Heard County Criminal Records Search

Heard County stores criminal records at the sheriff's office and the Superior Court in Franklin. Arrest records, booking reports, and warrant data go through the sheriff. The court clerk holds case files, indictments, and sentencing orders. Georgia law makes most criminal records public. You can look them up in person at the courthouse or use online tools from the GBI and other state agencies. This page has the details on how to search criminal records in Heard County.

Heard County Sheriff's Office

The Heard County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency in the county. Sheriff Ross Henry leads the office, which handles arrests, serves warrants, and keeps local criminal records. If you need a copy of an arrest record or want to run a criminal history check, this office is the place to start in Heard County. They can process requests through the GCIC system and help you file under the Georgia Open Records Act.

You can visit the sheriff's office in person or call ahead to ask what you need to bring. Most criminal record requests need a photo ID and a written form. The staff can tell you the current fees and how long it takes to get your records. For general questions about criminal records in Heard County, the sheriff's office is your first point of contact.

How to Find Heard County Criminal Records

Start your search at the Heard County Sheriff's Office. Call 706-675-3329 or visit in person at PO Box 339, Franklin, GA 30217. The staff can run a criminal history check through the GCIC database. They handle arrest records, booking data, and local warrants. Most requests need a photo ID and a written form.

You can also use state tools. The Georgia offender search costs $15 and checks for felony convictions across Georgia. Results are instant but limited to felonies only. For a full criminal history, ask the sheriff's office to run a GCIC check. The GBI record restrictions page explains how the state handles these requests.

Open records requests work for court files too. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, you can ask for any public record held by a Georgia government office. The Heard County Superior Court Clerk keeps criminal case files including indictments, plea deals, and sentencing orders. Write your request with the person's full name or case number. The clerk must respond within three business days under state law.

Criminal Court Records in Heard County

Court records for criminal cases in Heard County are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Franklin. This office has files from felony trials, plea deals, and sentencing hearings. You can ask for copies of any document in a case file. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call the clerk to check the current fees.

Georgia has a statewide court system that connects many counties online. The eAccess court records website has links to court info across the state. The Georgia Courts provides search tools that may include Heard County records. For cases that went to appeal, the Georgia Supreme Court docket search covers the highest level of review.

State Resources for Heard County

Georgia runs several databases that cover criminal records from Heard County and the rest of the state. The GSCCCA lets you look up anyone in the state prison system. It is free. You search by name, GDC ID, or case number. The GDC offender query handles parole decisions and clemency for criminal cases across Georgia.

The Georgia offender search at gdc.georgia.gov is a state resource that covers Heard County criminal records.

This tool is free and open to the public for searching criminal records that may be tied to Heard County.

Criminal Record Restriction in Heard County

Certain criminal records in Heard County can be restricted from public searches. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 sets the rules. If your case was dismissed or you were acquitted, you may be able to restrict the arrest record. For arrests after July 1, 2013, talk to the prosecuting attorney directly. For arrests before that date, file at the agency that made the arrest. It costs $25 per arrest to apply.

First offenders who complete probation can have their records restricted under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60. The Georgia Legal Aid criminal records guide helps people in Georgia with this process. The Georgia Open Records Act also has free info about criminal records and your rights. Record restriction does not erase the record. It just limits who can see it outside of law enforcement.

Note: Restricted records can still be seen by law enforcement and some government agencies in Georgia.

Heard County Criminal Records Resources

Several state resources can help Heard County residents deal with criminal records. The Georgia Legal Aid criminal records guide offers legal help with record restriction and civil rights restoration across Georgia. Their staff knows the rules for each type of case.

For general info, the Georgia Open Records Act has a guide on what you should know about criminal records in Georgia. It covers the basics of checking records, understanding what shows up, and how to get errors fixed. The GCIC helpline at (404) 244-2639 can answer questions about state-level criminal history records for Heard County and all other Georgia counties.

Cities in Heard County

Heard County includes the city of Franklin and smaller communities nearby. All criminal cases from cities within Heard County go through the Heard County court system. The Superior Court Clerk in Franklin handles all case files for the county.