Clarke County Felony Records

Clarke County felony records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in Athens. As a consolidated city-county government, Athens-Clarke County has about 130,000 residents and is the home of the University of Georgia. Clarke County sits within the Western Judicial Circuit. The clerk manages all court filings while the sheriff handles arrest and jail records. You can search for felony records in person at the Athens courthouse, by phone, or through statewide online databases.

Clarke County Clerk of Superior Court

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

Visit the courthouse at 325 E. Washington Street, Athens, GA 30601 to search records. Bring a valid ID and the name of the person whose record you need. A date of birth or case number helps narrow results. Copies are $0.10 per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Certified copies carry a higher fee. Call (706) 613-3190 for questions about Clarke County felony case records. The office handles walk-in requests and mail inquiries.

Clarke County is part of the Western Judicial Circuit, which also covers Oconee County. These two counties share judges who rotate between Athens and Watkinsville. All Clarke County felony records stay filed at the Athens courthouse. As a college town with a large population, Clarke County sees a higher case volume than neighboring counties.

The Athens-Clarke County government website provides links to county departments and services, including the court system.

The Athens-Clarke County website shown above offers information about the consolidated government and its various departments.

Clarke County Sheriff's Office

The Clarke County Sheriff's Office handles arrest records and operates the county jail. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff must keep records of all persons held in the facility. These records show the inmate's name, charges, booking date, and the issuing court.

The sheriff's office is at 3015 Lexington Road, Athens, GA 30605. Call (706) 613-3250 for inmate information or arrest records. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, local agencies can charge up to $20 for criminal history checks. Clarke County processes a significant number of bookings due to the city's population and the university community.

The Clarke County Jail can be reached at (706) 613-3250. Booking records from the sheriff are separate from court disposition records held at the clerk's office. An arrest record shows what charges were filed. Court records show how the case was resolved.

Searching Clarke County Felony Records Online

Several online tools cover Clarke County felony records. State databases give you access from anywhere.

The GDC Offender Query is free. It shows all state prison inmates, current and past. If someone from Clarke County received a prison sentence, they appear 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 checks the GCIC database for felony convictions statewide. You need the full name, date of birth, and sex. Results are instant. A "no record found" costs $15 too. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, this data can be released without fingerprints. For Clarke County, this is the most thorough paid option.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority connects all county clerk offices. Clarke County uses this system for e-filing and case management. The GSCCCA website lets you search real estate records, liens, and some court documents across counties.

Record Access and Restrictions

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

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, arrest records can be restricted if the case was never prosecuted. The rules differ based on when the arrest happened. For arrests after July 1, 2013, the district attorney handles restriction requests. Restricted Clarke County felony records are hidden from public searches but remain in law enforcement databases.

First-time offenders may seal their records under the First Offender Act, O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1. This applies after completing probation. Violent felonies have a longer wait. Most felony convictions in Clarke County remain permanently public.

State Resources for Clarke County

The Georgia Crime Information Center gathers criminal history data from all 159 counties, including Clarke. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33 requires GCIC to maintain complete records. You can request a background check through the Clarke County Sheriff or GCIC directly.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles tracks parole information for offenders convicted in Clarke County. The GSCCCA provides technology support for the clerk's office. State databases may not include the very latest filings from the Clarke County Superior Court.

Cities in Clarke County

Clarke County operates as a consolidated government with Athens. Athens has its own city page with detailed local information. All felony cases go through the Clarke County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clarke County. Each maintains its own felony record system.