Bacon County Criminal Records
Bacon County criminal court records are held at the courthouse in Alma by the Clerk of Superior Court. This South Georgia county handles felony and misdemeanor cases through its local court system, and all records are available for public review. You can search for criminal case files by visiting the clerk office, calling by phone, or using statewide online databases that include Bacon County data. The clerk staff in Alma processes records requests during normal business hours and can help you find court dates, case documents, and filing information. Most criminal record requests from Bacon County get filled quickly since the office serves a smaller population.
Bacon County Criminal Records Quick Facts
Bacon County Clerk of Superior Court
Sherry L. Tillman is the Clerk of Superior Court in Bacon County. Her office manages all criminal court records in the county. You can reach the clerk at (912) 632-4915 or send a fax to (912) 632-6545. The mailing address is PO Box 376, Alma, GA 31510. This is where you send written requests for criminal records if you cannot visit in person. Walk-in visitors are welcome at the courthouse during regular business hours.
The GSCCCA page for Bacon County shows the clerk contact info and links to the county filing system maintained by the state cooperative authority.
From the GSCCCA page, you can verify the Bacon County clerk details and access filing indexes that cover records from across the county.
| Superior Court Clerk |
PO Box 376 Alma, GA 31510 Phone: (912) 632-4915 Fax: (912) 632-6545 |
|---|---|
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Clerk Name | Sherry L. Tillman |
Note: Mail requests for Bacon County criminal records should include as much detail as you can about the case or person.
Searching Criminal Records in Bacon County
You have a few options when searching for criminal court records in Bacon County. The most direct way is to call the clerk at (912) 632-4915 or visit the courthouse in Alma. Staff can look up cases by name, date of birth, or case number. They can also make copies for you on the spot. Georgia law sets the copy fee at $0.10 per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. The first quarter hour of staff search time is free. This means most simple lookups in Bacon County cost nothing beyond the per-page copy fee.
Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, criminal court records are public in Georgia. You do not need a reason to ask for them. The clerk in Bacon County has three business days to respond to your request. This applies to all types of criminal records, from felony case files to misdemeanor dockets. You can submit your request by phone, in writing, by fax, or in person at the courthouse.
To search for criminal records in Bacon County, these details help:
- Full legal name of the person
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Case number if available
- Whether the case is a felony or misdemeanor
- Approximate date of the arrest or filing
Criminal Courts in Bacon County
Bacon County has a few courts that deal with criminal matters. Superior Court handles all felony cases. Drug charges, armed robbery, assault with intent, and other serious crimes go through this court. State Court takes misdemeanor cases. DUI, simple assault, theft under certain amounts, and criminal traffic matters are common misdemeanor filings. Magistrate Court holds preliminary hearings and sets bail. Each court creates its own set of records, and all of them end up in the Bacon County Clerk of Superior Court's files.
The criminal court process in Bacon County follows the standard Georgia path. An arrest leads to charges. The case gets filed with the appropriate court. Hearings and motions happen along the way. If the case goes to trial, there is a verdict. Sentencing follows a guilty finding. Every step creates documents that become part of the criminal court record in Bacon County. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, records of pending investigations may be exempt from public view, but court filings and docket info are typically available even for open cases.
Bacon County Records Online
Bacon County does not have its own online court records search tool. For online access, use statewide resources. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority maintains indexes for all 159 counties. While the GSCCCA system focuses on real estate and lien records, it can help you verify clerk info and find the right contact for criminal case files in Bacon County. A basic account costs $14.95 a month. Premium runs $29.95 per month.
The E-Access to Court Records portal gives you access to case data from courts across Georgia. You need to create an account to search. This system can show you basic case information, court dates, and party names. For Bacon County criminal records, this tool can save you a drive to Alma.
For a copy of your own criminal history, go to the Bacon County Sheriff's Office and ask for a Purpose Code U report. This is the standard Georgia method for personal criminal history checks. The GBI Criminal History page has details on getting your statewide record. The GBI helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3 can answer questions about your criminal history from any Georgia county, including Bacon County.
Record Restriction in Bacon County
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, Georgia allows certain criminal records to be restricted from public access. This used to be called expungement. Record restriction hides the record from public searches, but law enforcement and courts can still see it. In Bacon County, the process follows state rules. For arrests on or after July 1, 2013, contact the prosecuting attorney in the county where the arrest took place. For older arrests, go through the arresting agency. The fee can be up to $50.
Eligible records include arrests without a conviction, certain misdemeanor convictions after four years, and cases on a dead docket for more than 12 months. Georgia limits you to two misdemeanor conviction restrictions. Serious violent felonies and sex crimes are not eligible. Time-expired restrictions happen on their own when the Georgia Crime Information Center does not get a final disposition within the required period. That is two years for misdemeanors, four for felonies, and seven for serious violent felonies. Contact the GBI at (404) 244-2639 to check if your Bacon County criminal record qualifies.
Note: Victims of trafficking may qualify for free record restriction under the Survivors First Act.
Cities in Bacon County
All criminal cases from Bacon County cities and towns go through the Superior Court or State Court in Alma. The courthouse handles felony and misdemeanor cases from across the county.
Cities and towns in Bacon County include Alma. Criminal cases from this area are handled by the Bacon County court system.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Bacon County. If you are not sure which county handles a criminal case, check where the arrest happened. Criminal cases get filed in the county where the alleged offense took place.