Quitman County Criminal Records

Quitman County criminal court records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse on Main Street in Georgetown. This is one of the smallest counties in Georgia by population, but the clerk office still handles all felony and misdemeanor criminal filings. You can search for criminal records in Quitman County by calling clerk Rebecca Fendley's office, visiting in person, or using Georgia's statewide online search tools. The staff can pull case files, check court dates, and make copies of criminal court records during regular hours. Georgetown is the county seat and the central location for all Quitman County criminal case records.

Quitman County Criminal Court Clerk

Rebecca (Becky) S. Fendley is the Clerk of Superior Court in Quitman County. She manages all criminal court records for the county. The office is at 111 Main Street in Georgetown. Call (229) 334-2578 to check on a case, ask about a filing, or get info on a court date. The fax number is (229) 334-3991. Quitman County is part of the Pataula Judicial Circuit, which covers several southwest Georgia counties. Judges rotate through on a set schedule, and court may not be in session every week in a county this small. But the clerk office is open on regular business days and can help with criminal records requests any time during working hours.

The GBI Open Records Request Portal is one way to search for criminal history information that may include records from Quitman County cases.

Through this portal, you can submit requests for state-level criminal history data. The GBI collects records from all 159 Georgia counties, so this can include Quitman County case information.

Note: The GSCCCA page for Quitman County also lists clerk contact details and links to the county filing system.

Searching Quitman County Criminal Records

The most direct way to get criminal court records from Quitman County is through the clerk office in Georgetown. Call (229) 334-2578 or visit the courthouse on Main Street. Staff can look up cases by name or case number and make copies. Copy fees in Georgia are $0.10 per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. The first 15 minutes of staff search time are free. With Quitman County's very low case volume, most lookups take just a few minutes. You can also send a request by fax to (229) 334-3991 or mail one to 111 Main Street, Georgetown, GA 39854.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, criminal court records in Georgia are public. Anyone can ask for them. No reason needed. The Quitman County clerk must respond within three business days. This rule covers all Georgia counties, no matter the size. The Open Records Act gives you the right to inspect and copy criminal case files, court orders, and docket data. Records tied to an active investigation may be held back until the case is done.

Criminal Cases in Quitman County

Quitman County Superior Court handles felony cases. Drug charges, violent crimes, armed robbery, and other serious offenses go to Superior Court. Misdemeanor cases like DUI, simple battery, and petty theft also move through the local court system. Magistrate Court deals with bond hearings and preliminary hearings for criminal matters. All of these courts create records that the Quitman County Clerk stores in Georgetown. The Pataula Judicial Circuit serves this county along with Clay, Early, and Randolph counties, so the circuit judges rotate in on a schedule.

Criminal cases in Quitman County follow the same Georgia process as any other county. An arrest starts things. Charges are filed. The case goes through hearings and motions. Then it ends with either a plea deal or trial. Each step adds documents to the court record. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, records from active investigations may stay closed to the public. Once a case wraps up, most of the file opens. Basic docket info and court dates are typically available even for pending cases. Since Quitman County is so small, the court calendar is lighter than in metro areas, and the clerk staff can usually handle requests on the same day.

Note: Quitman County's small population means fewer criminal cases overall, but the same legal rules and access rights apply here as in larger counties.

Quitman County Records Online Access

Quitman County does not have its own online court records portal. For online searches, use statewide tools. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority indexes filings from all 159 counties. A regular GSCCCA account costs $14.95 a month. Premium access runs $29.95 per month. The E-Access to Court Records portal also connects to case data from Georgia courts and lets you check case status without driving to Georgetown. You need an account to search through E-Access.

For your own criminal history, visit the Quitman County Sheriff's Office and request a Purpose Code U report. The GBI Criminal History page covers the statewide process. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, some records can be restricted from public view. This covers arrests that did not lead to a conviction and certain misdemeanor convictions after a four-year waiting period. Quitman County residents file for restriction through the District Attorney's office for arrests on or after July 1, 2013. The fee can be up to $50. Georgia limits each person to two misdemeanor conviction restrictions. Serious violent felonies and sexual offenses cannot be restricted.

The GBI Open Records Unit stopped accepting email requests in December 2023. Use their portal or mail your request to P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, GA 30034. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, defense attorneys can request criminal history from the Georgia Crime Information Center by submitting a written request with case details. The GBI helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3 can answer questions about your criminal record.

Cities in Quitman County

All criminal cases from Quitman County go through the court system in Georgetown. The courthouse on Main Street handles all felony and misdemeanor filings for the county.

Georgetown is the only town of note in Quitman County. Criminal cases from anywhere in the county are processed through the Quitman County court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Quitman County. Criminal cases must be filed in the county where the arrest happened. Check where the alleged crime took place to find the right county.