Search Emanuel County Felony Records

Emanuel County felony records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in Swainsboro. Located in east-central Georgia, Emanuel County has a population of about 23,000. Felony cases here are processed through the Middle Judicial Circuit. The clerk stores all court filings while the sheriff handles arrest records and booking data. Record searches can be done in person at the Swainsboro courthouse, by phone, or through statewide online databases. Emanuel County does not have its own online case search, so state tools are the best option for searching from home.

Emanuel County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court manages all felony case records in Emanuel County. Every criminal filing goes through this office. Indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and final case dispositions are kept on file. The clerk maintains paper files and electronic records for cases heard in the Emanuel County Superior Court.

Visit the courthouse at 101 N. Main Street, Swainsboro, GA 30401 to search records in person. A valid photo ID is required. You need the person's full name to start a search. A date of birth or case number makes the search go quicker. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, copies cost $0.10 per page. Certified copies are more expensive. Call (478) 237-8911 for questions about Emanuel County felony records.

The clerk accepts walk-in requests and handles written requests by mail. The Middle Judicial Circuit includes several other counties, but Emanuel County cases stay filed at the Swainsboro courthouse. If you are not sure where a case was filed, start with the county where the arrest took place.

Emanuel County Sheriff's Office

The Emanuel County Sheriff's Office tracks arrest records and jail bookings. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff must keep records of every person booked into the county jail. Booking records contain the person's name, charges, date, and the issuing court. These are public records in Georgia.

The sheriff's office is at 116 N. Green Street, Swainsboro, GA 30401. Call (478) 237-7526 for arrest information or inmate questions. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, law enforcement agencies can charge up to $20 for criminal history checks. Emanuel County processes a moderate number of felony arrests each year.

Booking records differ from court records. An arrest record shows what someone was charged with. Only the court records from the clerk's office show whether the person was actually convicted. It is worth checking both if you need a full picture of someone's felony history in Emanuel County.

Online Felony Record Searches

Emanuel County does not have a local online court search portal. Statewide databases are your best option for remote searches.

The GDC Offender Query is free. It shows all current and past state prison inmates in Georgia. If someone from Emanuel County received a prison sentence, they appear in this database. Search by name, GDC ID, or physical features. Results include charges, sentence details, facility information, and possible release dates.

The GDC Offender Search portal shown above lets you look up any person who has been in the Georgia prison system. This includes anyone convicted of a felony in Emanuel County who received prison time.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per check. It covers the entire GCIC database for felony convictions. You need the person's full name, date of birth, and sex. Results come back right away. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, data can be shared without fingerprints. A "no record found" still costs the $15.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority links all county clerk offices. Emanuel County is part of this shared system. Some records can be found through the GSCCCA portal, but full felony case details usually require contacting the clerk in Swainsboro.

Record Access and Privacy

Felony records in Emanuel County are generally public. Court files, arrest data, and jail booking records are all covered by the Georgia Open Records Act. Any person can submit a request. The agency must respond within three business days.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain arrest records can be restricted if the case was dismissed or never prosecuted. For arrests after July 1, 2013, the district attorney for the Middle Judicial Circuit handles restriction requests. Older cases go through the arresting agency. Once restricted, records are hidden from public searches but remain visible to law enforcement.

The First Offender Act, O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1, lets first-time offenders seal records after finishing their sentence or probation. Violent felonies listed in O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1 carry longer wait periods. Most felony convictions in Emanuel County remain permanently on the public record.

State Resources

The Georgia Crime Information Center gathers criminal history from all 159 Georgia counties, including Emanuel. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, GCIC keeps the state's central criminal record repository. Request a background check through the sheriff or GCIC.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles tracks parole records for Emanuel County felony convictions. If someone is on parole after serving time, the board has their information. Clemency requests and pardons are also handled through this agency.

State databases may be a few days behind the latest filings at the Emanuel County Superior Court. Contact the clerk directly for the most up-to-date case information.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Emanuel County or are nearby. Each maintains its own felony records.