Search Athens Felony Records
Athens felony records are held by the Clarke County Superior Court. Athens and Clarke County operate as a unified government, so the city and county share most services. With a population near 130,000, Athens is one of the larger cities in northeast Georgia. The Athens-Clarke County Police Department handles arrests, and the Clarke County District Attorney prosecutes felony cases. You can search for felony records tied to Athens using the Georgia Felon Search or by visiting the Clarke County Clerk of Superior Court. Home to the University of Georgia, Athens sees a wide range of felony case types.
Athens Quick Facts
Clarke County Handles Athens Felony Cases
Athens and Clarke County merged in 1991 to form a unified government. Because of this, the county and city share one court system. All felony cases from Athens go through the Clarke County Superior Court. The Clarke County Clerk of Superior Court keeps all felony case records, court documents, and disposition data.
The Clarke County courthouse is at 325 E. Washington Street in Athens. You can call the clerk at (706) 613-3190. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Since Athens is the county seat and the only city in Clarke County, all local felony records are kept in one place. This makes searching simpler than in counties with many cities. For more details on the county system, visit the Clarke County felony records page.
Athens is in the Western Judicial Circuit, which covers Clarke and Oconee counties. Felony cases from both counties are heard by the same group of Superior Court judges. The chief judge assigns cases based on the court calendar.
Athens-Clarke County Police Department
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department is at 3035 Lexington Road, Athens, GA 30605. Call (706) 613-3330 for general questions. Because Athens and Clarke County are unified, the police department serves the entire county. There is no separate city police force and county sheriff patrol. The ACCPD handles all arrests in Athens, including felony arrests.
The Clarke County Sheriff's Office is at 3015 Lexington Road, Athens, GA 30605. Call (706) 613-3250. The sheriff runs the county jail and handles courthouse security. If someone is held on felony charges, the sheriff's office manages their detention. You can call the jail for questions about people currently in custody.
Police arrest reports are separate from the court case files held at the clerk of court. If you need just the arrest report, contact the ACCPD records division. For the full case file with court documents, you need to go to the Clarke County Clerk of Superior Court.
How to Search Athens Felony Records
The fastest option is the Georgia Felon Search. This costs $15 per search and gives you results right away. You need the person's name, date of birth, and sex. The tool checks the state criminal history database and shows any felony conviction on record. Under O.C.G.A. 35-3-34, this information can be shared with the public.
The Georgia Department of Corrections runs a free offender search that shows people who are or were in state prison. Search by name or GDC ID number. Results include charges, sentence details, and facility. This works for Athens felony cases that ended with a prison term.
For the full court record with all filings and documents, go to the Clarke County Clerk of Superior Court at 325 E. Washington Street in Athens. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority also has a statewide search tool. You can find Athens cases through the Clarke County records there.
The GBI criminal history FAQ explains how to get a full criminal history record through local law enforcement. The cost is about $15 at most agencies.
Record Restrictions in Georgia
Georgia allows certain felony records to be restricted. Under O.C.G.A. 35-3-37, if a felony arrest did not lead to prosecution, the arrest record can be restricted four years after the arrest date. This does not apply to serious violent felonies.
The First Offender Act (O.C.G.A. 42-8-60) lets first-time offenders complete their sentence without a formal conviction going on their record. If they finish probation and meet all terms, the case can be sealed. These records won't show up in most public searches. But law enforcement and some employers still have access to them.
Acquittals and dismissals can also be restricted. The person must petition the court where the case was heard. For Athens cases, that would be the Clarke County Superior Court. There is no filing fee, but the process involves paperwork and a court review.
Georgia State Resources for Athens Felony Records
The Georgia Crime Information Center maintains the central criminal history database. GCIC is part of the GBI. Contact them at 404-244-2639 or visit 3121 Panthersville Road, Decatur, GA 30034.
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles keeps records on people who were paroled or received pardons. Call (404) 656-4661 for questions about parole status.
- Georgia Felon Search: $15 per name search for felony convictions
- GDC Offender Search: Free, shows current and past state prison inmates
- GCIC Criminal History: About $15, available through local law enforcement
- GBI Open Records: File requests at gbigeorgia.govqa.us
Under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70), agencies must respond to record requests within three business days. Copy fees are $0.10 per page.
Legal Help in Athens
The Georgia Legal Services Program helps people with low income who need advice about criminal records. Reach them at (404) 206-5175 or at glsp.org. The Athens area also has the Athens-Clarke County Public Defender's Office for people who cannot afford a lawyer in criminal cases.
For help reading your own criminal history report, call GCIC at 404-244-2639 and press option 5. Hours are 9 AM to 2 PM, Monday through Friday. You can also email gacriminalhistory@gbi.ga.gov. The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-334-6865 if you need a private attorney.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Athens with felony records pages:
Clarke County Felony Records
Athens is in Clarke County. All felony cases go through the Clarke County Superior Court. For the full county court details, fees, and all related felony record resources, visit the Clarke County page.