Marion County Felony Record Search

Marion County felony records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Buena Vista. This small county in west-central Georgia has a population of roughly 7,600 and sits within the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. The clerk files all criminal case documents while the sheriff manages arrest and jail records. You can search felony records by visiting the courthouse in Buena Vista, calling the clerk's office, or checking Georgia's statewide criminal databases online.

Marion County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is where felony records are stored in Marion County. All criminal case filings go through this office. Indictments, plea bargains, trial outcomes, and sentencing records are kept here. The clerk maintains both physical files and electronic records for cases heard in Marion County Superior Court.

The office is at 100 W. Main Street, Buena Vista, GA 31803. Bring your ID for in-person requests. You need the defendant's name to start a search. Having a date of birth or case number makes it faster. Copies cost $0.10 per page under the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Certified copies carry an additional fee. Call (229) 649-7321 to ask about Marion County felony records.

You can also send requests by mail. Put together a written request with whatever details you have. Include payment for copy fees. Marion County is one of Georgia's smallest counties, so the clerk's office staff can often pull records quickly. State law gives them three business days to respond.

Marion County Sheriff's Office

The Marion County Sheriff's Office handles arrest records and bookings. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff is required to keep records of everyone held in county custody. Booking entries include the person's name, charges, arrest date, and the issuing court. These are public records.

Find the sheriff at 104 W. Main Street, Buena Vista, GA 31803. Call (229) 649-3841 for details about arrests or inmate information. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the sheriff can charge up to $20 for a criminal history check. Given Marion County's small size, the volume of bookings is low compared to urban counties.

Booking records from the sheriff are different from court records. An arrest in Marion County does not guarantee a conviction happened. For the complete picture, check records at both the sheriff's office and the clerk of court.

The GBI Criminal History FAQ page shown above explains how to request background checks that cover Marion County and all other Georgia counties.

Searching Marion County Felony Records Online

Marion County does not have its own online case lookup tool. Use Georgia's statewide databases for remote searches.

The GDC Offender Query is free. It lists all current and past state prison inmates. If a felon from Marion County was sentenced to prison, they will be in this system. Search by name or GDC ID number. Results list charges, sentence details, assigned facility, and release dates.

The Georgia Felon Search is $15 per name. It checks the GCIC database for all Georgia felony convictions. Provide the person's full name, date of birth, and sex. Results are immediate. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, this data can be released without fingerprint verification. The $15 fee applies regardless of results. For Marion County, this is the most complete paid search.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority ties together all 159 county clerk offices. Marion County feeds into this system. Some case information may be searchable through the GSCCCA portal.

Record Access and Restrictions

Felony records in Marion County are mostly public. Court documents, arrest logs, and booking information are open under the Georgia Open Records Act. Anyone can request them. The agency must respond within three business days.

O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 allows arrest record restriction if the case was not prosecuted. Post-July 2013 arrests go through the prosecuting attorney. Older cases go through the arresting agency. Restricted records drop out of public view but still appear in law enforcement searches.

First-time offenders might seal records under the First Offender Act, O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1, after completing their sentence. Serious violent felonies per O.C.G.A. § 17-3-2.1 have a seven-year waiting period. The vast majority of felony convictions in Marion County remain public.

State Resources for Marion County

The Georgia Crime Information Center collects criminal history from all 159 Georgia counties. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, GCIC must maintain complete criminal records. Request a background check through the Marion County Sheriff or directly from GCIC.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles handles parole data for offenders convicted in any Georgia county, including Marion. The GBI Open Records Portal accepts requests for criminal history and investigative records online.

Cities in Marion County

Buena Vista is the county seat. No cities in Marion County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. All felony cases from communities in the county are handled at the Marion County Superior Court in Buena Vista.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Marion County. Each has its own court system handling felony records.