Search Newton County Felony Records

Newton County felony records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in Covington. With a population near 124,000, Newton County is one of the faster-growing areas in metro Atlanta. The Alcovy Judicial Circuit handles all felony cases here. The clerk keeps court filings and case documents, while the sheriff manages arrest logs and jail data. You can search these records in person at the Covington courthouse, by phone, through mail, or by using state online tools that cover Newton County cases.

Newton County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is the primary source for felony case records in Newton County. All criminal filings move through this office. That includes indictments, plea deals, sentencing orders, and final case dispositions. The clerk stores both paper files and digital records for cases heard in Newton County Superior Court.

Visit the courthouse at 1132 Usher Street, Covington, GA 30014 to search in person. Bring a valid ID and the name of the person you want to look up. A date of birth or case number helps narrow things down. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, copies cost $0.10 per page. Certified copies have a higher fee. Call (770) 784-2015 if you have questions about Newton County felony case files. The clerk takes walk-in requests and can also handle requests sent by mail. During busy court days, expect some wait time at the window.

The Alcovy Judicial Circuit also covers Walton County. So some judges and prosecutors rotate between the two courthouses. But Newton County records stay at the Newton County Clerk's office. They do not transfer to Walton County or anywhere else.

Newton County Sheriff's Office

The Newton County Sheriff's Office manages arrest records and jail bookings. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff must keep records of everyone held in the county jail. These records list the person's name, charges, booking date, and the court that issued the warrant. Newton County felony arrest records are public under state law.

The sheriff's office is at 15151 Alcovy Road, Covington, GA 30014. Call (678) 625-1400 for information about recent arrests or inmates. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, local agencies can charge up to $20 for criminal history checks. Newton County has seen steady population growth, which means the jail and courts process more cases each year than they did a decade ago.

The Newton County government website shown above connects to various county departments and services, including court and law enforcement resources.

Searching Newton County Felony Records Online

Several state databases cover Newton County felony records. These are the fastest way to search from home.

The GDC Offender Query is free. It shows all current and past state prison inmates. If someone from Newton County got a prison sentence for a felony, they show up here. You can search by name, GDC ID, or physical traits. Results list charges, sentence length, facility, and possible release dates.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per lookup. It checks the GCIC database for all felony convictions in the state. You need the person's full name, date of birth, and sex. Results come back right away. Even a "no record found" result still costs $15. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, this data can be released without fingerprint comparison. For Newton County felony searches, this is the most thorough paid option besides visiting the courthouse.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority runs a shared system connecting all 159 county clerk offices. Newton County uses this platform for e-filing and case tracking. Some deed and lien records are searchable for free on the GSCCCA site, though full criminal case lookups may need a subscription or in-person visit.

Record Access and Restrictions

Felony records in Newton County are mostly public. Anyone can ask for them. Court files, arrest records, and booking data are open under the Georgia Open Records Act. Agencies must respond within three business days of getting a request.

Some arrest records can be restricted under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 if the case was never prosecuted. For arrests after July 1, 2013, the prosecuting attorney handles restriction requests. Older cases go through the arresting agency. Restricted records still show up for law enforcement but not in public searches. The First Offender Act under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1 lets first-time offenders seal their records after completing probation. Serious violent felonies per O.C.G.A. § 17-3-2.1 have a seven-year wait before any restriction can be considered.

State Resources for Newton County

The Georgia Crime Information Center collects criminal history data from all 159 counties, including Newton. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, GCIC must maintain complete records. You can request a criminal history check through the sheriff or GCIC directly.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles tracks parole info for offenders convicted in Newton County. If someone was sentenced to prison and later paroled, that data sits in the board's database. The board also handles pardon applications, which is a separate process from record restriction.

State databases might not show the most recent filings from the Newton County Superior Court. For the newest case info, contact the clerk directly.

Cities in Newton County

Newton County includes Covington and several smaller towns. Felony cases from all cities in the county go through the Newton County Superior Court. No cities in Newton County meet the population threshold for their own page.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Newton County. Each one maintains its own felony record system at their courthouse.