Newton County Arrest Records

Newton County arrest records are filed through the sheriff's office in Covington, Georgia. This fast-growing Atlanta suburb has about 115,000 residents, and the volume of arrest data reflects that growth. Sheriff Ezell Brown oversees all bookings and jail operations in Newton County. You can look up arrest records by contacting the office directly, visiting in person, or searching through Georgia's statewide criminal history tools. Public access to initial arrest reports is protected under state law, so most booking records are open for anyone to check.

Newton County Sheriff's Office Records

Sheriff Ezell Brown heads the Newton County Sheriff's Office at 15151 Alcovy Road NE, Covington, GA 30014. This is the primary office for all arrest records in the county. Staff handle bookings, manage the jail, and process records requests from the public. Newton County has seen steady population growth over the past decade, and the sheriff's office has had to keep pace with a rising number of arrests and intake logs each year.

Call 678-625-1400 to ask about a Newton County arrest record. You can also visit during normal hours. Bring your ID and any details you have about the person or the arrest date. Staff will search by name or booking number. If you need a copy of the arrest report, they can print one for you. Older records may need a written request. Newton County stores archived arrest records off-site in some cases, so plan for a longer wait if the file is more than a few years old.

State Search Tools for Newton County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation keeps a central criminal history database. It includes Newton County arrest records that local law enforcement sends to the state. The GBI's Georgia Crime Information Center processes this data and makes it available for authorized searches. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you can request your own Georgia criminal history for a fee of up to $15. That record would show any Newton County arrests on file with the state.

The GBI criminal history FAQ walks through the steps for getting records from any county in Georgia, including Newton.

The Georgia Felon Search is a $15 tool that checks for felony convictions. It will not return misdemeanor arrests from Newton County. You need the person's name, date of birth, and sex. This is a name-based system, so fingerprint comparison is the only way to get an exact match. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, requesting criminal history under false pretenses carries penalties of up to $5,000 in fines and up to two years in prison.

Newton County Inmate and Offender Lookup

If someone arrested in Newton County was sentenced to state prison, the Georgia Department of Corrections tracks them. The GDC Find Offender page lets you search by name or GDC ID number. It shows the facility where a person is being held, along with a photo and basic case info. A disclaimer must be accepted before using the search.

This tool is helpful when a Newton County arrest led to a long-term sentence. You can also use the GDC Offender Query form for a direct database search. The department warns that data may not be fully up to date. For verified info about any Newton County case that ended in state prison, write to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029.

Note: The GDC search only covers state prison inmates, not people held at the Newton County jail on local charges.

Newton County Open Records Requests

Under Georgia's Open Records Act, most government records are open to the public. This includes arrest records at the Newton County Sheriff's Office. Initial arrest reports and booking logs are not exempt. You can file an open records request to get copies of these documents from Newton County law enforcement.

Submit your request in writing. Be specific about what you want. Include names, dates, or case numbers if you have them. The office must respond within three business days. They can charge a reasonable fee for copies and staff time. Some records tied to active investigations may be held back temporarily, but the initial arrest report is always available in Newton County. If your request is denied, you can challenge the decision. Violations of the Open Records Act may result in fines of up to $1,000 for a first offense, and $2,500 for repeat violations within a year.

Restricting Arrest Records in Newton County

Certain Newton County arrest records can be sealed from public access. This happens when charges end in a dismissal, nolle prosequi, or dead docket. Once the record is restricted, only law enforcement and court officials can see it. The general public loses access through standard search tools.

If your arrest was before July 1, 2013, you apply in writing to the Newton County Sheriff's Office with a fee of up to $50. For more recent arrests, the local prosecutor handles the process. Convictions and guilty pleas do not qualify for restriction in Newton County. The GCIC seals the record once everything is approved. To get started, call 678-625-1400 and ask the staff about how restriction works for your specific Newton County arrest.

Newton County Criminal Justice Registries

State-level registries may include individuals originally arrested in Newton County. The Georgia Sex Offender Registry is free to search. It shows photos, home addresses, and offense data for convicted sex offenders across the state. You can search by name or check a specific area in Newton County to see who is listed.

The Georgia Sheriffs by County directory has contact info for Sheriff Ezell Brown and every other Georgia sheriff. This is a quick way to reach the Newton County office or any nearby county to ask about arrest records. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association keeps this list current.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Newton County. If you are not sure where an arrest took place, check the booking location. Arrest records stay with the county where the person was processed.