Search Coffee County Arrest Records

Coffee County arrest records are available through the sheriff's office in Douglas, Georgia. This south-central Georgia county has about 43,000 residents. Sheriff Fred Cole manages all bookings, jail operations, and criminal record access for Coffee County. Arrest records here are public documents under Georgia law. You can get them through the sheriff's office, through the GBI's statewide criminal history system, or by filing an open records request. Below is a complete guide to each option for searching Coffee County arrest records.

Coffee County Sheriff's Office Records

Sheriff Fred Cole runs the Coffee County Sheriff's Office at 825 Thompson Drive, Douglas, GA 31535. This is the main source for arrest records in Coffee County. All jail bookings create a record with the person's name, charges, arrest date, and booking details. The data stays in the local system and also gets sent to the state through the GCIC network.

Call 912-384-4227 for questions about a Coffee County arrest record or to check on someone in the jail. Walk-in visits are accepted during regular business hours. Bring a photo ID. Staff can look up records by name or booking date. For copies of full arrest reports, a written request is the best approach. Include the person's name, date of birth, and any other details you have. Coffee County processes a moderate volume of bookings for a county its size.

Note: Coffee County is home to a state prison facility, but those inmates are in the GDC system and not part of the county's local arrest records.

State Criminal History for Coffee County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the central criminal history database for the state. Coffee County arrest data feeds into this system. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, any person can inspect their own criminal history for up to $15. This record includes any Coffee County arrests on file. You get 60 days to challenge errors.

The GBI FAQ page walks through the process. Start with the Coffee County Sheriff's Office for local records. The GBI also runs the GAPS fingerprinting system for the most accurate arrest record verification. The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per query and only returns felony convictions. Coffee County misdemeanor arrests do not show in this tool.

Coffee County Offender Lookup

The GDC Find Offender page covers anyone sentenced to state prison after a Coffee County arrest. Search by name or GDC ID number. Results show current facility location and photos when on file.

For a direct database lookup, use the GDC Offender Query form. GDC does not guarantee accuracy. Verify through Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, getting criminal records under false pretenses brings fines up to $5,000.

Open Records in Coffee County

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, Georgia's Open Records Act opens government records to public inspection. Coffee County arrest reports are included. Initial arrest reports are not exempt from disclosure. File a written request with the Coffee County Sheriff's Office to get copies.

The office must respond within three business days. Copy fees may apply. Be specific about what records you need. Include the person's name and a date range. Records from pending investigations may have some details held back, but the initial Coffee County arrest report is always available. Violations of the Open Records Act carry fines up to $1,000 for the first offense and up to $2,500 for repeat violations within a year.

Record Restriction in Coffee County

Certain Coffee County arrest records may qualify for restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Dismissed charges, no bills, and dead docket cases can be sealed. Restricted records become invisible to the public. Only law enforcement can see them.

For Coffee County arrests before July 1, 2013, apply through the sheriff's office with a fee up to $50. Later arrests require going through the prosecutor. Guilty dispositions cannot be restricted. The GCIC processes restrictions after local approval. The Georgia Sex Offender Registry tracks registered offenders in Coffee County.

Note: Coffee County restriction requests go through the GCIC after the local authority gives approval.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Coffee County in south-central Georgia. Arrest records stay in the county where the person was booked.