Search Franklin County Criminal Records

Franklin County criminal court records are filed and stored at the Clerk of Superior Court office in Carnesville. This northeast Georgia county processes felony and misdemeanor cases through its court system, and the clerk office is the main point of access for anyone who needs case files or docket info. You can visit in person at the courthouse or mail a written request. Statewide online tools also let you search for Franklin County criminal records from home. The clerk staff can help with copy requests, court date lookups, and filing questions during regular business hours. Franklin County sits along Interstate 85 between Atlanta and the South Carolina border.

Franklin County Clerk of Court

Melissa A. Holbrook is the Clerk of Superior Court in Franklin County. Her office manages all criminal court records for the county. The mailing address is PO Box 70, Carnesville, GA 30521. Call (706) 384-2514 to ask about a case or find out about filing procedures. Staff at this office can pull criminal case files, check court dates, and make copies of records. Walk-ins are welcome during normal hours. Most standard requests can be filled the same day, though archived files may take a bit longer to locate.

The GSCCCA page for Franklin County lists the clerk contact details and connects to the statewide filing index that includes Franklin County court records.

From this page you can verify the Franklin County clerk address, phone, and find links to the statewide records index run by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.

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

Searching Franklin County Criminal Records

Visiting the clerk office in Carnesville is the most direct way to search for criminal court records in Franklin County. Staff look up cases by name or case number and make copies on the spot. Standard copy fees run $0.10 per page in Georgia. The first 15 minutes of staff search time are free under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. After that, the office can charge based on the hourly rate of the lowest paid employee qualified to do the work. Most criminal record lookups in Franklin County are quick and stay within the free search window.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, criminal court records in Georgia are public records. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not need a reason. The clerk must respond within three business days. This applies to Franklin County and all other Georgia counties. You can mail a written request to PO Box 70, Carnesville, GA 30521 if you cannot visit in person. Include the full name, any case numbers, and payment for copies.

It helps to have these details when you search Franklin County criminal records:

• Full name of the person
• Date of birth or age if you know it
• Case number if available
• Type of case (felony or misdemeanor)
• Approximate date of arrest or filing

Criminal Cases in Franklin County

Franklin County Superior Court handles felony cases. Drug trafficking, armed robbery, aggravated assault, and other serious charges go through this court. The State Court takes misdemeanor cases. Simple battery, minor drug possession, DUI, and criminal trespass are common charges at this level. Magistrate Court processes preliminary hearings, bond settings, and warrant applications. All three courts generate records that the Franklin County Clerk keeps on file.

Franklin County shares the Northern Judicial Circuit with several neighboring counties, including Elbert and Hart counties. The District Attorney handles felony cases across the circuit, and the Solicitor General manages misdemeanors. Both offices produce documents that become part of the criminal court record in Franklin County. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, records from active investigations may be withheld from the public. Once the case closes, most records become available. Even during an open case, basic docket data and court dates are usually accessible.

Franklin County Records Online

Franklin County does not have its own online court records search tool. For online access to criminal records from this county, use statewide resources. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority indexes filings from all 159 counties. GSCCCA mainly covers real estate and liens, but it can help you find the right clerk for criminal data. A standard account is $14.95 a month, and premium access costs $29.95 per month.

The E-Access to Court Records portal connects you to case data from courts across Georgia. You need an account to search. For Franklin County criminal records, this tool lets you check case status from home instead of making the trip to Carnesville. The system shows basic case info, party names, and upcoming court dates.

For your own criminal history, visit the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and request a Purpose Code U report. This is the standard process for personal criminal history requests in Georgia. The GBI Criminal History Records Helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3 can help with questions about your record. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain criminal records can be restricted from public view. Arrests that did not lead to a conviction and some misdemeanor convictions after a four-year wait may qualify. Franklin County residents start the process through the District Attorney for arrests on or after July 1, 2013.

Note: Agencies in Georgia may charge up to $50 to handle a criminal record restriction request.

Franklin County Criminal Record Restriction

Record restriction hides certain criminal records from public searches in Georgia. The old term was expungement. The records do not get deleted, but they are no longer visible to the general public. Law enforcement and judges can still see them. In Franklin County, the process works the same as the rest of Georgia. For arrests after July 1, 2013, contact the District Attorney. For older arrests, reach out to the arresting agency. The fee can be up to $50, and the process runs anywhere from two weeks to 90 days depending on the case.

Georgia caps each person at two misdemeanor conviction restrictions. Serious violent felonies and sex offenses are not eligible. Time-expired restrictions may kick in if GCIC does not receive a final disposition within two years for a misdemeanor or four years for a felony. To check if your Franklin County criminal record qualifies for restriction, call the GBI at (404) 244-2639 option 3.

Cities in Franklin County

All criminal cases from cities and towns in Franklin County go through the Superior Court or State Court in Carnesville. The courthouse is the main spot for felony and misdemeanor filings from across the county.

Cities and towns in Franklin County include Carnesville, Canon, Lavonia, Royston, and Franklin Springs. Criminal cases from all these areas are processed through the Franklin County court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Franklin County in northeast Georgia. Criminal cases must be filed in the county where the crime took place. Check the arrest address to figure out which county handles the case.