Access Echols County Felony Records

Echols County felony records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in Statenville. This is Georgia's least populated county with only about 3,700 residents. Felony cases go through the Alapaha Judicial Circuit. The clerk files all court documents, and the sheriff manages arrest and booking records. Since Echols County is so small, there is no local online case search portal. Most record searches are done in person at the courthouse, by phone, or through free statewide databases that include Echols County data.

Echols County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is where felony records live in Echols County. This office handles every criminal case filing. Indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and final dispositions are all on file. The clerk keeps both paper and electronic records for cases heard in the Echols County Superior Court.

To search in person, go to the courthouse at 110 E. Main Street, Statenville, GA 31648. Bring a valid photo ID and the name of the person you want to look up. A date of birth or case number helps narrow the results. Copies of records cost $0.10 per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. Certified copies cost more. Call (229) 559-5607 for questions about felony case files in Echols County.

This is a very small office. The clerk and sheriff share a phone number, which gives you an idea of the scale. Staffing is limited. But the low case volume means requests tend to be handled quickly. Walk-in visits are common, and written mail requests also work. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, the office must respond within three business days.

Echols County Sheriff's Office

The Echols County Sheriff's Office handles arrest records and jail bookings. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff must maintain records for all persons held in custody. These records show the person's name, charges, booking date, and which court issued any warrant. Felony arrest records are public in Georgia.

The sheriff's office is at 105 E. Railroad Street, Statenville, GA 31648. Call (229) 559-5607 for arrest information or inmate questions. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the agency can charge up to $20 for criminal history checks. Echols County has a very low crime volume compared to most Georgia counties, so the number of felony records on file is relatively small.

Booking records from the sheriff are different from court records held by the clerk. Booking data shows what someone was charged with when arrested. Court records show whether they were actually convicted or if charges were dropped.

Online Felony Record Searches for Echols County

Echols County does not have a local online court search. State databases are your best bet for searching from home.

The GDC Offender Query is free to use. It shows anyone who has served or is currently serving time in a Georgia state prison. If someone from Echols County received a prison sentence for a felony, they will appear in this database. Search by name, GDC ID, or physical traits. Results show charges, sentence details, facility, and possible release dates.

The GDC Offender Search portal shown above lets you look up any person who has been in the Georgia state prison system, including offenders from Echols County.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per check. It searches the full GCIC database for felony convictions statewide. You need the person's full name, date of birth, and sex. Results are instant. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, results can be given without fingerprint verification. A "no record found" still costs the $15 fee.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority connects all 159 county clerk offices. Echols County is part of this shared system. Some records and filings may be searchable through the GSCCCA portal, but full felony case details are often not available online for smaller counties like Echols.

Record Access and Privacy

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

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, arrest records can be restricted if the case was never prosecuted or was dismissed. For arrests after July 1, 2013, the district attorney handles the restriction request. Older cases go through the arresting agency. Restricted records are hidden from public searches but still accessible to law enforcement.

First-time offenders may be able to seal their records under the First Offender Act, O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1. This applies after completing probation or the full sentence. Serious violent felonies under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1 are harder to seal. Nearly all felony convictions in Echols County remain on the public record.

State Resources for Echols County

The Georgia Crime Information Center collects criminal history from all Georgia counties. Echols County data is part of this system. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, GCIC maintains the central criminal history repository for the state.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles tracks parole information for people convicted of felonies in Echols County. If a person is on parole, this agency has their records. The board also processes clemency and pardon requests.

Statewide databases sometimes take a few days to reflect new filings from the Echols County Superior Court. For the most current information on any case, reach out to the clerk's office directly.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Echols County or are close by. Each has separate felony records at their own courthouse.