Access Columbia County Felony Records

Columbia County felony records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in the Evans area. With a population of around 167,000, Columbia County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Georgia and sits in the Columbia Judicial Circuit. The clerk stores all felony court filings while the sheriff manages arrest records and jail bookings. You can search these records in person at the courthouse, by phone, or through statewide databases that include Columbia County data.

Columbia County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is the primary holder of felony records in Columbia County. This is a busy office. Every criminal case filing comes through here, including indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and final dispositions. The clerk keeps both paper and digital records for cases heard in the Columbia County Superior Court.

To search records in person, go to 640 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA 30809. Bring a valid photo ID and the name of the person you need records for. A date of birth or case number will help narrow the search. Standard copies cost $0.10 per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Certified copies cost more. Call (706) 312-7139 for questions about Columbia County felony case records.

The clerk takes walk-in requests and also accepts written requests by mail. Columbia County has grown fast in recent years, so the office handles a growing caseload. Plan on some wait time if you visit during peak hours. Calling ahead to check availability is a smart move.

Columbia County Sheriff's Office

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

The sheriff's office is at 2273 County Camp Road, Appling, GA 30802. Call (706) 541-2800 for inmate information or to check on recent arrests. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, local agencies can charge up to $20 for criminal history checks. Columbia County's growing population means more bookings than in past years. The jail processes a steady flow of arrests from across the county.

The Columbia County government website shown above provides access to county departments, including the sheriff's office and the court system.

Keep in mind that booking records are separate from court records. The sheriff has the arrest data and the clerk has the court files. You may need both for a complete picture of a felony case.

Searching Columbia County Felony Records Online

Several state-level online tools cover Columbia County felony records. These are the fastest way to search from home.

The GDC Offender Query is free to use. It shows all current and past state prison inmates. If someone from Columbia County got a prison sentence for a felony, they appear in this database. You can search by name, GDC ID, or physical description. Results include charges, sentence length, the facility, and possible release dates.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per lookup. It checks the GCIC database for all felony convictions in Georgia. You need the person's full name, date of birth, and sex. Results come back right away. Even a "no record found" result costs the full $15. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, this data is released without fingerprint comparison. For Columbia County, this is the most complete paid search tool short of going to the courthouse.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority ties all county clerk offices together. Columbia County participates in the shared system. Real estate records and some court filings can be searched through the GSCCCA portal. Criminal case data online is still growing but worth checking for Columbia County records.

Record Access and Restrictions

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

Some records can be restricted. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, if a felony arrest was never prosecuted, the arrest record may be sealed from public view. For arrests after July 1, 2013, the district attorney handles restrictions. For older cases, apply at the arresting agency. Restricted Columbia County felony records still appear in law enforcement searches but not in public ones.

The First Offender Act, O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1, lets first-time offenders seal their records after finishing probation. Serious violent felonies under O.C.G.A. § 17-3-2.1 have a seven-year waiting period. In most situations, felony convictions in Columbia County remain public permanently.

State Resources for Columbia County

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

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority connects every county clerk office in the state. Columbia 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 Columbia County or anywhere else in Georgia.

Columbia County is right next to Richmond County, which includes Augusta. People sometimes confuse which county handles their case. If the offense happened in the Evans or Martinez area, it goes through Columbia County. If it happened in Augusta proper, that is Richmond County. Double check the jurisdiction before searching.

How to Get Copies of Columbia County Records

Visit the courthouse at 640 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA 30809 with a valid ID. Ask the clerk for the specific case file. Copies cost $0.10 per page. Certified copies are more expensive and may be needed for legal purposes.

You can also mail a request to the Columbia County Clerk of Court at 640 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA 30809. Include the person's name, date of birth if possible, and a check or money order for the copy fees. The clerk will mail back the records.

For arrest records, call the sheriff at (706) 541-2800. Booking reports and arrest details are available under the Open Records Act. The sheriff must respond within three business days. For a statewide criminal history beyond Columbia County, the Georgia Felon Search or a GCIC report is your best option.

Cities in Columbia County

Columbia County includes Evans and Martinez, both of which are growing communities in the Augusta metro area. Evans has its own city page. Felony cases from all cities in Columbia County go through the Columbia County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties are close to Columbia County. Each one keeps its own felony records at their courthouse.