Burke County Criminal Records Search
Burke County criminal court records are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court in Waynesboro. The clerk office on East 6th Street is where all felony and misdemeanor case filings are stored for this east Georgia county. Burke County is part of the Augusta Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Richmond County. You can search for criminal records by visiting the clerk office in person, calling to check on a case, or using statewide online tools that index Georgia court records. The staff at the Waynesboro courthouse can pull case files, look up court dates, and provide copies of criminal court documents during regular business hours.
Burke County Criminal Records Quick Facts
Burke County Court Clerk Office
The Clerk of Superior Court in Burke County manages all criminal court records for the county. The office sits at 111 E. 6th Street in Waynesboro. Call (706) 554-2279 to ask about a case or check on a court date. The clerk staff can search by name or case number and pull case files for review. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours on weekdays. Bring a valid ID. Standard copy fees are $0.10 per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, and the first 15 minutes of search time come at no charge.
Burke County shares the Augusta Judicial Circuit with Richmond County, which means the District Attorney out of Augusta handles felony prosecutions for both counties. This connection to the Augusta court system is something to keep in mind if you are tracking a criminal case that crosses county lines between Burke and Richmond. The clerk in Waynesboro handles only Burke County filings.
The GSCCCA page for Burke County lists the clerk contact info and links to the county filing system.
Use the GSCCCA site to confirm the Burke County clerk address and phone number before you visit or call.
| Superior Court Clerk |
111 E. 6th Street Waynesboro, GA 30830 Phone: (706) 554-2279 |
|---|---|
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | Augusta Judicial Circuit |
Searching Burke County Criminal Records
There are a few paths to search for criminal court records in Burke County. You can call the clerk at (706) 554-2279 and ask about a specific case. The staff can look it up by name or case number and tell you what is on file. In-person visits at the Waynesboro courthouse are another option. For online searching, the E-Access to Court Records portal connects to case data from Georgia courts, including Burke County. You will need an account to search.
Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, criminal court records in Georgia are public records. Anyone can ask to see them without providing a reason. The Burke County Clerk must respond within three business days. If you are charged a search fee, it cannot exceed the prorated hourly salary of the lowest paid employee qualified to handle the request. These open records rules are the same for Burke County as they are for every other county in the state.
To search criminal records in Burke County, have the following ready:
- Full name of the person you are looking for
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Case number if available
- Type of charge, felony or misdemeanor
Criminal Cases in Burke County
Burke County Superior Court handles all felony criminal cases. Violent crimes, drug trafficking, and major theft cases go through this court at the Waynesboro courthouse. The District Attorney for the Augusta Judicial Circuit prosecutes felony cases from Burke County. Magistrate Court handles preliminary hearings, bonds, and county ordinance violations. Both courts create criminal court records that the Burke County Clerk stores and maintains.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, some criminal records in Georgia can be restricted from public view. This used to be called expungement. It applies to arrests without convictions, certain misdemeanor convictions after a four-year wait, and cases on a dead docket for more than 12 months. Burke County residents can begin the restriction process through the District Attorney for arrests on or after July 1, 2013. For older arrests, contact the arresting law enforcement agency. Georgia caps each person at two misdemeanor conviction restrictions in their lifetime. Serious violent felonies and sexual offenses are never eligible for restriction.
Note: Agencies may charge up to $50 to process a criminal record restriction request.
Burke County Records Online
Burke County does not have its own online case search portal. Statewide tools are the main way to search criminal court records from this county online. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority indexes filings from all 159 Georgia counties. GSCCCA focuses on real estate and lien records, but it can direct you to the right clerk for criminal case files in Burke County. A regular account costs $14.95 per month, and premium access is $29.95 per month.
For your own criminal history, visit the Burke County Sheriff's Office and ask for a Purpose Code U report. The GBI Criminal History page explains the process. Call the GBI helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3 for questions about your statewide record. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, pending investigations and confidential informant info are exempt from public access. Once an investigation is done, the records open up to the public.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, attorneys can request criminal history records from the Georgia Crime Information Center for trial preparation. The request must include the case style, case number, and subject info. Fees are waived for indigent defendants. For trafficking victims, the Survivors First Act under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-21 allows free record restriction. Time-expired restrictions may also kick in automatically in Burke County if no final disposition is reported within two years for misdemeanors, four years for felonies, or seven years for serious violent felonies.
Note: The GBI Open Records Unit stopped accepting email requests in late 2023, so use their online portal or mail.
Cities in Burke County
All criminal cases from Burke County cities go through the Superior Court or Magistrate Court at the courthouse in Waynesboro. The clerk office on East 6th Street handles all criminal case records for the county.
Cities and towns in Burke County include Waynesboro, Midville, Sardis, and Girard. Criminal cases from these areas are processed through the Burke County court system.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Burke County. Criminal cases must be filed in the county where the alleged crime occurred. Check where the arrest happened if you are not sure which county has the case.