Schley County Arrest Records
Schley County arrest records are managed by the sheriff's office in Ellaville, Georgia. This small county in southwest Georgia has around 5,000 residents. Sheriff Scott Nelson leads the local law enforcement team that handles all arrests, bookings, and jail operations. If you need to look up an arrest record or check on a person in custody, the sheriff's office is the primary contact. State-level databases from the GBI also contain Schley County arrest data, and this page explains how to use both local and state resources to get the information you need.
Schley County Quick Facts
Schley County Sheriff's Office Records
Sheriff Scott Nelson heads the Schley County Sheriff's Office. The mailing address is PO Box 809, Ellaville, GA 31806, and the phone number is 229-937-2101. His office is the only local source for arrest records in this county. Deputies cover the whole area, and the office runs the county jail. All bookings pass through this single facility. Walk-in visits during business hours are fine for arrest record requests.
Have the person's full name and date of birth ready before you call. That makes it easier for staff to locate the right file. They can tell you if someone is in the Schley County jail and what charges they face. Older files might take a bit longer to pull. The office does not have an online search tool, so calling or visiting is the way to go.
| Sheriff | Scott Nelson |
|---|---|
| Address | PO Box 809, Ellaville, GA 31806 |
| Phone | 229-937-2101 |
State Resources for Schley County
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the statewide criminal history system. Arrest records from Schley County feed into the Georgia Crime Information Center database alongside data from all 159 Georgia counties. The GCIC gets reports from more than 600 agencies each month. Even a small county like Schley is part of this network.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you can request your own criminal history record from the GBI. The fee is up to $15. You may also challenge anything on the record that looks incorrect within 60 days. The GBI criminal history FAQ lays out the steps you need to follow. Fingerprint-based searches are available through the GAPS program at approved locations across Georgia.
Note: GBI appointments for record inspections must be made ahead of time. Same-day visits are not an option.
Schley County Criminal History Search
The GBI website is the main entry point for state-level criminal history searches that include Schley County data. Visit the GBI homepage to find links to available services.
From this page, you can reach the criminal history tools, sex offender registry, and crime statistics. The GCIC network ties the Schley County Sheriff's Office into the same system used by larger jurisdictions across Georgia. The Rapid ID fingerprint program lets officers check prints in the field. Even in a county with 5,000 people, these tools are part of daily operations for local law enforcement.
Schley County Jail and Booking Info
Arrests in Schley County are processed through the local jail. Booking includes the person's name, charges, and date of arrest. A photo is usually taken. These records are public in Georgia.
Call 229-937-2101 to check on someone in the Schley County jail. Staff can share the current charges and custody status. If the person ended up in state prison, the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search is the tool to use. You can look up inmates by name or GDC ID number. The GDC system covers state inmates only, so someone still held at the county level will not appear in it. Bail and court information should be confirmed with the sheriff's office directly.
The GDC says their data may not be fully current. Write to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029 to verify what you find online.
Arrest Record Laws in Schley County
Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 requires that initial arrest reports be released to anyone who asks. The Schley County Sheriff's Office must follow this law. Pending investigation files may be held back, but the arrest report itself is always public. No county in Georgia is exempt from this rule.
O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38 makes it illegal to obtain criminal records under false pretenses. The fine goes up to $5,000 and the prison sentence up to two years. Careless sharing of arrest data can result in a $100 fine and 10 days in jail. Record restriction is available for certain outcomes. If a Schley County charge was dismissed or not sent to a grand jury, the arrest record may qualify for sealing under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Guilty dispositions can never be restricted.
Access Schley County Arrest Data
The Georgia Felon Search lets you check for felony convictions linked to Schley County. The cost is $15 per search. A second $15 fee applies to view the full record. You need the person's name, date of birth, and sex. Only felony convictions show up. Misdemeanors and restricted records are not included.
The sheriff's office remains the most complete local source for Schley County arrest records. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association has a full directory of every county sheriff in the state. Mail requests go to the GBI at CCH/Identification Services, P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, Georgia 30037. Allow 5 to 10 business days. Fees can be paid through the GBI Payment Portal.
Nearby Counties
Schley County borders a few other counties in southwest Georgia. Check where the arrest happened before reaching out.