Lowndes County Criminal Records
Lowndes County criminal court records are held at the Judicial Complex on North Ashley Street in Valdosta. The Clerk of Superior Court runs the main office where you can search felony and misdemeanor case files, pull court dates, and get copies of case documents. Lowndes County sits in the South Georgia Judicial Circuit, and this court handles a steady flow of criminal cases each year. You can look up criminal records online through the county portal or the statewide re:SearchGA system. Walk-in visits are also an option at the clerk office in downtown Valdosta during regular business hours. The staff can help you find what you need or point you to the right tool for your search.
Lowndes County Criminal Records Quick Facts
Lowndes County Criminal Court Clerk
Beth C. Greene serves as the Clerk of Superior Court in Lowndes County. Her office manages all criminal court records filed in the county. The main clerk office is on the first floor of the Lowndes County Judicial Complex at 327 North Ashley Street in Valdosta. You can call (229) 333-5127 to check on a criminal case or ask about records. The fax line is (229) 333-7637. Karen Waldon is the Chief Deputy Clerk and can also help with criminal records requests. Office hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Bring a valid ID if you plan to visit in person.
The Lowndes County Superior Court page has details on how the court handles criminal cases and what services the clerk provides.
From this page you can find contact info, court schedules, and links to the online portal for Lowndes County criminal records. The site also lists forms you may need for various filings.
| Superior Court Clerk |
327 N. Ashley St., First Floor Valdosta, GA 31601 Phone: (229) 333-5127 Fax: (229) 333-7637 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address |
P.O. Box 1349 Valdosta, GA 31603 |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Chief Deputy Clerk | Karen Waldon |
The criminal division in Lowndes County shares space with other court divisions at the Judicial Complex. For criminal-specific questions, call (229) 333-5129 for Superior Court matters or (229) 671-3310 for State Court cases.
Searching Lowndes County Criminal Records
There are a few ways to search for criminal court records in Lowndes County. The fastest path is online. The county runs a web portal that gives real-time access to case data, court calendars, and party info. You can search by name or case number from home without making a trip to the courthouse. The portal also lets you pay fines and fees online, which saves time if you need to clear up a case in Lowndes County.
The Lowndes County Court Portal is the main online tool for searching criminal court records and other case types in the county.
Through the portal, you can check case status, view filed documents, and look up court dates for criminal cases in Lowndes County. This is a free tool. You do not need an account to run a basic search. 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 to give a reason. The agency must respond within three business days. Copy fees are $0.10 per page for standard copies, and the first 15 minutes of search time are free under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71.
To search criminal records in Lowndes County, you will need:
- Full name of the person you are looking for
- Date of birth or age if you know it
- Case number if you have one
- Type of case, such as felony or misdemeanor
Criminal Case Types in Lowndes County
Lowndes County has several courts that handle criminal matters. The Superior Court takes felony cases. These are the most serious charges, including violent crimes, drug trafficking, and theft over a certain dollar amount. The State Court handles misdemeanor cases like simple assault, minor drug possession, and traffic offenses that carry criminal penalties. Both courts sit at the Judicial Complex on North Ashley Street in Valdosta. Magistrate Court also plays a role in criminal cases by holding preliminary hearings and setting bonds. That court is in the same building and can be reached at (229) 671-2610.
Juvenile Court in Lowndes County deals with criminal matters involving minors. You can reach that office at (229) 333-5135. Juvenile records have different access rules than adult criminal records. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, certain juvenile case records are exempt from public disclosure. This means you may not be able to view those files without a court order or specific legal standing. Probate Court at (229) 671-2650 handles some related matters like mental health commitments that can tie into criminal cases.
Note: All courts in Lowndes County share the same Judicial Complex address at 327 North Ashley Street in Valdosta.
Lowndes County Records Online Tools
Beyond the local portal, Lowndes County criminal records can be found through statewide tools. The GSCCCA page for Lowndes County shows clerk contact details and links to the county filing system.
The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority indexes filings from all 159 counties. While GSCCCA focuses on real estate and lien records, it can point you to the right clerk for criminal case files in Lowndes County. A regular GSCCCA account costs $14.95 per month, and premium access runs $29.95 per month. The statewide E-Access to Court Records portal is another way to reach criminal case data from Lowndes County. You need an account to use the search tool.
The re:SearchGA portal is a multi-jurisdictional case records system that includes Lowndes County data. This tool lets you search across several Georgia counties at once, which helps if you are not sure where a case was filed.
With re:SearchGA, you can pull up case details, court dates, and party information from Lowndes County and other participating courts in Georgia. The system is free to use for basic searches.
Criminal Record Restriction in Lowndes County
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. The process 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. Lowndes 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. Georgia limits each person to two misdemeanor conviction restrictions in a lifetime.
Agencies may charge up to $50 to process a record restriction request. Serious violent felonies and sexual offenses are not eligible for restriction. Time-expired restrictions can happen on their own after certain periods pass without a final disposition from the court. For misdemeanors, that window is two years. For felonies, it is four years. Serious violent felonies have a seven-year window under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. If you want to check your own criminal history in Lowndes County, visit the local sheriff's office and ask for a Purpose Code U report. The GBI Criminal History Records Helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3 can also answer questions about your record statewide.
Note: The GBI Open Records Unit no longer accepts requests by email, so use their online portal or mail your request.
Lowndes County eFiling and Resources
Lowndes County uses the Odyssey eFileGA system for electronic filing. Attorneys and parties to a case can file motions, documents, and other court papers online instead of going to the courthouse. This creates a digital trail that becomes part of the criminal court record. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-6-11, Superior Court Clerks in Georgia may offer public access to view cases and eFiled documents through their websites. The eFileGA system runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can submit filings at any time.
The Lowndes County government website is a good starting point for finding departments and services tied to criminal court records.
The county site links to courts, the sheriff, and other offices that handle criminal cases. You can find department hours, phone numbers, and service details in one place. For open records requests that are not court-related, the County Clerk handles those at (229) 671-2400 or bocrecords@lowndescounty.com. But for criminal court records specifically, always go through the Clerk of Superior Court at (229) 333-5127.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the Georgia Crime Information Center can share criminal history data with attorneys who submit a written request with case details and subject info. Defense lawyers in Lowndes County use this path when they prep for trial. The fee is waived for defendants who cannot afford to pay.
Cities in Lowndes County
All criminal cases filed in Lowndes County cities go through the Superior Court or State Court system at the Judicial Complex in Valdosta. The courthouse on North Ashley Street is the main location for felony and misdemeanor cases from across the county.
Other cities and towns in Lowndes County include Hahira, Lake Park, Dasher, and Remerton. Criminal cases from these areas are handled by the Lowndes County court system as well.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lowndes 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.