Find Felony Records in Lowndes County

Lowndes County felony records are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office in Valdosta. With a population of about 122,000, Lowndes County is one of the larger counties in south Georgia and sees a steady flow of felony cases through its Superior Court. The clerk files all indictments, pleas, and sentencing records while the sheriff tracks arrests and jail bookings. You can search these records in person at the Valdosta courthouse, through state online tools, or by contacting the offices directly.

Lowndes County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is the primary keeper of felony records in Lowndes County. Every criminal case that moves through Superior Court gets filed here. That includes indictments, arraignment records, plea deals, trial verdicts, and sentencing orders. The clerk stores both paper files and electronic records.

You can visit the clerk's office at 327 N. Ashley Street, Valdosta, GA 31601. Bring a valid photo ID if you plan to request records in person. Having the defendant's full name helps, and a date of birth or case number speeds things up. Copies cost $0.10 per page under the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Certified copies carry an extra fee. Call (229) 333-5120 to ask about specific felony case files. The staff handles walk-in requests during normal business hours.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request with as much detail as possible. Include a return envelope and a check for copy fees. The office must respond within three business days per state law.

Lowndes County Sheriff's Office

The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office handles arrest records and jail intake. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff must log everyone booked into the Lowndes County Jail. These booking records show the person's name, charges, arrest date, and the court that issued the warrant. Felony arrest records in Lowndes County are public.

The sheriff's office is located at 120 Prison Farm Road, Valdosta, GA 31601. For inmate or booking questions, call (229) 671-2950. This same number reaches the Lowndes County Jail. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, local law enforcement can charge up to $20 for a criminal history check. Lowndes County processes a fair amount of bookings given the size of Valdosta and surrounding areas.

The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office website shown above provides details about jail services, booking information, and how to reach the office.

Searching Lowndes County Felony Records Online

Several state databases cover Lowndes County felony records. These are the fastest options for remote searches.

The GDC Offender Query is free. It shows current and former state prison inmates. If someone from Lowndes County received a prison sentence for a felony, they show up in this system. You can search by name or GDC ID number. Results list charges, sentence length, assigned facility, and projected release dates.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per name. It checks the GCIC database for felony convictions across the state. You need the person's full name, date of birth, and sex. Results come back right away. Even if no record is found, the $15 fee still applies. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, this data can be released without a fingerprint match. For a thorough paid check in Lowndes County, this is the best option short of going to the courthouse.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority links all 159 county clerk offices. Lowndes County uses this shared platform for case management. Some case index data may be available through the GSCCCA website.

Record Access and Restrictions

Most felony records in Lowndes County are public. Court filings, arrest reports, and booking logs can be requested by anyone. The Georgia Open Records Act requires a response within three business days.

Some records can be restricted. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, arrest records may be sealed if the case was never prosecuted. For arrests after July 1, 2013, the prosecuting attorney handles the restriction process. Older arrest records go through the arresting agency. Restricted records still appear in law enforcement searches but not in public lookups.

First offenders may qualify to seal their records under the First Offender Act, O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1, once they finish probation. Serious violent felonies listed in O.C.G.A. § 17-3-2.1 require a seven-year wait before restriction can be considered. In most cases, felony convictions in Lowndes County stay public.

State Resources for Lowndes County

The Georgia Crime Information Center at the GBI collects criminal history data from all 159 counties. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33 requires GCIC to maintain complete records. You can request a criminal background check through the Lowndes County Sheriff or directly from GCIC.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles tracks parole and clemency data for offenders convicted in any Georgia county, including Lowndes. The board's parolee search tool can show whether someone is currently on parole.

For open records requests to state agencies, the GBI Open Records Portal accepts online submissions. This is helpful if you need GCIC data or investigative records tied to Lowndes County cases.

Cities in Lowndes County

Valdosta is the county seat and largest city in Lowndes County. Felony cases from Valdosta are processed through the Lowndes County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lowndes County. Each has its own clerk of court and sheriff handling felony records.