Seminole County Felony Records

Seminole County felony records are managed by the Superior Court Clerk and Sheriff's Office in Donalsonville. This southwest Georgia county sits near the Florida border and has about 9,300 residents. Criminal case filings, arrest data, and offender records can be searched through local offices or Georgia state databases. The clerk holds all felony case documents while the sheriff manages jail bookings and arrest records. Both take public records requests in person or by phone.

Seminole County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is where felony records are filed in Seminole County. All criminal case filings go through this office. Indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and dispositions are stored here. The clerk keeps paper records and also uses the statewide systems run by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.

To get felony records in person, bring a valid ID and the name of the person you want to search. A date of birth or case number helps. Copies cost $0.10 per page under the Open Records Act. Certified copies have a higher fee. The Seminole County Clerk of Court is at 100 S. Knox Avenue, Donalsonville, GA 39845. Call (229) 524-2525 for questions about felony records.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, criminal history data can be released to the public. The clerk must respond to requests within three business days per O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Felony conviction records are generally available to anyone.

Sheriff's Office Records

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office handles arrest records and jail bookings. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff must keep records of all people held in the county jail. These show the person's name, charges, booking date, and the court that issued the warrant.

The sheriff's office is at 208 S. Knox Avenue, Donalsonville, GA 39845. Call (229) 524-5115 to check on inmates or ask about arrest records. The sheriff can run local criminal history checks for a fee. Most agencies in Georgia charge up to $20 per person. Because Seminole County is a small rural county, the felony caseload is lighter than metro areas, but state law applies the same way here as anywhere else in Georgia.

Note: Seminole County is part of the Pataula Judicial Circuit along with several neighboring counties.

How to Search Seminole County Felony Records

Several methods exist for searching felony records in Seminole County. Online tools work from anywhere. In-person visits give the most complete view of a case.

The GDC Offender Query is free and shows state prison inmates. If someone from Seminole County was sent to state prison, their record appears here. You can search by name, GDC ID, or physical description. Results include charges, sentence length, and possible release dates.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per lookup. It checks the GCIC database for felony convictions statewide. You need the person's full name, date of birth, and sex. Results come back right away. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, this data can be released without fingerprint comparison or consent.

The Georgia Crime Information Center collects criminal history data from all 159 counties. You can request a check through the Seminole County Sheriff or directly from GCIC. For in-person searches, visit the courthouse in Donalsonville.

Seminole County Record Restrictions

Most felony records in Seminole County are public. Court files, arrest records, and booking data fall under the Open Records Act. Anyone can request them.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain arrest records can be restricted from public view if the case was never prosecuted. For arrests after July 1, 2013, contact the prosecuting attorney. For older arrests, apply at the arresting agency. Restricted records still show up for law enforcement. Felony arrest records may be automatically restricted after four years without prosecution. Serious violent felonies take seven years before automatic restriction kicks in. Convictions are almost always public in Seminole County and across Georgia.

The GBI record restrictions page explains how to apply for record restriction in Georgia. The First Offender Act under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1 may also seal some records for eligible first-time offenders.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Seminole County. Each keeps its own felony records at the local courthouse.