Richmond County Criminal Court Records

Richmond County criminal court records are held by the Clerk of Superior, State and Juvenile Court at the Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building on James Brown Boulevard. Augusta and Richmond County merged in 1996, so this one clerk office now serves the whole consolidated area. You can search criminal case data online through the clerk's Case Management portal or go in person during weekday hours. The criminal felony line takes calls at (706) 821-1295 and the misdemeanor line at (706) 821-1216. Both phone lines connect you to staff who can pull case files or check court dates. The Richmond County Sheriff also runs a records bureau for background checks on a limited schedule.

Richmond County Criminal Court Clerk

The Clerk of Superior, State and Juvenile Court handles all criminal court records in Richmond County. This office sits at 735 James Brown Boulevard, Suite 1500, in Augusta. The main phone is (706) 821-2460. Staff are there from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. You can call that line and get routed to the right division for your case type. For criminal felony matters, call (706) 821-1295. For misdemeanor cases, use (706) 821-1216. Traffic citations go through (706) 821-1219. Each division keeps its own set of files, but all fall under the same clerk office. Walk-ins are welcome at the courthouse. Bring a valid ID when you come in to ask for records.

The GSCCCA page for Richmond County lists the clerk contact info and links to statewide filing data for this county.

From the GSCCCA site, you can find the clerk address, phone lines, and links to other statewide search tools that index Richmond County criminal records. The GSCCCA also tracks real estate filings and lien records, though its main use for criminal matters is pointing you to the right local office. A regular GSCCCA account runs $14.95 per month.

Note: The clerk office is closed on all state holidays and some federal ones, so call ahead if you plan to visit near a holiday.

Search Richmond County Criminal Records

There are a few ways to look up criminal court records in Richmond County. The clerk office runs a Case Management Search portal online. You can search by party name, case number, or date. The system covers both civil and criminal case types. This is the quickest way to check on a case from home without calling or driving to the courthouse. The online tool is free to use. It shows case status, charges, court dates, and some filing details. For full documents or certified copies, you still need to go in person or mail a written request to the clerk.

The Richmond County Court Records site gives you direct access to search criminal case data and other court filings in the county.

This portal lets you look up pending and closed criminal cases in Richmond County. You can filter results by case type, which helps when you only want felony or misdemeanor records. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, criminal court records in Georgia are public. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The agency must respond within three business days. Copy fees are $0.10 per page, and the first 15 minutes of search time come at no charge under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71.

To search for criminal records in Richmond County, you will need:

• Full name of the person you are looking for
• Date of birth or rough age if you have it
• Case number if one was given to you
• Type of case (felony, misdemeanor, or traffic)

Richmond County Courts and Criminal Cases

Richmond County has several courts that deal with criminal matters. The Superior Court takes felony cases. These include violent crimes, drug charges, and other serious offenses. The State Court handles misdemeanors. Both sit at 735 James Brown Boulevard in Augusta and share the same clerk office. Magistrate Court is on the same block at Suite 1400, phone (706) 821-2370. That court does preliminary hearings, bond matters, and minor criminal cases. Probate Court is at Suite 1000, phone (706) 821-2434. While probate mostly deals with estates and wills, it can handle some minor offenses. Juvenile Court also runs through the same clerk office at (706) 821-2460 for cases involving minors under 17.

The Augusta Judicial Circuit covers Richmond County. This circuit has its own set of judges who rotate through criminal and civil terms. When a felony case is filed in Richmond County, it goes to a Superior Court judge in this circuit. The District Attorney for the Augusta Judicial Circuit handles all felony prosecutions. Misdemeanor cases go to the Solicitor General. Each of these offices creates records that end up in the clerk files. 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 a conviction, certain misdemeanor convictions after a four-year wait, and cases on a dead docket for more than 12 months.

Note: Juvenile court records in Richmond County are not open to the public under Georgia law except in limited situations.

Richmond County Background Checks

The Richmond County Sheriff's Department runs a Records Bureau that handles background checks. Call (706) 821-1010 to set up an appointment. Background checks cost $10 and must be paid in cash only. The bureau is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, by appointment only. You must be at least 17 years old. Bring a valid photo ID and your original Social Security card. No copies of the SSN card are accepted. You must also fill out and sign a consent form at the office. If someone else is running a check on you, they need a signed consent form from you as well.

This is a way to get your own Georgia criminal history report. Ask for a "Purpose Code U" report. That is the standard way to get your own record for personal use. The report pulls data from the Georgia Crime Information Center and shows arrest data, charges, and dispositions from courts across the state, not just Richmond County. The GBI Criminal History Records Helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3 can answer questions about your statewide record if you need more detail than the local report gives you.

For defense lawyers in Richmond County, O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34 lets attorneys get criminal history records from the GCIC by sending a written request with the case style, case number, and subject info. Fees for this service are waived if the defendant is indigent. Attorneys in the Augusta Judicial Circuit use this path often when building a defense.

Online Tools for Richmond County Records

Besides the local clerk portal, there are statewide tools that cover Richmond County criminal court records. The Georgia E-Access to Court Records portal connects you to case data from counties across the state. You need an account to search. This system is run by the Georgia Judicial Branch and pulls from local court databases. It can show you case status, hearing dates, and some document images from Richmond County courts.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority indexes filings from all 159 counties. While GSCCCA focuses on real estate and liens, it can point you to the right clerk for criminal case files. A regular account costs $14.95 per month and premium runs $29.95 per month. The FANS system is free and lets you set alerts when new filings show up in a name you are watching.

The GBI Criminal History page has info on how to get your own criminal record or request records for someone else. For your own history, the easiest route in Richmond County is the sheriff's office. For broader checks, the GBI Open Records Unit takes requests through their online portal since they no longer accept email requests as of December 2023.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, some criminal records are exempt from public access. This includes records of pending investigations, confidential informant data, and anything that could put someone's safety at risk. Completed investigations are public though, and you can get those records from the Richmond County clerk or the relevant law enforcement agency.

Note: The GBI Open Records Unit accepts requests only through their public portal or by mail now, not email.

Criminal Record Restriction in Richmond County

Georgia calls it record restriction, not expungement. The process limits who can see certain criminal records. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you may qualify if your arrest did not lead to a conviction, if you got a misdemeanor conviction and four years have passed since you finished your sentence, or if your case sat on a dead docket for more than 12 months. Serious violent felonies and sex offenses are not eligible. You can only restrict up to two misdemeanor convictions in your lifetime.

For arrests that took place before July 1, 2013, start with the arresting law enforcement agency in Richmond County. For arrests on or after that date, go through the District Attorney's office for the Augusta Judicial Circuit. Agencies can charge up to $50 for this process. It takes anywhere from two weeks to 90 days depending on the case. The GBI Criminal History FAQ page covers the details on eligibility and how to apply. Victims of trafficking may qualify for free restriction under the Survivors First Act, O.C.G.A. § 17-10-21.

Cities in Richmond County

Augusta is the main city in Richmond County. Since the city-county consolidation in 1996, Augusta and Richmond County operate as one government. All criminal cases filed in the Augusta area go through the Richmond County Superior Court or State Court system. The courthouse on James Brown Boulevard handles everything for the consolidated area.

Other small communities in Richmond County include Hephzibah and Blythe. Criminal cases from these areas are handled by the Richmond County court system as well.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Richmond 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.