Find Criminal Records in Newton County

Newton County criminal court records are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse in Covington. The clerk handles all felony and misdemeanor case files for the county, and records can be searched in person or through statewide online databases. Newton County is part of the growing east metro Atlanta area and processes a significant number of criminal cases each year. Staff at the clerk office pull case files, check court dates, and make copies of criminal court records during regular business hours. The Covington courthouse is the sole location for criminal record keeping in Newton County. Walk-ins are welcome, and most standard requests get filled on the same visit.

Newton County Criminal Court Clerk

The Clerk of Superior Court in Newton County is the official keeper of all criminal court records. The office sits at 1132 Usher Street in Covington. You can call (770) 784-2035 to ask about a case, check on a filing status, or get info about court dates. This is the office that stores every criminal case file in Newton County. Staff can search by name or case number, pull the file, and make copies for you. Newton County has grown a lot in recent years, so the court system processes more cases than it used to. Even so, the clerk staff work through requests steadily, and most people get what they need during a single visit.

The GSCCCA page for Newton County has clerk contact details and links to the statewide filing records that include Newton County criminal court data.

From the GSCCCA page you can see the Newton County clerk address and phone number. It also connects to the statewide filing index from the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.

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

Searching Newton County Criminal Records

You can search for criminal court records in Newton County a few different ways. Going to the clerk office in Covington is the quickest. Staff can look up cases by name or case number and print copies for you. Georgia sets copy fees at $0.10 per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. The first 15 minutes of search time are free. After that, the clerk office may charge a fee based on the lowest paid qualified employee's hourly rate. For most criminal record requests in Newton County, the search takes less than 15 minutes, so you will not pay beyond the per-page copy cost.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, criminal court records in Georgia are open to the public. No reason needs to be given for your request. The clerk must respond within three business days. You can mail a written request to 1132 Usher Street, Covington, GA 30014. Include the full name of the person, case numbers if you know them, and a check or money order for copy fees. Mailed requests take a few extra days because of postage each way.

When searching Newton County criminal records, having these details helps the clerk find what you need:

• Full name of the person
• Date of birth or approximate age
• Case number if you have it
• Whether the case is a felony or misdemeanor
• Approximate date of the arrest or charge

Criminal Cases in Newton County

Newton County Superior Court hears felony cases. Violent crimes, drug trafficking, theft above certain dollar amounts, and other serious charges go through this court. The State Court handles misdemeanor matters. DUI, simple assault, minor drug possession, and criminal traffic violations are typical State Court cases in Newton County. Magistrate Court sets bonds and holds preliminary hearings for criminal cases. Each of these courts produces records that the Newton County Clerk of Superior Court stores and maintains.

The criminal case process in Newton County works the same as the rest of Georgia. An arrest is made. Charges are filed. The case moves through the system with hearings and possibly a trial. Every step creates documents that go into the case file. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, records from active criminal investigations are shielded from public view. Once the investigation wraps up, the records open to anyone who asks. Basic docket info and court dates are generally accessible even for cases still pending in Newton County. The District Attorney prosecutes felonies and the Solicitor General handles misdemeanors, and both offices generate records that become part of the criminal court file.

Newton County Criminal Records Online

Newton County does not run its own public online court records search portal. For online access, statewide tools are your best bet. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority indexes filings from all 159 counties. GSCCCA mainly covers real estate and lien records, but it connects you to the right clerk for criminal case data in Newton County. A standard account costs $14.95 a month, and premium access is $29.95.

The E-Access to Court Records portal is another option. This statewide tool connects to case data from courts across Georgia. You need an account. For Newton County criminal records, this is a way to check case status from home without driving to Covington. The Georgia Supreme Court Docket Search tracks appeals. If a criminal case from Newton County went to a higher court, you can find it there.

For your own criminal history, visit the Newton County Sheriff's Office and ask for a Purpose Code U report. The GBI Criminal History Records Helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3 is another resource for questions about your statewide record. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, some criminal records can be restricted from public view. This applies to arrests that did not lead to conviction and certain misdemeanor convictions after a four-year waiting period.

Record Restriction in Newton County

Record restriction is Georgia's way of limiting public access to certain criminal history records. It is not the same as erasing the record. The file stays in the system but gets sealed from public view. Law enforcement and the courts retain access. In Newton County, the process follows state rules. For arrests on or after July 1, 2013, contact the District Attorney. For arrests before that date, work with the arresting agency. Agencies can charge up to $50 to process a restriction request. The timeline is two weeks to 90 days depending on the complexity of the case.

Georgia allows each person up to two lifetime restrictions for misdemeanor convictions. Serious violent felonies and sexual offenses are never eligible. Automatic time-expired restrictions can happen 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. To check if your Newton County criminal record qualifies for restriction, contact the GBI at (404) 244-2639 option 3.

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 Newton County

All criminal cases from cities and towns in Newton County go through the Superior Court or State Court in Covington. The courthouse on Usher Street is the location for felony and misdemeanor filings from across the county.

Cities and towns in Newton County include Covington, Oxford, Porterdale, Mansfield, and Newborn. Criminal cases from all of these areas are handled by the Newton County court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Newton 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.