Ware County Arrest Records

Ware County arrest records are stored at the sheriff's office in Waycross, Georgia. This county has roughly 36,000 residents. The sheriff's office handles every arrest made within the county and keeps all the records that come from those arrests. Whether you need to check on a current inmate, look up a past booking, or get a copy of an arrest report from Ware County, the sheriff's office in Waycross is the place to start. State-level tools through the GBI also give you access to Ware County arrest data.

Ware County Sheriff Arrest Data

Sheriff Carl James runs the Ware County Sheriff's Office at 3487 Harris Rd, Waycross, GA 31503. The phone number is (912) 287-4326. This is the main source for all arrest records in Ware County. The staff can check the jail roster, pull booking records, and help you get copies of arrest reports from the files.

You will need a full name and date of birth to make a request. Calling is the fastest method. You can also walk in or send a written request by mail. Ware County reports all arrest data to the statewide system, so if you cannot reach the local office, you can try state-level tools as a backup. Response times depend on the age of the record and whether it involves state court proceedings.

Searching Ware County Arrest Records

The most direct way is to contact the sheriff's office in Waycross. A phone call to (912) 287-4326 gets you an answer fast. Walk-in requests and written requests also work.

For state-level access, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the statewide criminal history system. The GCIC collects arrest data from every Georgia county, including Ware. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, any person can request their own criminal history. The fee is up to $15. Send requests to P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, Georgia 30037. Allow 5 to 10 business days. Read the GBI FAQ for step-by-step details.

Georgia Criminal History for Ware County

Every arrest in Ware County enters the statewide Criminal Justice Information System. More than 600 agencies report to the GCIC. This network ties together sheriff offices, police departments, courts, and correction facilities. If someone is arrested in Ware County, the record goes into the state database automatically.

From the GBI website you can access criminal history services, crime reports, and the sex offender registry. The Rapid ID system lets law enforcement check fingerprints with handheld devices in the field. For people in state prisons after a Ware County arrest, the GDC offender search is the tool to use. It does not cover county jail inmates.

Ware County Jail Bookings

The county jail in Waycross is run by the sheriff's office. Every arrest in Ware County goes through booking here. A booking record captures the person's name, charges, arrest date, and a mugshot. Under Georgia law, these records are public. To check on an inmate, call (912) 287-4326.

For people transferred to state prison after arrest in Ware County, use the GDC offender search. It covers state correctional facilities but not the county jail. You can search by name or ID number.

The GDC warns that you should verify data by writing to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029 before relying on it.

Ware County Arrest Record Access Laws

Under the Georgia Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, arrest reports are public records. The Ware County Sheriff's Office must share initial arrest reports on request. Active investigations may be withheld.

Getting criminal records under false pretenses violates O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38. The fine can reach $5,000 with up to two years in prison. Georgia also permits record restriction. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, if a Ware County arrest ended in dismissal, nolle prosequi, or no grand jury action, the charge may be sealed. Guilty outcomes are never eligible for sealing.

Additional Ware County Record Resources

Use the Georgia Felon Search for felony conviction lookups at $15 per search. An extra $15 opens full details. This tool only returns felonies, not misdemeanors or sealed records. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association has contact info for every Georgia sheriff. Pay state record fees on the GBI Payment Portal.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Ware County. Make sure you know where the arrest took place before contacting an office.