Lowndes County Arrest Records

Lowndes County arrest records are maintained by the sheriff's office in Valdosta, Georgia. This is one of the larger counties in south Georgia with a population of about 120,000. Valdosta is the county seat and home to Valdosta State University. The sheriff's office handles all bookings, jail intake, and criminal record requests for the county. You can search for Lowndes County arrest records by phone, in person, or through statewide databases run by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Lowndes County Sheriff's Office Records

Sheriff Ashley Paulk leads the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office. This is the primary source for arrest records in the county. The office runs the county jail, processes bookings, and responds to records requests. Lowndes County handles a high volume of arrests compared to many south Georgia counties because of the Valdosta area population.

The mailing address is PO Box 667, Valdosta, GA 31603. Call 229-671-2900 to ask about an arrest record or check on an inmate in the Lowndes County jail. You can also go in person during business hours. Bring your ID and the full name of the person you are looking for. Date of birth is helpful too. Staff can search arrest records by name or booking date. For older files in Lowndes County, a written request may be needed, and the response time will depend on how far back the record goes.

The sheriff's office also works with the Valdosta Police Department on cases that cross city and county lines. If you are not sure which agency handled an arrest, the sheriff's office can help you figure it out.

State Databases for Lowndes County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the statewide criminal history system through the Georgia Crime Information Center. This database includes arrest records from all 159 counties. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, any person can ask to see their own criminal history for up to $15. This covers Lowndes County arrests and records from every other county.

If you find errors in your record, you have 60 days to challenge them. The GBI FAQ page explains the process for getting records, what they contain, and how to request corrections. Mail your request to CCH/Identification Services, P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, Georgia 30037. Pay fees through the GBI Payment Portal.

Lowndes County Jail and Inmate Data

The Lowndes County jail processes all local arrests. Booking records include the name, charges, date, and a mugshot. These records are public in Georgia. Call 229-671-2900 to check on current inmates. Staff can give you charge and bail info.

For people who moved from the Lowndes County jail to a state prison, the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search is the right tool. Search by name or GDC ID. The tool shows current facility and basic case details. It only covers state prison inmates, not people still held at the county level. The Georgia Felon Search checks felony convictions for $15 per search. You need a name, date of birth, and sex. It will not display Lowndes County misdemeanor arrests or restricted records.

Note: Verify GDC info by writing to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029 before relying on it.

Arrest Record Laws in Lowndes County

The Georgia Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 protects public access to arrest records. Initial arrest reports from the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office must be shared with anyone who requests them. Pending investigation files can be withheld, but the arrest report itself is always public. The office has three business days to answer a written open records request. Copy fees may apply.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, requesting criminal history records under false pretenses is a crime in Georgia. The fine goes up to $5,000 with possible prison time. Record restriction is available for some Lowndes County arrest charges that ended in a dismissal or no bill. Guilty results never qualify for restriction. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association can help you connect with Sheriff Paulk if you have questions about the process.

Cities in Lowndes County

Lowndes County includes Valdosta, Hahira, Lake Park, Remerton, and Dasher. Valdosta is by far the largest city and is covered on its own page.

Other communities in Lowndes County include Hahira, Lake Park, and Remerton. All local arrest records are handled by the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office or the Valdosta Police Department depending on where the arrest took place.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lowndes County. Arrest records are stored by the county where the booking happened.