Putnam County Arrest Records Search

Putnam County arrest records are filed through the sheriff's office in Eatonton, Georgia. This central Georgia county near Lake Oconee has about 22,000 residents. Sheriff Howard Sills manages all jail bookings, criminal records, and inmate operations for Putnam County. Arrest data is stored at the sheriff's office and also reported to the Georgia Crime Information Center. You can access records by phone, in person at the Eatonton office, or through statewide databases that pull from all 159 Georgia counties.

Putnam County Sheriff's Office Records

Sheriff Howard Sills heads the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. The mailing address is PO Box 3637, Eatonton, GA 31024, and the phone number is 706-485-8557. This office is the primary location for arrest records in the county. Staff process bookings, manage the jail, and handle public requests for criminal records. Putnam County is home to Lake Oconee and draws visitors year-round, which can add seasonal activity to the sheriff's workload.

You can visit the office during business hours to request Putnam County arrest records. Bring a valid ID and the name of the person you want to search. A booking date or case number makes the process go faster. Staff will search their system and can print copies. For records older than a few years, a written request is often the better route. The office may charge a small fee for copies based on how many pages you need. Turnaround is generally quick in Putnam County given the size of the population.

Georgia State Databases for Putnam County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the state criminal history system. Putnam County arrest records feed into this database through the GCIC. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you have the right to request your own criminal history for up to $15. That would include any Putnam County arrests on file. If you find an error, you can challenge it within 60 days.

The GBI criminal history FAQ explains the full process for requesting records from any Georgia county.

The Georgia Felon Search is a $15 tool that checks for felony convictions. It does not cover misdemeanor arrest records from Putnam County. You need the person's name, date of birth, and sex. This is a name-based system, and only fingerprint comparison can confirm an exact match. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, requesting criminal records under false pretenses carries fines of up to $5,000 and possible jail time.

Putnam County Offender Lookup

If someone arrested in Putnam County was sentenced to state prison, the Georgia Department of Corrections has them on file. The GDC Find Offender page lets you search by name or GDC ID. Results show the facility where the person is held, a photo when available, and basic case details.

The GDC Offender Query form offers a direct path into the database. GDC cautions that data may not be fully current. For verified details about a Putnam County arrest that led to state prison, write to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029. That is the surest way to confirm case details from the department.

Putnam County Open Records Access

Under Georgia's Open Records Act, most government records are open to the public. That includes arrest records at the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. Initial arrest reports are not exempt, and anyone can file a request to see or copy them.

Submit your request in writing to the sheriff's office. Include names, dates, and any other details that help narrow the search. The office has three business days to respond. They may charge a reasonable fee for copies. Records tied to active cases may be partially withheld, but the initial arrest report is always available in Putnam County. If a request is denied without good reason, the law lets you challenge it. Open Records Act violations carry fines up to $1,000 for a first offense and $2,500 for additional violations in the same year.

Note: Putnam County sees seasonal population increases around the Lake Oconee area, which can affect the volume of arrest records filed each year.

Restricting Arrest Records in Putnam County

Some Putnam County arrest records qualify for restriction. This applies to charges that ended in dismissal, nolle prosequi, or dead docket. Once restricted, only criminal justice agencies and courts can view the record. Public access is cut off through normal search channels.

For arrests before July 1, 2013, apply in writing to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. The fee is up to $50. More recent arrests go through the local prosecutor. Convictions and guilty pleas are never eligible for restriction in Putnam County or anywhere in Georgia. The GCIC seals the record after the request is approved. Call 706-485-8557 to ask about how the process works for your specific Putnam County arrest record.

Putnam County Criminal Registries

The Georgia Sex Offender Registry may list offenders originally arrested in Putnam County. This free tool shows names, photos, home addresses, and offense details. Search by name or check the Eatonton and Lake Oconee areas for registered offenders in Putnam County.

The Georgia Sheriffs by County directory has contact info for Sheriff Howard Sills and every other Georgia sheriff. It is a quick reference when you need to reach the Putnam County office or look up a neighboring county's sheriff about arrest records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Putnam County. If you need arrest records from a nearby jurisdiction, check where the booking took place. Each county maintains separate records.