are accepted during business hours if you bring a valid ID. Phone inquiries work for basic info like current inmates and recent bookings. For copies of full arrest reports, a written request is the best route. Include the person's full name, date of birth, and any other details you have.

Chatham County processes more arrests than most Georgia counties due to its size. The jail sees a steady flow of bookings from the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department, the sheriff's office, and other local agencies.

Note: Chatham County arrest records from the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police may also be available through their department directly.

Georgia Criminal History for Chatham County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the statewide criminal history system that includes Chatham County arrest records. The GBI's Crime Information Center collects arrest data from all 159 counties. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, any person can request their own criminal history record for up to $15. This would show all Chatham County arrests on file with the state.

The GBI site links to all criminal history services, including the sex offender registry and crime data reports. The criminal history FAQ explains how to get your record. Start by contacting local law enforcement. For Chatham County, that means the sheriff's office in Savannah. The GCIC lobby office in Decatur handles in-person requests by appointment only at (404) 244-2639.

For felony conviction checks, the Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per query. It only shows felony convictions. Misdemeanor arrests from Chatham County do not appear in this tool. You pay whether or not a match is found.

Chatham County Offender Lookup

Anyone sentenced to state prison after a Chatham County arrest ends up in the Georgia Department of Corrections system. The GDC Find Offender page lets you search by name or GDC ID. Photos display when available. You must agree to a disclaimer before searching.

Use the GDC Offender Query form for a direct database search. Results show current facility, basic identifying info, and case data. GDC does not guarantee accuracy. Verify by writing to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029. This applies to anyone originally arrested in Chatham County and later sentenced to a state facility.

Open Records Requests in Chatham County

Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 gives the public the right to inspect government records. Chatham County arrest reports fall under this law. Initial arrest reports are specifically not exempt from disclosure. Even if a case is under active investigation, the initial arrest report must be released.

Submit a written request to the Chatham County Sheriff's Office. Be specific about what records you need. Include the person's name, a date range, and the type of record. The office must respond within three business days. Fees for copies are allowed. Given Chatham County's size, large requests may take more time to process. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, requesting arrest records under false pretenses is punishable by a fine up to $5,000 and up to two years in prison.

Note: Chatham County processes a high volume of open records requests due to the population and media activity in the Savannah area.

Chatham County Record Restriction

Certain Chatham County arrest records can be restricted under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Charges that were dismissed, not presented to a grand jury, or placed on a dead docket may qualify. Restricted records are visible only to criminal justice agencies. The public cannot access them.

For Chatham County arrests before July 1, 2013, apply through the sheriff's office with a fee of up to $50. Later arrests go through the prosecutor's office. Guilty dispositions are never eligible for restriction. The GCIC processes the restriction once it gets local approval. If you want to know whether a Chatham County arrest qualifies, call the sheriff's office at 912-652-7600 or consult a local attorney.

Chatham County Criminal Registries

The Georgia Sex Offender Registry tracks registered sex offenders living in or near Chatham County. The search is free and shows photos, addresses, and offense details. Given Chatham County's large population, a significant number of registered offenders live in the Savannah area.

The GBI also collects crime statistics from agencies across the state. The Uniform Crime Reporting program gets monthly data from more than 600 law enforcement agencies, including those in Chatham County. This data tracks arrest trends and crime patterns. The Sheriffs by County directory lists contact info for Sheriff Richard Coleman and all other Georgia sheriffs.

Cities in Chatham County

Chatham County includes Savannah and several surrounding communities. All arrest records for the county route through the sheriff's office. These cities have their own police departments, but county-level booking data is managed by Sheriff Coleman's office.

Other communities in Chatham County include Garden City, Tybee Island, Bloomingdale, Port Wentworth, and Thunderbolt. Arrest records for all of these areas can be found through the Chatham County Sheriff's Office.

Nearby Counties

Chatham County borders these counties along Georgia's coast. Arrest records are kept in the county where the booking took place.