Find Felony Records in Hancock County

Felony records in Hancock County are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in Sparta. This is a small county in middle Georgia with roughly 8,700 residents. It falls within the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. The clerk manages all court filings and case documents while the sheriff keeps arrest and booking records. Because of its small size, Hancock County processes fewer felony cases than most Georgia counties, but the same state laws and procedures apply for access and requests.

Hancock County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is the primary keeper of felony case records in Hancock County. Indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and final dispositions are all filed through this office. The clerk serves the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit, which covers several counties in central Georgia. Paper files and some digital records are kept for felony cases.

The clerk's office is at 12630 Broad Street, Sparta, GA 31087. A valid photo ID is needed for in-person visits. You should have the full name of the person whose record you want. A date of birth or case number helps. Copies cost $0.10 per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Certified copies come with an extra fee. Call (706) 444-6644 for help or to check on a record before you drive out. Walk-in visits and mail requests are both accepted.

Hancock County is small enough that the clerk can often handle requests the same day. Wait times are usually short. The office also processes first offender applications per O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60, and can tell you about cases that have been sealed.

Hancock County Sheriff's Office

The Hancock County Sheriff's Office handles arrests and jail bookings. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff keeps records of every person held in the county jail. These records show the name, charges, booking date, and which court issued the warrant. Felony arrest records from Hancock County are public.

The sheriff's office is at 67 Spring Street, Sparta, GA 31087. Call (706) 444-6471 for arrest information or inmate details. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the sheriff can charge up to $20 for a criminal history check. Booking records from the sheriff are not the same as court records. They show charges at the time of arrest, not the final outcome of the case.

The Hancock County government website shown above provides access to county departments and local resources.

Searching Hancock County Felony Records Online

Statewide databases are the best way to search Hancock County felony records without visiting Sparta in person.

The GDC Offender Query is free. It shows all state prison inmates, both past and current. If someone from Hancock County was sentenced to state prison, they will show up here. Search by name, GDC ID number, or physical traits. Results include charges, sentence length, facility, and possible release dates.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per lookup. It checks the GCIC database for felony convictions across the state. You need the full name, date of birth, and sex of the person. Results are instant. Even a "no record found" costs $15. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, this data can be shared without a fingerprint match. For Hancock County, this is the most thorough paid search option.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority connects county clerk offices statewide. Hancock County is part of this network, and some case index data may be available through the system. This tool works best as a supplement to other searches.

Record Access Laws and Restrictions

Most felony records in Hancock County are public. The Georgia Open Records Act covers court filings, arrest records, and booking data. Agencies must respond within three business days of getting a request.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, arrest records can be restricted if the person was never charged or the case was not prosecuted. Post-2013 arrests go through the prosecutor for restriction. Older cases require a request to the arresting agency. Restricted records are still visible to law enforcement.

The First Offender Act under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1 allows some records to be sealed. The defendant must complete all terms of the sentence first. Violent felonies per O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1 are not eligible. These sealing requests go through the Hancock County Clerk of Court.

Juvenile felony records are handled differently. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700, juvenile court records are confidential unless the case was transferred to adult court. Most adult felony convictions in Hancock County stay on the public record permanently.

State Agencies and Additional Resources

The Georgia Crime Information Center collects criminal history data from all 159 Georgia counties, including Hancock. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, GCIC maintains records submitted by local agencies. You can request a check through the sheriff or GCIC directly.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles tracks parole information for offenders convicted in Hancock County. Pardon applications for Hancock County convictions also go through this board. State databases sometimes lag behind the most recent local filings.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Hancock County. Each maintains separate felony records at their own courthouse.