Chatham County Felony Record Search

Chatham County felony records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in Savannah. As one of Georgia's most populous counties with around 307,000 residents, Chatham County processes a high volume of felony cases through its Eastern Judicial Circuit court. The clerk stores all case filings while the sheriff handles arrest and jail records. Searching for felony records here can be done in person at the Savannah courthouse, by phone, or through statewide online tools that include Chatham County data.

Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is the main source for felony records in Chatham County. This is a busy office. Every criminal case filing passes through it. Indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and final dispositions are all stored here. The clerk maintains both paper and digital files for felony cases heard in the Chatham County Superior Court.

To search records in person, visit the courthouse at 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401. Bring a valid ID and know the name of the person whose record you want. A date of birth or case number narrows the search. Copies are $0.10 per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Certified copies cost more. Call (912) 652-7200 for questions about Chatham County felony case records. The clerk's office takes walk-in requests and handles written requests by mail. With the volume of cases in Chatham County, expect some wait time during busy periods.

Chatham County Sheriff's Office

The Chatham County Sheriff's Office manages arrest records and jail bookings. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff must keep records of everyone held in the Chatham County jail. These records contain the person's name, charges, booking date, and the court that issued the warrant. Chatham County felony arrest records are public under state law.

The sheriff's office is at 1050 Carl Griffin Drive, Savannah, GA 31405. Call (912) 652-7600 for inmate information or recent arrest records. The Chatham County Jail can be reached at the same number. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, local agencies can charge up to $20 for criminal history checks. Given the size of Chatham County, the sheriff's office processes a large number of bookings daily.

The Chatham County Sheriff's Office website shown above provides information about jail services and inmate searches.

Note: The sheriff's booking records are separate from court disposition records held by the clerk's office.

Searching Chatham County Felony Records Online

Multiple online tools cover Chatham County felony records. State databases are the fastest way to check from home.

The GDC Offender Query is free to use. It shows all state prison inmates, past and present. If someone from Chatham County got a prison sentence, they appear in this database. You can search by name, GDC ID, or physical description. Results list charges, sentence length, facility, and possible release dates. Given Chatham County's population, this database tends to have many results for local names.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per lookup and checks 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" result costs $15. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, this data can be released without fingerprint comparison. For Chatham County felony searches, this is the most thorough paid option short of visiting the courthouse.

The Chatham County government website shown above provides access to various county departments and services.

Record Access and Restrictions

Felony records in Chatham County are mostly public. Anyone can request them. Court files, arrest records, and booking data are open under the Georgia Open Records Act. Agencies must respond within three business days.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, some arrest records can be restricted if the case was not prosecuted. For arrests after July 1, 2013, the prosecuting attorney handles restrictions. For older cases, apply at the arresting agency. Restricted Chatham County felony records still show up for law enforcement but not in public searches. The First Offender Act, O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1, lets first-time offenders seal records after finishing probation. Serious violent felonies per O.C.G.A. § 17-3-2.1 have a seven-year wait. Felony convictions are nearly always public in Chatham County.

State Resources for Chatham County

The Georgia Crime Information Center collects criminal history data from all 159 counties, including Chatham. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, GCIC must maintain complete records. You can request a criminal history check through the sheriff or GCIC directly.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority connects all county clerk offices. Chatham County uses this shared system for case management and e-filing. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles tracks parole information for offenders convicted in Chatham County.

Note: State databases may not include the most recent filings from the Chatham County Superior Court.

Cities in Chatham County

Chatham County includes Savannah and Pooler, both of which have their own city pages. Felony cases from these cities go through the Chatham County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Chatham County. Each maintains its own felony record system at their courthouse.