Search Stephens County Arrest Records

Stephens County arrest records are managed by the sheriff's office in Toccoa, Georgia. The county is in northeast Georgia and has around 26,000 residents. Sheriff Rusty Fulbright leads the team that handles arrests, bookings, and jail operations across the county. If you need to look up an arrest record or find out if someone is in custody, the sheriff's office is the primary contact. You can also search through the GBI's statewide criminal history database for Stephens County arrest data. Below you will find everything you need to know about searching for these records.

Stephens County Sheriff Arrest Records

Sheriff Rusty Fulbright runs the Stephens County Sheriff's Office at 70 N Alexander Street, Suite 205, Toccoa, GA 30577. The office phone number is 706-886-2525. This is the main agency for arrest records in Stephens County. Deputies handle law enforcement across the county and process all arrests through the local jail facility. Walk-in visits are accepted during business hours for record requests.

When you call or visit, bring the full name and date of birth of the person you want to check on. That is all staff typically need to pull up a record. They can tell you if someone is in the Stephens County jail, what their charges are, and whether bail has been set. Past arrest records that are part of the public record can also be retrieved on request. The office processes a moderate volume of arrests given the county's size, so wait times are usually reasonable. For complex requests that involve older files, it may take a day or two to get the records together.

How to Search Stephens County Records

You have a few options for finding arrest records in Stephens County. The most direct is to call the sheriff's office at 706-886-2525 or visit in person at 70 N Alexander Street in Toccoa. You need a name and date of birth. Staff can search for current inmates, recent bookings, and past arrest records.

State tools are also available. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation operates the statewide criminal history system. Every Stephens County arrest goes into the Georgia Crime Information Center database. The GCIC collects data from all 159 Georgia counties through over 600 reporting agencies. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, anyone can request their own criminal history for a fee of up to $15. If something looks wrong on the record, you have 60 days to challenge it. The GBI FAQ explains the process in detail.

Georgia Criminal Records and Stephens County

The GCIC is the central hub for criminal history data across Georgia. Stephens County arrest records are stored in this same system alongside data from every other county. The Criminal Justice Information System network connects the sheriff's office, courts, and state agencies. When someone is arrested in Stephens County, the information enters the GCIC right away.

The GBI website gives you access to criminal history tools and other databases.

From this page you can reach the sex offender registry, crime statistics, and the GAPS fingerprint service. The Rapid ID system lets Stephens County officers check fingerprints in the field using handheld scanners. This tool ties into both state and federal databases and helps confirm identities during arrests and traffic stops. These tools connect even smaller counties like Stephens into the statewide criminal justice network.

Note: The GBI office in Decatur requires appointments for record inspections. They do not accept same-day walk-ins.

Stephens County Jail and Booking Data

Every arrest in Stephens County goes through booking at the local jail. The process creates a record with the person's name, charges, date, and usually a photo. Booking records are public in Georgia. To check on someone in the jail, call 706-886-2525.

If the person was transferred to a state prison, the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search can help you find them. You can look up inmates by name, GDC ID, or case number. The GDC system covers state inmates only. Someone held at the Stephens County jail who has not been sent to state custody will not appear in this search. Bail and court dates are available through the sheriff's office.

The GDC cautions that their data may not always be current. For verification, write to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029.

Stephens County Arrest Record Laws

Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 protects the right to access initial arrest reports. The Stephens County Sheriff's Office must release these records to anyone who asks. Pending investigation files may be held back, but the basic arrest report is always public.

O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38 covers the penalties for misusing criminal records. Obtaining records through false pretenses brings fines up to $5,000 and up to two years in prison. Negligent sharing of data results in a $100 fine and up to 10 days in jail. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, some Stephens County arrest records can be restricted. If a charge was dismissed or not presented to a grand jury, it may qualify for sealing from public view. A guilty outcome is never eligible for restriction anywhere in the state.

Get Stephens County Arrest Data

The Georgia Felon Search is an option for checking felony convictions. Each search costs $15. Viewing details on a match is another $15. You need the person's name, date of birth, and sex. The tool only returns felony convictions. Misdemeanors and restricted records do not appear.

For the most thorough look at Stephens County arrest records, the sheriff's office in Toccoa is the best resource. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association lists contact details for every county sheriff. The GBI takes mail requests at CCH/Identification Services, P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, Georgia 30037. Allow 5 to 10 business days. You can pay through the GBI Payment Portal.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Stephens County in northeast Georgia. Make sure you know where the arrest took place before requesting records.