Find Arrest Records in Heard County
Heard County arrest records are available from the sheriff's office in Franklin, Georgia. This rural west Georgia county has about 11,000 residents, and the sheriff handles all local law enforcement and record keeping. Anyone who needs to find an arrest record, check on an inmate, or look into a past booking in Heard County starts at the sheriff's office. Arrest records include charges, booking dates, and personal details for people taken into custody. The GBI's statewide criminal history database also holds Heard County arrest data, which gives you a second path for getting these records.
Heard County Quick Facts
Heard County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records
Sheriff Ross Henry runs the Heard County Sheriff's Office. The mailing address is PO Box 339, Franklin, GA 30217. The phone number is 706-675-3329. All arrest records for Heard County are processed and stored at this office. When a deputy makes an arrest, the person is brought to the county jail for booking. A record is created with the person's name, charges, arrest date, and photo.
Heard County is a smaller community. The pace of arrests is lower here than in metro areas, but the record-keeping process is the same. Call the office at 706-675-3329 and ask about the person by name and date of birth. Staff can tell you if someone is being held and what the charges look like. Walk-in visits to the Franklin office work during regular hours. If you need records from years ago, it may take a few extra days. The sheriff's office reports all arrest data to the GCIC, so Heard County records show up in the state system.
| Sheriff | Ross Henry |
|---|---|
| Address | PO Box 339, Franklin, GA 30217 |
| Phone | 706-675-3329 |
Note: The Heard County Sheriff's Office sends arrest data to the state system, so records also appear in the GCIC database.
Georgia Criminal History for Heard County
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the statewide criminal history system. The Georgia Crime Information Center holds arrest records from every county, including Heard. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, anyone can inspect their own Georgia criminal history record for a fee of up to $15. The record covers arrests from Heard County and everywhere else in the state. You get 60 days to ask for corrections if the data is wrong.
The GBI criminal history FAQ explains the process step by step. Most people start at the local sheriff's office. You can also mail requests to CCH/Identification Services, P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, Georgia 30037.
The GCIC page details the Criminal Justice Information System network that links agencies across Georgia, including those in Heard County.
Heard County Online Search Tools
If someone arrested in Heard County has been moved to a state prison, the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search can help you find them. Search by name, GDC ID, or case number. The tool only covers state facility inmates. People still at the Heard County jail will not be in the GDC database.
The Georgia Felon Search is a separate tool that costs $15 per query. It covers felony convictions only. Misdemeanor arrests from Heard County will not show. You need a first name, last name, date of birth, and sex to run the search. Results are name-based and exact identification needs fingerprint comparison. Sealed records are excluded from this tool.
Note: The GDC offender search requires you to accept a disclaimer and verify results in writing before relying on them.
Arrest Record Laws in Heard County
Georgia law protects the right to access arrest records. Under the Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, initial arrest reports must be released to anyone who asks. This applies to the Heard County Sheriff's Office and every other law enforcement agency in the state. Pending investigations may be exempt, but the initial arrest report is always public. Violations of the Open Records Act carry fines up to $1,000 for first offenses.
O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38 makes it a crime to request criminal history records under false pretenses. The penalty includes a fine up to $5,000 and up to two years in prison. Record restriction is an option in Heard County for dismissed charges and other qualifying outcomes. Guilty verdicts are never eligible for restriction. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory lists every county sheriff for quick contact.
Nearby Counties
Heard County borders these west Georgia counties. Check the address of the arrest to confirm the right county.