Access Burke County Felony Records

Burke County felony records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in Waynesboro. This east Georgia county has about 22,000 residents and is one of the state's largest by land area. Burke County is part of the Augusta Judicial Circuit. The clerk files all felony case documents while the sheriff manages arrest and jail records. You can search for felony records in person at the Waynesboro courthouse, by phone, or through statewide databases covering Burke County.

Burke County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is the primary source for felony records in Burke County. Every felony case filing passes through this office. Indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and final dispositions are all stored here. The clerk keeps paper files and electronic records for cases heard in the Burke County Superior Court.

To search records, visit the courthouse at 111 E. 6th Street, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Bring a valid ID and the name of the person whose record you need. A date of birth or case number will narrow the search. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, copies are $0.10 per page. Certified copies cost more. Call (706) 554-2279 for questions. The office handles walk-in requests and mail requests.

Burke County is in the Augusta Judicial Circuit, which also covers Columbia and Richmond counties. This is a major circuit due to the Augusta metro area. Judges rotate among the three counties. All Burke County felony records stay filed at the Waynesboro courthouse regardless of which judge hears the case.

Burke County Sheriff's Office

The Burke County Sheriff's Office handles arrest records and jail bookings. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff must keep records of everyone held in the county jail. These records show the person's name, charges, booking date, and the issuing court.

The sheriff's office is at 225 Highway 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Call (706) 554-2133 for inmate information or arrest record requests. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, local agencies can charge up to $20 for a criminal history check. Burke County also has a state prison facility within its borders, but state prison records are managed by the Georgia Department of Corrections rather than the local sheriff.

The Georgia GDC Offender Query shown above is a free state tool for looking up inmates from Burke County and all other Georgia counties.

Note that the sheriff's booking records are separate from court records. Arrest records show what charges were filed. Court records from the clerk's office show how the case was resolved.

Searching Burke County Felony Records Online

State databases are the easiest way to check Burke County felony records without traveling to Waynesboro.

The GDC Offender Query is free. It shows all state prison inmates, past and present. If someone from Burke County received a prison sentence, their record is in this database. Search by name, GDC ID, or physical description. Results include charges, sentence length, facility, and projected release dates.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per lookup. It searches the GCIC database for all felony convictions in Georgia. You need the person's full name, date of birth, and sex. Results are instant. Even a "no record found" costs $15. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, this data can be released without fingerprints. This is the most thorough paid option for Burke County felony checks.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority connects all county clerk offices in the state. Burke County uses this shared system for case management and e-filing. The GSCCCA website allows cross-county searches for real estate records, liens, and some court filings.

Record Access and Privacy

Felony records in Burke County are mostly public. Court files, arrest records, and booking data are all open under the Georgia Open Records Act. Agencies have three business days to respond.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, some arrest records can be restricted if the case was never prosecuted. The rules changed for arrests after July 1, 2013, with the prosecuting attorney now handling restriction requests. Restricted records are hidden from public searches but remain visible to law enforcement.

The First Offender Act, O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1, allows first-time offenders to seal their records after finishing probation. Serious violent felonies have a longer wait. Most felony convictions in Burke County remain permanently public.

State Resources for Burke County

The Georgia Crime Information Center collects criminal history data from all 159 counties. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, GCIC must maintain complete records. You can get a background check through the Burke County Sheriff or GCIC.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles tracks parole data for offenders convicted in Burke County. State databases may not show the very latest filings from the Burke County Superior Court. For the most current records, contact the clerk's office in Waynesboro.

Cities in Burke County

Burke County includes Waynesboro and several smaller towns. No cities in Burke County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All felony cases from within the county go through the Burke County Superior Court in Waynesboro.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Burke County. Each maintains its own felony records at their courthouse.