Find Criminal Records in Decatur County

Decatur County criminal court records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse in Bainbridge. This southwest Georgia county sits along the Florida border and processes felony and misdemeanor criminal cases through its court system each year. You can search for criminal case files by visiting the clerk office on Water Street or by calling ahead to check on a specific case. Decatur County is part of the South Georgia Judicial Circuit. The clerk staff can pull records, verify court dates, and provide copies of case documents during regular business hours. Statewide online tools also cover Decatur County if you prefer to search from home.

Decatur County Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Superior Court in Decatur County manages all criminal court records filed in the county. The office sits at 112 W. Water Street in Bainbridge. You can call (229) 248-3025 to ask about a case, check on a filing, or request copies of criminal court documents. This is the single office in Decatur County where criminal case files are stored and made available to the public. Staff handle everything from felony case records to misdemeanor filings in one location. Walk-ins are welcome during normal business hours.

The GSCCCA page for Decatur County lists the clerk contact info and connects you to the county through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.

The GSCCCA site gives you a quick way to verify the Decatur County clerk office address, phone number, and links to statewide search tools for Georgia court records.

Note: Bring a valid photo ID when you visit the Decatur County clerk office for criminal records in person.

Searching Decatur County Criminal Records

There are a few ways to get criminal court records from Decatur County. Visiting the clerk office in Bainbridge is the most direct option. Staff can look up cases by name or case number and make copies for you right there. Copy fees in Georgia run $0.10 per page for standard copies under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. The first 15 minutes of staff search time are free. After that, the office can charge based on the hourly rate of the lowest paid employee who is able to do the work. Most simple requests in Decatur County get handled in under 15 minutes.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, criminal court records in Georgia are public. Anyone can ask to see them without giving a reason. The clerk must respond within three business days. This applies to Decatur County and every other county in the state. You can also mail a written request to the clerk at the Water Street address if you live far from Bainbridge and cannot visit in person. Include as much detail as you can about the case you are looking for to help the staff find the right records.

Criminal Cases in Decatur County

Decatur County Superior Court handles felony cases. These are the most serious charges, including violent crimes, drug trafficking, burglary, and theft over certain dollar amounts. The State Court takes misdemeanor cases like simple assault, minor drug possession, and traffic offenses that carry criminal penalties. Both courts share the courthouse in Bainbridge. Magistrate Court also plays a role by holding preliminary hearings and setting bonds for criminal defendants. All of these courts create records that the Decatur County Clerk of Superior Court keeps on file.

Decatur County borders Florida to the south. Cases from the border area sometimes raise questions about which state has jurisdiction. If the arrest took place in Decatur County, the case stays in the Georgia court system. Each step of a criminal case creates records. An arrest leads to booking records. Charges get filed in the court. Hearings, motions, and trial documents all become part of the case file. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, records from active investigations may stay exempt from public view until the case wraps up.

To search criminal records in Decatur County, you will need:

• Full name of the person you are looking for
• Date of birth or age if known
• Case number if you have one
• Whether the charge is a felony or misdemeanor
• Approximate date range of the case

Decatur County Records Online Access

Decatur County does not run its own online court records portal. For online access, you can use statewide tools that cover all Georgia counties. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority indexes filings from all 159 counties. GSCCCA focuses mainly on real estate and lien filings, but it can point you to the right clerk for criminal data in Decatur County. A regular GSCCCA account costs $14.95 per month. Premium access runs $29.95 per month.

The E-Access to Court Records portal connects to case data from courts across Georgia. You will need an account to use the search tool. For Decatur County criminal records, this can save you a trip to Bainbridge when all you need is basic case status info. The system pulls data from participating courts and shows court dates, party names, and case details.

For your own criminal history, visit the Decatur County Sheriff's Office and ask for a Purpose Code U report. The GBI Criminal History page has more details on how to get your statewide record. The GBI Criminal History Records Helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3 can answer questions about your record, including any cases from Decatur County.

Decatur County Record Restriction

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. Record restriction applies to arrests that did not lead to a conviction, certain misdemeanor convictions after a four-year wait, and cases placed on a dead docket for more than 12 months. Decatur County residents can start this process through the District Attorney's office for arrests on or after July 1, 2013. For older arrests, contact the arresting law enforcement agency directly.

Agencies may charge up to $50 to process a restriction request. The process takes anywhere from two weeks to 90 days. Georgia limits each person to two misdemeanor conviction restrictions in a lifetime. Serious violent felonies and sexual offenses are not eligible. Time-expired restrictions can happen on their own. If the Georgia Crime Information Center does not receive a final disposition within two years for a misdemeanor, four years for a felony, or seven years for a serious violent felony, the record may be restricted automatically. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GCIC can share criminal history data with defense attorneys who submit a written request for trial preparation. The fee is waived for defendants who cannot afford to pay.

Note: The GBI Open Records Unit no longer accepts requests by email, so use their online portal or send your request by mail.

Cities in Decatur County

All criminal cases from cities and towns in Decatur County go through the Superior Court or State Court in Bainbridge. The courthouse on Water Street is the main location for all felony and misdemeanor filings from the county.

Cities and towns in Decatur County include Bainbridge, Climax, and Brinson. Criminal cases from all of these areas are processed through the Decatur County court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Decatur 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.