Access Savannah Criminal Records
Savannah criminal records come from the Chatham County Sheriff, local police, and the Georgia court system. Whether you need an arrest report, a court case file, or a full criminal history check, there are several paths to get what you need. State databases from the GBI and the Department of Corrections also hold records tied to Savannah cases. Here is what you need to know about finding criminal records in Savannah.
Savannah Quick Facts
Chatham County Handles Savannah Records
Savannah is in Chatham County, and criminal records for Savannah residents are handled at the county level. The Chatham County Sheriff's Office processes arrest records, booking reports, and criminal history checks. Sheriff Richard Coleman leads the office. You can reach them at 912-652-7600. The Chatham County Superior Court Clerk has court case files including felony indictments, plea agreements, and sentencing orders.
Criminal cases that happen in Savannah go through the Chatham County court system. The Superior Court handles felonies. State Court takes misdemeanors. Magistrate Court deals with minor offenses and preliminary hearings. For more about the county-level criminal records system, visit the Chatham County criminal records page.
Savannah Police and Criminal Records
The Savannah Police Records Unit is at 602 East Lathrop Avenue on the second floor. You can get a police report in person Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Reports can also be requested by phone at 912-651-3617, by fax at 912-525-1748, or by email at SPDrecords@savannahga.gov. It may take up to 3 business days to process. Victims of domestic violence get free copies of Family Violence Incident Reports.
| Agency | Savannah Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 602 East Lathrop Avenue (Northwest Precinct, 2nd Floor) |
| Phone | (912) 651-3617 |
| SPDrecords@savannahga.gov | |
| Website | savannahpd.org/ |
How to Find Savannah Criminal Records
Start with the Chatham County Sheriff's Office at 912-652-7600. They can run criminal history checks and pull arrest records. Walk-in visits work well for quick requests. For court case files, go to the Chatham County Superior Court Clerk. They have records from felony trials, plea deals, and sentencing hearings.
State databases also cover Savannah. The Georgia Justice Project lets you look up anyone in the state prison system for free. The eAccess court records checks for felony convictions at $15 per search. The Georgia Pardons and Paroles may have Chatham County cases online too.
Georgia's Open Records Act under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 gives you the right to request criminal records from any government office. Put your request in writing with as much detail as you can. The first 15 minutes of search time are free and copies cost about $0.10 per page. This applies to records held by the Chatham County Sheriff and courts that cover Savannah.
Note: Some records from active investigations are exempt from disclosure under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
State Criminal Record Resources for Savannah
Several state agencies hold criminal records that cover Savannah and all of Georgia. The Georgia Justice Project lets you look up anyone in the state prison system for free. The Georgia Felon Search handles parole and clemency cases. The GBI record restrictions page outlines your right to access public records from any Georgia government office.
The Georgia Pardons and Paroles at pap.georgia.gov covers criminal records searches for Savannah and all Georgia locations.
Use this state resource to find criminal records tied to Savannah cases.
You can also check the GBI GCIC FAQ page at gbi.georgia.gov for records that may be tied to Savannah.
This free tool covers all of Georgia including cases from Savannah.
Criminal Record Restriction for Savannah Residents
Georgia allows certain criminal records to be restricted from public view under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. If charges were dropped or you were acquitted, you may qualify. For arrests after July 1, 2013, contact the prosecuting attorney. For older arrests, apply through the arresting agency. The fee is $25 per arrest. The Georgia Courts has the full details.
The First Offender Act under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60 lets first-time offenders who complete probation have their records restricted. The GDC offender query helps people in Georgia with record restriction, pardons, and civil rights restoration. The GBI criminal history FAQ also covers what Savannah residents should know about their criminal records.
Note: Record restriction limits who can see the record but does not destroy it.
Savannah Criminal Records County Link
Savannah is part of Chatham County. All criminal filings go through the Chatham County court system. For complete details on the county sheriff, court clerk, fees, and more resources, visit the full county page.
Nearby Cities with Criminal Records
These cities are also in Chatham County or nearby. Criminal records for all of them go through the same county court system. Select a city for local details about criminal records access.