Effingham County Criminal Records Search

Effingham County criminal court records are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse in Springfield. This growing county sits just northwest of Savannah and processes a rising number of felony and misdemeanor criminal cases each year. You can search for criminal case files by visiting the clerk office on North Pine Street, calling ahead, or using statewide online search tools. Effingham County is part of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit, and all criminal filings from across the county come through the Springfield courthouse. The clerk staff can pull case records, check court dates, and provide copies of documents during regular office hours.

Effingham County Criminal Court Clerk

Elizabeth Z. Hursey is the Clerk of Superior Court in Effingham County. Her office handles all criminal court records filed in the county. The main office is at 700 North Pine Street, Suite 110, in Springfield. Call (912) 754-2118 to check on a case or request criminal court documents. The fax line is (912) 754-6023. This is the central location in Effingham County where you can get copies of criminal case files, look up court dates, and file documents connected to a criminal matter. Staff handle walk-in requests during normal business hours.

Effingham County has been one of the faster-growing counties in the Savannah metro area. That growth means more people, which means more cases moving through the court system. The clerk office stays busy but still handles most basic requests the same day you come in.

The GSCCCA page for Effingham County lists the clerk contact information through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.

From the GSCCCA site, you can verify the clerk address and phone number, plus find links to statewide tools for searching Effingham County criminal records.

Searching Effingham County Criminal Records

You can search for criminal court records in Effingham County several ways. The most direct path is to visit the clerk office in Springfield. Staff can look up cases by name or case number and make copies for you. 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 search time are free. After that, the office may charge based on the hourly rate of the lowest paid employee who can do the work. Most simple lookups in Effingham County take just a few minutes.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, criminal court records in Georgia are public. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not need a reason. The clerk must respond within three business days. This applies to Effingham County and every other county in the state. You can also mail a written request to the clerk at the North Pine Street address if you cannot get to Springfield in person.

To search criminal records in Effingham 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
• Type of case, such as felony or misdemeanor

Note: Bring a valid photo ID when visiting the Effingham County clerk office in person for criminal records.

Criminal Case Types in Effingham County

Effingham County Superior Court handles all felony cases. These include drug trafficking, armed robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and other serious criminal charges. The State Court takes misdemeanor cases like DUI, simple battery, shoplifting, and minor drug possession. Both courts operate from the courthouse in Springfield. Magistrate Court handles preliminary hearings and bond settings for criminal defendants. Each of these courts creates records that the Effingham County Clerk of Superior Court keeps on file and makes available to the public.

The county's position near Savannah means that some residents may have cases in both Effingham and Chatham counties. Criminal cases must be filed in the county where the arrest took place. If you are not sure which county has the case, check the arrest location. The Effingham County Clerk can tell you if a case was filed there or if you need to check with another county. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, records from active investigations may stay exempt from public view until the case finishes. Once resolved, most records become fully public.

Effingham County Records Online Access

For online access to Effingham County criminal records, statewide tools are available. 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 help you find the right clerk for criminal case data. A regular GSCCCA account runs $14.95 per month. Premium access costs $29.95 per month. You do not need an account to look up clerk contact info.

The E-Access to Court Records portal connects to case data from courts across Georgia. You need an account to search. For Effingham County criminal records, this is a good way to check case status without driving to Springfield. The system pulls data from participating courts and shows basic case info, court dates, and party names.

For your own criminal history, visit the Effingham County Sheriff's Office and ask for a Purpose Code U report. The GBI Criminal History page explains how to get your statewide criminal record. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, some criminal records can be restricted from public view. Arrests without a conviction and certain misdemeanor convictions after a four-year wait may qualify. Effingham County residents can start the restriction process through the District Attorney's office for arrests on or after July 1, 2013. Agencies may charge up to $50 for the request.

Criminal Record Restriction in Effingham County

Record restriction is the process Georgia uses to limit public access to certain criminal history records. It used to be called expungement. The records are not deleted. They are just hidden from public searches. Law enforcement and judges can still see them. In Effingham County, you contact the District Attorney for arrests after July 1, 2013. For older arrests, go through the arresting law enforcement agency. The process takes between two weeks and 90 days depending on the case and how fast the agency responds.

Georgia limits each person to two misdemeanor conviction restrictions in their lifetime. Serious violent felonies and sexual offenses do not qualify. Time-expired restrictions happen automatically if the Georgia Crime Information Center does not get a final disposition within two years for a misdemeanor, four years for a felony, or seven years for a serious violent felony. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GCIC can share criminal history data with defense attorneys who submit a written request with case details and subject info. Lawyers in Effingham County use this when they prep for trial. The fee is waived for defendants who cannot afford to pay. Call the GBI at (404) 244-2639 option 3 to check on your record status.

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 Effingham County

All criminal cases from cities and towns in Effingham County go through the Superior Court or State Court in Springfield. The courthouse on North Pine Street is the main location for felony and misdemeanor filings from across the county.

Cities and towns in Effingham County include Springfield, Rincon, Guyton, and Clyo. Criminal cases from all of these areas are processed through the Effingham County court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Effingham 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.