Terrell County Arrest Records
Terrell County arrest records are held at the sheriff's office in Dawson, Georgia. This southwest Georgia county has around 9,000 residents. The sheriff's office handles all arrest processing, booking logs, and inmate records for the county. You can search for arrest records by calling the office, visiting in person, or using state-level tools from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Every arrest in Terrell County gets reported to the statewide criminal history system, which gives you more than one way to find the records you need.
Terrell County Quick Facts
Terrell County Sheriff's Office Records
Sheriff Vernon Jessie runs the Terrell County Sheriff's Office. The office is in Dawson and takes all record requests for local arrests. Call (229) 995-4488 to ask about arrest records, jail bookings, or inmate status. The mailing address is PO Box 463, Dawson, GA 39842.
Provide the full name and date of birth of the person you are searching for. The staff can check if someone is in custody at the county jail or pull records from past arrests on file. Terrell County is a smaller county, so most requests move through pretty fast. Older records or cases that went to state court could take a bit longer. The office also reports all arrest data to the GBI's statewide criminal history database, so records can be found at the state level too.
| Sheriff | Vernon Jessie |
|---|---|
| Address | PO Box 463, Dawson, GA 39842 |
| Phone | (229) 995-4488 |
Searching for Terrell County Arrest Records
The most direct approach is to contact the sheriff's office in Dawson. A phone call is the quickest method. You can also write or walk in during business hours.
State-level tools open up more options. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the statewide criminal history system through the Georgia Crime Information Center. This database includes arrest data from all 159 Georgia counties, and Terrell County is part of it. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you can ask for your own criminal history record for up to $15. Mail your request to CCH/Identification Services, P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, Georgia 30037. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days. The GBI FAQ page explains exactly what you need to include.
Note: Same-day appointments at the GBI lobby office in Decatur are not available.
Georgia State Records for Terrell County
The GCIC network connects over 600 agencies across Georgia. Terrell County arrest data flows into this system whenever a deputy books someone at the county jail. The Criminal Justice Information System ties together sheriff offices, police, courts, and jails statewide. This gives you access to Terrell County records even from a distance.
The GBI's Rapid ID system is another piece of this network. It lets officers check fingerprints in the field with handheld devices. This tool is used across Georgia, including in Terrell County, to verify identities during arrests and stops.
Terrell County Jail and Inmate Search
The county jail in Dawson is managed by the sheriff's office. Every arrest in Terrell County goes through booking at this facility. Booking records include name, charges, arrest date, and photo. These are public records. Call (229) 995-4488 to check on an inmate.
If someone has been sent to a state prison after arrest in Terrell County, the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search can locate them. Search by name or GDC ID number. The GDC database does not include county jail inmates.
Note: Verify GDC data by writing to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029.
Arrest Record Laws for Terrell County
Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 makes initial arrest reports public. The Terrell County Sheriff's Office must release basic arrest reports when someone asks. Pending investigation records may be held back, but the arrest report is always open.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, getting records under false pretenses carries a fine of up to $5,000 and up to two years in prison. Record restriction is allowed under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 for arrests that ended in dismissal, nolle prosequi, or no grand jury action. Guilty verdicts cannot be restricted in Terrell County or anywhere else in Georgia.
Additional Terrell County Resources
The Georgia Felon Search checks felony convictions for $15 per search. A second $15 gets full details. Only felonies appear. You need a name, date of birth, and sex. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory has contact info for every Georgia sheriff. Use the GBI Payment Portal for state-level fees.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Terrell County. Make sure you know where the arrest took place before making a request.