Search Cook County Criminal Records

Cook County criminal court records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse in Adel. This small south Georgia county is part of the Alapaha Judicial Circuit, which covers five counties in the region. You can search for criminal case files by visiting the clerk office on Hutchinson Avenue or through statewide online databases. Clerk April M. Garrett and her staff handle case lookups, copies, court date checks, and filing questions. Cook County processes criminal cases through its Superior Court, State Court, and Magistrate Court. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours, and most basic requests are filled on the spot.

Cook County Clerk of Court

April M. Garrett serves as the Clerk of Superior Court in Cook County. Her office handles all criminal court records for the county. The clerk office is at 212 N. Hutchinson Ave in Adel. Call (229) 896-5032 to check on a case or ask about filings. The fax number is (229) 896-7589. This is the single location in Cook County where you can get copies of criminal case files, check court dates, and file documents tied to a criminal matter. Staff are available during normal business hours and can pull records by name or case number.

The GSCCCA page for Cook County lists the clerk contact info and connects to statewide filing records.

This page gives you Clerk Garrett's phone number, address, and access to the GSCCCA search tools that cover Cook County and all other Georgia counties.

How to Search Cook County Criminal Records

To search for criminal court records in Cook County, start by calling or visiting the clerk office in Adel. Give them a name or case number. They will pull the file and can make copies. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, criminal court records in Georgia are public. Anyone can ask for them. You do not have to state a reason. The clerk must respond within three business days. Copies cost $0.10 per page. The first 15 minutes of staff time are free under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71.

You can mail a request to 212 N. Hutchinson Ave, Adel, GA 31620. Include as much detail as you can about the person or case. The full name and date of birth are the most helpful pieces of info. Cook County is a smaller county, so requests get handled fairly fast. In person, most lookups take just a few minutes.

To search Cook County criminal records, have ready:

• Full name of the person
• Date of birth or age if known
• Case number if available
• Felony or misdemeanor designation

Criminal Cases in Cook County

Cook County Superior Court takes felony cases. Drug charges, violent crimes, theft above certain amounts, and other serious offenses go through Superior Court. The State Court handles misdemeanors like DUI, simple battery, and minor drug offenses. Magistrate Court deals with preliminary hearings, bond hearings, and warrant applications. Each court creates criminal records that the Cook County Clerk keeps on file. The Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney handles felony prosecutions across five counties, including Cook.

Every criminal case in Cook County creates a trail of records. An arrest happens. Charges get filed. The case goes through the system. Each step adds to the file. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, some records remain hidden during an active investigation. Once the case closes, most open up for public view. Basic docket data and court dates are typically available even while a case is pending. Cook County sits along Interstate 75 in south Georgia, and some cases involve traffic stops and drug seizures on the highway corridor.

Note: Juvenile cases in Cook County have different rules and may not be open for public access.

Cook County Criminal Records Online

Cook County does not run its own online court records portal. Use the statewide systems for online access. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority indexes records from all 159 counties. GSCCCA mainly covers real estate and lien filings, but it can help you find the right clerk for criminal data in Cook County. A regular account costs $14.95 per month. Premium access runs $29.95. The E-Access to Court Records portal is another statewide tool. You need an account to search, and it pulls case data from courts across Georgia.

To get your own criminal history, visit the Cook County Sheriff's Office and ask for a Purpose Code U report. The GBI Criminal History page has details on the process. You can also call the GBI helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3 for help with questions about your criminal record.

Some criminal records in Georgia can be restricted under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Arrests without a conviction may qualify. Certain misdemeanor convictions are eligible after four years. Cook County residents contact the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney for arrests on or after July 1, 2013. For older arrests, go through the arresting agency. The fee can be up to $50. Processing takes two weeks to 90 days. Georgia limits each person to two misdemeanor conviction restrictions. Serious violent felonies and sex offenses are never eligible.

Cities in Cook County

All criminal cases from cities and towns in Cook County go through the Superior Court or State Court in Adel. The courthouse on Hutchinson Avenue is where felony and misdemeanor filings are processed.

Adel is the county seat and largest city. Lenox and Sparks are other communities in the county. Criminal cases from all areas of Cook County are handled through the Adel courthouse.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cook County. If you are not sure which county handles a criminal case, check the address where the arrest took place. Criminal cases must be filed in the county where the alleged crime occurred.