Search Dougherty County Felony Records

Dougherty County felony records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in Albany. With a population around 82,000, Dougherty County is one of the larger counties in southwest Georgia. Felony cases here go through the Albany Judicial Circuit. The clerk files and stores all court documents while the sheriff manages arrests and jail records. You can search for felony records in person at the Albany courthouse, call the clerk's office, or use state online databases that include Dougherty County case data. Albany is also a qualifying city with its own page on this site.

Dougherty County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court handles all felony case records in Dougherty County. Every indictment, plea deal, sentencing order, and disposition gets filed through this office. The clerk maintains paper and digital records for cases heard in the Dougherty County Superior Court. This is a busy office given the county's size.

To search in person, go to the courthouse at 225 Pine Avenue, Albany, GA 31701. You will need a valid ID. Having the person's full name is required. A date of birth or case number speeds things up. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, standard copies cost $0.10 per page. Certified copies are more expensive. Call (229) 431-3214 with questions about Dougherty County felony filings. The clerk takes walk-in requests during business hours and handles mail requests too.

Dougherty County sees a higher volume of felony cases than many rural Georgia counties. The Albany Judicial Circuit covers Dougherty County exclusively, so the local clerk's office is the single point of contact for all superior court records in this area.

Dougherty County Sheriff's Office

The Dougherty County Sheriff's Office handles arrest records, jail bookings, and warrant information. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff keeps records on everyone held in the county detention center. Booking records include the person's name, charges, date of arrest, and the issuing court. These are public records under Georgia law.

The sheriff's office is at 126 W. Broad Avenue, Albany, GA 31701. The main line is (229) 302-3600. For warrants and civil matters, call (229) 302-3605. The investigations division can be reached at (229) 302-3613. For criminal records specifically, try (229) 430-6516. The AFIS unit handles fingerprint-based searches at (229) 430-6653.

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

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, local agencies can charge up to $20 for a criminal history check. Given Albany's population, the sheriff's office processes a significant number of bookings each week. Booking data differs from court records. An arrest does not mean a conviction.

Online Felony Record Searches

State online tools can help you search Dougherty County felony records from home.

The GDC Offender Query is free to use. It lists all people who have served or are serving time in a Georgia state prison. If someone from Dougherty County received a prison sentence, they show up here. Search by name, GDC ID, or physical traits. Results include charges, sentence length, facility placement, and projected release dates. With the volume of cases in Dougherty County, you may see multiple results for common names.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per check. It searches the GCIC database for all Georgia felony convictions. You need the subject's full name, date of birth, and sex. Results are fast. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, data can be released without a fingerprint comparison. A "no record found" result still costs the full $15.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority links all county clerk offices. Dougherty County records are part of this shared network. Some case information and real estate filings are searchable through the GSCCCA portal, though not every felony case detail appears online.

Record Access Rules in Dougherty County

Felony records here are mostly public. Court files, arrest records, and booking data fall under the Georgia Open Records Act. Agencies have three business days to respond to requests.

There are exceptions. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain arrest records can be restricted if charges were never filed or the case was dismissed. For arrests after July 1, 2013, the district attorney for the Albany Judicial Circuit handles restriction requests. Older arrests go through the arresting agency. Restricted records are hidden from public view but still visible to law enforcement.

First-time offenders may qualify to have records sealed under the First Offender Act, O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1. This applies after the person completes their full sentence or probation. Serious violent felonies listed under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1 carry longer waiting periods. Most felony convictions in Dougherty County stay on the public record.

State Resources for Dougherty County

The Georgia Crime Information Center collects criminal history from all 159 Georgia counties. Dougherty County data feeds into this system. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, GCIC maintains the central repository. Request a check through the sheriff or contact GCIC directly.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles handles parole records for Dougherty County felony convictions. If someone is on parole after serving time, this agency tracks their status. The board also handles clemency requests and pardons for Georgia felony cases.

Keep in mind that statewide databases may lag slightly behind local filings. New cases filed at the Dougherty County Superior Court might not appear in state systems for a few days.

Cities in Dougherty County

Albany is the county seat and the only qualifying city in Dougherty County. All felony cases from Albany go through the Dougherty County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Dougherty County. Each has its own felony record system and courthouse.