Elbert County Arrest Records

Elbert County arrest records are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Elberton, the county seat. With a population of about 20,000, Elbert County is a rural community in northeast Georgia. All arrest records from local law enforcement end up at the sheriff's office. These records are public and you can search for them through the county or through Georgia's state criminal history system. This page explains how to find, request, and understand arrest records from Elbert County.

Elbert County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Jamie Callaway heads the Elbert County Sheriff's Office at 47 Forest Avenue in Elberton, GA 30635. The phone number is 706-283-2421. This office is the primary source for arrest records in the county. When someone is booked at the Elbert County jail, a record is created that stays on file. You can request copies by calling or visiting the office in person.

The booking process in Elbert County creates a record that documents who was arrested, the charges, the date and time, and the arresting officer's name. Bond information is also part of the record. These arrest records in Elbert County are available to the public under Georgia's open records laws. Some records may be restricted if a court has ordered it or if the case qualifies for restriction under state statute.

How to Find Elbert County Arrest Records

Call the Elbert County Sheriff's Office at 706-283-2421 to start your search. The records clerk can look up arrests by name or date. For walk-in requests, bring your ID and be prepared to wait. The office may charge a small fee for copies of arrest records.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains a statewide criminal history database that includes Elbert County arrest data. You can request your own criminal history through the sheriff's office. They send your fingerprints to the GCIC for a check. The fee is capped at $15 under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37.

The Georgia Felon Search checks for felony convictions tied to a name and date of birth. It costs $15 per search. The GDC offender search is free and shows people in state prison. Both of these tools cover Elbert County cases that led to felony convictions or state prison time.

The screenshot below shows the Georgia Felon Search page, where you can look up felony records that may include Elbert County cases.

This state tool searches felony convictions across all Georgia counties, including Elbert County.

Elbert County Open Records Requests

The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70) gives you the right to ask for arrest records from Elbert County. Send a written request to the Sheriff's Office. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Anyone can make this request. The office has three business days to respond.

Initial arrest reports and incident reports are always public in Elbert County. Even if an investigation is ongoing, the initial arrest report must be made available. Records from closed cases are fully open to the public. If the agency denies your request, they must give you a reason in writing. Violations of the Open Records Act can lead to fines for the agency up to $1,000 for a first offense and $2,500 for repeat violations within a year.

Note: Put your request in writing and be as specific as possible to speed up the process in Elbert County.

Record Restrictions in Elbert County

Certain arrest records in Elbert County can be sealed or restricted. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, people whose charges were dropped, dismissed, or resulted in acquittal can apply to restrict the record. The sheriff's office handles the request, and the prosecutor must approve it. Restricted records are hidden from public view and only law enforcement and courts can access them.

For arrests before July 1, 2013, there is a separate process. The person must file a written request and pay up to $50. Convictions and guilty pleas cannot be restricted. Only specific case outcomes qualify for this in Elbert County. Getting records under false pretenses is a crime under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, with fines up to $5,000 and jail time up to two years.

What Elbert County Arrest Records Show

An arrest record from Elbert County will list the standard booking details. This means the person's full name, date of birth, and a description including height, weight, race, and sex. The record shows all charges at the time of arrest, the date and time of booking, and the arresting officer.

An Elbert County arrest record usually includes:

• Full name and date of birth
• Arrest date, time, and location
• Charges filed
• Arresting officer and agency
• Bond amount and conditions
• Court outcome if the case is closed

The state GCIC record adds more detail by pulling in data from all Georgia counties. If a person has been arrested in both Elbert County and another county, both show up on one statewide record. The Georgia Crime Information Center keeps this database running for all law enforcement across the state.

More Resources for Elbert County

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association lists every sheriff in the state by county. You can use it to verify contact info for the Elbert County Sheriff's Office or find the sheriff in a neighboring county.

For parolee searches, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles has an online tool where you can search by name or GDC ID. If someone from Elbert County was released on parole, their status may show up in that database.

Cities in Elbert County

Elberton is the county seat and largest community in Elbert County. Bowman is another small town in the county. All arrest records for these areas flow through the Elbert County Sheriff's Office. No cities in Elbert County meet the population threshold for a separate page.

Nearby Counties

Elbert County borders several counties in northeast Georgia. Each has its own sheriff's office and arrest record system.