Hancock County Arrest Records Lookup
Hancock County arrest records are held by the sheriff's office in Sparta, Georgia. This small central Georgia county has about 8,000 residents, and all arrest data flows through the local sheriff. If you need to find arrest records for someone in Hancock County, the sheriff's office is the place to start. You can call, write, or visit in person to get details on bookings, charges, and custody status. Georgia's statewide criminal history system through the GBI also holds records from Hancock County arrests. Both local and state sources give the public ways to search for this type of information.
Hancock County Quick Facts
Hancock County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff Tomyln Primus leads the Hancock County Sheriff's Office. The office sits at 67 Spring Street, Sparta, GA 31087. Call 706-444-6471 to reach the office. This is the main source for arrest records in Hancock County. Whether you need to check on a current inmate or look into a past arrest, the sheriff's office keeps those records on file.
Hancock County is one of the smaller counties in Georgia. The arrest volume is lower than you would see in more populated areas, but the process for getting records is the same. Give staff the full name and date of birth of the person you want to look up. They can pull the arrest record and let you know what charges are on file. The Hancock County jail handles all local bookings. Each booking creates a record with the person's name, arrest date, charges, and a photo. All of this is public information under Georgia law.
| Sheriff | Tomyln Primus |
|---|---|
| Address | 67 Spring Street, Sparta, GA 31087 |
| Phone | 706-444-6471 |
State Arrest Records for Hancock County
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the statewide criminal history system. Arrest records from Hancock County are sent to the GBI's Georgia Crime Information Center and stored in a central database. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you have the right to request your own criminal history record for a fee of up to $15. This will show arrests from Hancock County and any other county in Georgia. The GBI criminal history FAQ walks through how to make the request.
You can see the GBI's main page below. From there you can get to criminal history services and other tools tied to Hancock County arrest records.
The GCIC also runs the Rapid ID system, which gives officers handheld fingerprint devices. This helps law enforcement in Hancock County confirm identities quickly during stops.
Note: The GCIC lobby office in Decatur takes in-person requests by appointment only, so plan ahead if you need to go in person.
Hancock County Corrections Search
If someone arrested in Hancock County has been moved to a state prison, the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search can track them down. You can search by name, GDC ID, or case number. The tool only covers state inmates. People still at the Hancock County jail will not be in this database. The GDC warns that the data may not be fully accurate, so verify through written correspondence with Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029.
The Georgia Felon Search is a separate state tool. It costs $15 per search and another $15 for detailed results. You need the person's name, date of birth, and sex to run a query. This search only covers felony convictions. Misdemeanor arrests from Hancock County do not show up. Sealed records are excluded too.
Arrest Record Laws in Hancock County
Georgia law protects the public's right to access arrest records. The Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 makes initial arrest reports and incident reports available to anyone. The Hancock County Sheriff's Office must release these records when asked. Only records tied to pending investigations may be held back. Breaking this law is a misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 for a first offense.
O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38 makes it a crime to get arrest records under false pretenses. Fines reach $5,000, and prison time can be up to two years. Even careless release of criminal history data carries a fine of up to $100 and up to 10 days in jail. Record restriction is also possible in Hancock County. Dismissed charges and those that were nolle prossed may be sealed from public view under the terms set out in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Guilty verdicts can never be restricted.
The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory can help you find the right contact for Hancock County or any other county in the state.
Nearby Counties
These counties surround Hancock County. Make sure the arrest happened in Hancock County before requesting records from the Sparta office.