Find Franklin County Felony Records

Franklin County felony records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in Carnesville. This rural northeast Georgia county has about 25,000 people and is part of the Northern Judicial Circuit. The clerk files and stores all felony court documents, while the sheriff handles arrest records and jail bookings. Searching for felony records here can be done at the Carnesville courthouse, over the phone, or through Georgia's statewide databases that include Franklin County case data. Like many smaller Georgia counties, most record searches are done in person or by phone rather than online.

Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is where all felony case files are stored in Franklin County. Indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and dispositions all go through this office. The clerk maintains records for cases heard in the Franklin County Superior Court, which is part of the Northern Judicial Circuit alongside Hart and Elbert counties.

To search records in person, visit the courthouse at 9592 Lavonia Road, Carnesville, GA 30521. Bring a valid ID and the full name of the person whose record you need. If you have a date of birth or case number, that helps the staff find what you are looking for faster. Copies cost $0.10 per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Certified copies are priced higher. Call (706) 384-2511 for questions about felony case records or to check on a filing status.

Franklin County is a smaller county with a lower volume of felony cases compared to metro Atlanta counties. The clerk's office is generally less crowded, so in-person requests tend to be handled quickly. Mail-in requests are accepted as well.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office manages arrest and jail records for the county. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff must keep records of all individuals held in the Franklin County Jail. These records show the person's name, charges, booking date, and which court issued the warrant. Felony arrest records are public in Georgia.

The sheriff's office is at 1 James Little Street, Carnesville, GA 30521. Call (706) 384-2525 for inmate information or to ask about recent bookings. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, local law enforcement can charge up to $20 for a criminal history check. Remember, the sheriff has booking and arrest data. Court dispositions and sentencing details are at the clerk's office.

You can also find contact information through the Franklin County government website.

The Franklin County government website shown above gives access to county department information and contact details for county offices.

Online Felony Searches for Franklin County

State databases are the easiest way to check Franklin County felony records without going to Carnesville.

The GDC Offender Query is free. It shows every current and former state prison inmate in Georgia. If someone from Franklin County served time in a state prison, they will be in this system. You can search by name, GDC ID, or physical traits. The results include charges, sentence length, which facility they are in, and release date estimates.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per search and checks the GCIC database for all Georgia felony convictions. You enter the person's full name, date of birth, and sex. Results are returned right away. A search that finds no record still costs $15. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, this data can be released without fingerprint matching. This is the most complete paid option for a Franklin County felony check.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority connects all county clerk offices digitally. Franklin County uses this system for case tracking and some record management. Full criminal case lookups still usually require contacting the clerk directly.

Record Restrictions in Franklin County

Felony records in Franklin County are generally public. Court records, arrest data, and jail booking information can be requested by anyone. The Georgia Open Records Act gives agencies three business days to respond to a request.

There are exceptions. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, arrest records may be restricted if the case was never prosecuted or was dismissed. For arrests after July 1, 2013, the district attorney handles the restriction process. For older cases, apply at the agency that made the arrest. When records are restricted, they still show up for law enforcement but not in public background checks.

The First Offender Act under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1 lets first-time offenders seal their records after finishing probation or their sentence. Serious violent felonies per O.C.G.A. § 17-3-2.1 require a seven-year wait. Most felony convictions in Franklin County stay public and remain searchable.

State Resources for Franklin County

The Georgia Crime Information Center at the GBI gathers criminal history records from every county in Georgia. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, GCIC must keep complete felony records. You can request a check through the Franklin County Sheriff or directly through GCIC.

The GSCCCA links all 159 Superior Court clerk offices electronically. Franklin County participates in this shared system for e-filing and record management. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles tracks parole status for offenders convicted in Franklin County.

State databases may lag behind the local clerk's records by a day or two. For the most up-to-date Franklin County felony case information, contact the clerk in Carnesville directly.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County does not have any cities large enough for individual city pages on this site. Carnesville is the county seat, and all felony matters from Franklin County cities are handled at the county Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Franklin County. Each maintains its own felony record system at their local courthouse.