Search Echols County Arrest Records

Echols County arrest records can be found through the Sheriff's Office in Statenville. This is one of Georgia's smallest counties with a population of about 4,000 people. Arrest records in Echols County are maintained by local law enforcement and reported to the state through the Georgia Crime Information Center. Whether you need to look up a recent booking or pull older records, the Sheriff's Office in Statenville is your first stop. Here is what you need to know about finding arrest records in Echols County.

Echols County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Randy Courson leads the Echols County Sheriff's Office. This small office handles all law enforcement for the county. The mailing address is PO Box 189, Statenville, GA 31648. Call 229-559-5603 to ask about arrest records or jail bookings. Because Echols County is so small, the sheriff's office handles records requests directly.

Every arrest in Echols County creates a booking record at the county jail. The record has the person's name, charges, arrest date, and arresting officer. These records are stored at the Sheriff's Office. They are public records under Georgia law. You can ask for a copy in person or by mail. Fees may apply for copies.

State Databases for Echols County Records

Even though Echols County is small, all of its arrest records feed into the statewide system run by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBI's Georgia Crime Information Center keeps a criminal history database for every county. When someone is arrested in Echols County, the data goes to the GCIC. This means you can search for Echols County arrest records through state-level tools.

The Georgia Felon Search lets you look up felony convictions statewide. It costs $15 per search. You need the person's first and last name, date of birth, and sex. If there is a felony conviction from Echols County, it will show up here. The search does not cover misdemeanor arrests or cases that were dismissed. For a broader look, the GDC offender search is free and shows anyone in the state prison system.

The screenshot below shows the GBI's criminal history FAQ page, which explains how to get arrest records in Georgia.

This FAQ covers common questions about getting criminal history records that apply to Echols County and all other Georgia counties.

Note: The state criminal history check fee is capped at $15 under Georgia law for Echols County residents.

Getting Arrest Records in Echols County

The most direct way to get arrest records from Echols County is to call or visit the Sheriff's Office. Since the county does not have its own online search portal, phone and in-person requests are the main options. Call 229-559-5603 and ask for the records clerk. Have the full name and approximate date of the arrest ready. This will speed up the search.

You can also file a written request under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70). Send your request to the Echols County Sheriff's Office. Be specific about what records you want. The office has three business days to respond. Initial arrest reports are always public, even if the case is still open. Other investigation records may be held back until the case is closed. Copies may cost a small fee.

For a state-level search, visit the GBI criminal history page. You can get your own record from most sheriff's offices, including the one in Echols County. Bring a valid ID. The GBI also takes requests by mail for attorneys and authorized parties. Send those to CCH/Identification Services, PO Box 370808, Decatur, Georgia 30037.

Echols County Arrest Record Restrictions

Some arrest records in Echols County can be restricted under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. If a case was dismissed, not sent to a grand jury, or ended in a not guilty verdict, the person may apply to have the record sealed. The local agency handles this with the prosecutor's approval. Once sealed, only courts and law enforcement can see it.

Misusing criminal history data is a crime under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38. Getting records through false pretenses can lead to fines up to $5,000 and jail time up to two years. Even careless handling of records can bring a $100 fine. This covers all arrest records, whether they come from Echols County or any other part of Georgia.

Note: Guilty pleas and convictions are not eligible for record restriction in Echols County or anywhere in Georgia.

What Echols County Arrest Records Include

An Echols County arrest record holds standard booking data. This includes the full name, date of birth, and physical description of the person arrested. The record also shows the date and time of arrest, all charges filed, the arresting officer, and bond information. If the case went through court, the final outcome may also be listed.

At the state level, the GCIC record pulls together all arrest data from across Georgia. So if a person was arrested in Echols County and also in another county, both arrests show on the same state record. The Georgia Crime Information Center manages this database and keeps it updated as courts report new outcomes.

Echols County arrest records typically contain:

• Person's name and date of birth
• Physical description and photo if taken
• Charges at the time of booking
• Arresting agency and officer
• Bond amount and release conditions

More Echols County Record Resources

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association has a directory of all sheriffs by county. You can verify the Echols County sheriff's contact info there. The association serves all 159 sheriffs in the state and keeps the list updated.

For people who think someone may be in state custody, the GDC offender search is a free tool. It covers all state prison inmates. If a person from Echols County is serving time in a state facility, this database will show their location and sentence info. You can search by name or GDC ID number.

Cities in Echols County

Statenville is the county seat of Echols County. It is a small community and all arrest records for the area are handled by the county sheriff. There are no cities in Echols County that meet the population threshold for a separate page.

Nearby Counties

Several counties sit next to Echols County in south Georgia. Each one has its own sheriff's office and keeps separate arrest records.