Find Worth County Felony Records

Felony records in Worth County are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in Sylvester. This south Georgia county has a population of about 20,000 and sits between Albany and Tifton. The clerk stores all criminal case documents from the Superior Court, including indictments through final sentencing orders. The sheriff tracks arrests and jail bookings. You can search for felony records at the Sylvester courthouse, by mail, or through Georgia's statewide online search tools.

Worth County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is the main custodian of felony records in Worth County. All criminal cases filed in the Worth County Superior Court pass through this office. Grand jury indictments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing orders, and post-conviction motions are all part of the case record.

The clerk's office is at 201 N. Main Street, Sylvester, GA 31791. Bring a valid photo ID and the full name of the person you are looking up. A date of birth or case number makes the search faster. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, the clerk must make public records available within three business days. Copies cost $0.10 per page. Certified copies carry a higher fee. Call (229) 776-8205 for questions about felony case records.

Worth County processes a moderate number of felony cases for its size. The Tifton Judicial Circuit covers Worth along with Tift County. The clerk's staff can help you locate both current and archived case files. Walk-in and mail requests are both accepted at the office.

Worth County Sheriff's Office

The Worth County Sheriff's Office handles arrest records and the county jail. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff must maintain records of everyone booked into custody. These records list the person's name, charges, arrest date, bond information, and court assignment.

The sheriff is at 201 N. Main Street, Sylvester, GA 31791. The sheriff and clerk share the same address at the county government complex. Call (229) 776-8211 for arrest data or to check on someone in jail. Walk-in requests are accepted during business hours. Criminal history checks through the sheriff cost up to $20 under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34.

Since both offices are at the same location, you can check arrest records and court documents in one trip. The sheriff has the booking data while the clerk has the court case files. For a full picture of any felony case, check both.

Online Search Tools for Worth County

Worth County does not have its own online criminal case search. Georgia's statewide databases include Worth County felony records.

The GDC Offender Query is free and covers all current and past Georgia state prison inmates. If a Worth County felony conviction resulted in prison, the offender will show up here. Search by name or GDC ID. Results show charges, sentence length, facility, and release dates.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per name. It checks the GCIC database for all felony convictions in Georgia. You need the full name, date of birth, and sex. Results are instant. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, no fingerprints are required. Even a "no record found" result costs $15.

The GSCCCA connects all 159 county clerk offices in Georgia. Case index data from Worth County may be available through this system. It is helpful for cross-county searches and for verifying case numbers before contacting the clerk directly.

The GBI contact page shown above provides information on how to reach the GBI for criminal history requests that include Worth County data.

Record Restrictions

Worth County felony records are public under the Georgia Open Records Act. Court filings, arrest data, and conviction records can be requested by anyone. Agencies have three business days to respond. Some exceptions apply.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, arrest records can be restricted when charges are dropped or the person is acquitted. For arrests after July 1, 2013, the prosecutor may restrict them automatically. Older records need a formal petition to the arresting agency. The First Offender Act under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1 lets some first-time offenders seal their records after completing probation. Serious violent felonies per O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1 cannot be sealed. Most Worth County felony convictions stay on the public record permanently.

State Agency Resources

The GCIC at the GBI collects criminal history from all Georgia counties, including Worth. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, GCIC keeps complete records. You can request a check through the Worth County Sheriff or from GCIC directly.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles tracks parole for offenders convicted in Worth County. The GBI's Open Records Request Portal handles formal criminal history requests covering Worth County cases.

Fees

Standard copies cost $0.10 per page. Certified copies are about $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 per page after. Georgia Felon Search is $15. GBI background checks cost $20. Sheriff criminal history checks are up to $20. The GDC Offender Query is free. Mail requests should include a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Worth County or are nearby in south Georgia. Each has its own clerk and sheriff handling felony records.