Clinch County Arrest Records

Clinch County arrest records are maintained at the sheriff's office in Homerville, Georgia. This south Georgia county has about 7,000 residents. Sheriff Raymond Peterson handles bookings, the county jail, and records access. Arrest records in Clinch County are public under Georgia law. You can request them through the sheriff's office, through state databases operated by the GBI, or by filing an open records request. This page explains the main ways to access Clinch County arrest records and what Georgia law says about public access.

Clinch County Sheriff Arrest Records

Sheriff Raymond Peterson runs the Clinch County Sheriff's Office at 115 Court Square, Homerville, GA 31634. This office is the primary source for arrest records in the county. Every booking creates a record that includes the arrested person's name, charges, date of arrest, and other details. The data stays on file at the sheriff's office and gets reported to the state.

Call 912-487-5316 to ask about a Clinch County arrest record or check on a jail inmate. You can visit in person during business hours with a photo ID. Staff search by name or date. For copies of arrest reports, a written request with as much detail as possible works best. Clinch County is a small department, so response times tend to be reasonable for most records requests.

Georgia State Arrest Records for Clinch County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation operates the central criminal history database. Clinch County arrest records feed into this system. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, any person can request their own criminal history for up to $15. This includes all Clinch County arrests in the state system. You get 60 days to challenge any errors you find.

The GBI criminal history contact page has all phone numbers and email addresses for questions. The primary number is (404) 244-2639. The FAQ page explains the full process. Start with the Clinch County Sheriff's Office for local requests.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per search. It only shows felony convictions. Misdemeanor arrests from Clinch County will not appear. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, getting records under false pretenses carries a fine up to $5,000 and up to two years in prison.

Note: Clinch County borders Florida, and some criminal cases may involve cross-state coordination between Georgia and Florida agencies.

Clinch County Offender Lookup

The GDC Find Offender page covers people in state prison after a Clinch County arrest. Search by name or GDC ID. Photos show when on file. The GDC Offender Query form is a direct way to search the database.

GDC does not guarantee accuracy. Verify any info by writing to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029. The GDC site also links to family services info for people with relatives in Georgia state facilities.

Open Records in Clinch County

Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 makes government records available to the public. Clinch County arrest reports are included. Initial arrest reports cannot be withheld. File a written request with the sheriff's office for copies of booking logs, arrest reports, or incident records.

The office has three business days to respond. Copy fees may apply. Be specific about what you need. Violations of the Open Records Act can bring a fine up to $1,000 for the first offense and up to $2,500 for repeat violations within 12 months.

Record Restriction in Clinch County

Some Clinch 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 access. Once restricted, only law enforcement can see the record.

For arrests before July 1, 2013, write to the Clinch County Sheriff's Office with a fee of up to $50. Later arrests go through the prosecutor. Guilty verdicts are never eligible. The GCIC handles the actual restriction processing. The Sheriffs by County directory can help you find the right contact in Clinch County.

Note: Restricted Clinch County arrest records are invisible in all public search tools after the GCIC processes the restriction.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clinch County in south Georgia. Arrest records stay in the county where the booking happened.