Find Criminal Records in Schley County

Schley County criminal court records are kept at the Clerk of Superior Court office in Ellaville. This small county in central Georgia is part of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit and has a population under 3,000. Despite its size, the clerk office processes all criminal case filings and maintains the same types of court records as larger counties. You can search for Schley County criminal records by calling the clerk, visiting the courthouse on Pecan Street, or using statewide online databases. The staff can look up case files, check court dates, and make copies for you on the spot. Requests here tend to move fast given the low volume of cases.

Schley County Criminal Court Clerk

Kathy S. Royal is the Clerk of Superior Court in Schley County. Her office handles all criminal court records filed in the county. The clerk office sits at 47 N. Pecan St., Ellaville, GA 31806. You can call (229) 937-5581 for case questions or to check on a pending filing. Fax requests go to (229) 937-5588. Office hours run Monday through Friday. Since Schley County is one of the smallest in Georgia, the clerk office has a limited staff, but they process the same record types you would find in any county. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours.

The GSCCCA page for Schley County has the clerk contact info and links to the county filing system through the state cooperative authority.

Use this page to check the Schley County clerk details and access the statewide filing indexes the GSCCCA maintains.

How to Search Schley County Criminal Records

Call the clerk at (229) 937-5581 to start a search. The staff can look up criminal cases by name or case number. Copies cost $0.10 per page under Georgia law. The first 15 minutes of search time are free under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. With the low case count in Schley County, most requests take less than that. You can also visit the courthouse in Ellaville or send a written request by fax or mail to the address above.

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 a reason. The Schley County clerk must respond within three business days. This is the same Open Records Act that applies statewide. Your request can come in person, by phone, by fax, or in writing.

Schley County does not have its own online court records portal. For remote access, try the statewide E-Access to Court Records system or search through the GSCCCA. E-Access requires an account. The GSCCCA runs $14.95 per month for regular access or $29.95 for premium. Both cover all 159 Georgia counties, so you can search Schley County from anywhere with an internet connection.

Note: Schley County's small size means the clerk can often fill your request the same day.

Schley County Criminal Case Types

Superior Court in Schley County handles felony cases. Drug charges, robbery, assault, and other serious crimes all go through Superior Court. State Court takes misdemeanors like DUI, simple battery, and petty theft. Magistrate Court holds bond hearings and preliminary matters. The Southwestern Judicial Circuit serves Schley County along with Lee, Macon, Stewart, Sumter, and Webster counties. The circuit judge rotates through these counties, and criminal docket days in Schley County follow the circuit schedule. All courts produce records that end up in the Schley County Clerk's files in Ellaville.

A criminal case starts with an arrest. Charges get filed. Then hearings, motions, and either a trial or plea deal take place. Each step generates documents for the case file. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, records from active investigations can be withheld from the public. Once a case concludes, the full record is generally available for inspection. Court dates and basic docket data are usually accessible even while a case moves through the system in Schley County.

Criminal Record Restriction in Schley County

Georgia allows certain criminal records to be restricted from public access under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. This used to be called expungement. It applies to arrests without a conviction, some misdemeanor convictions after a four-year wait, and cases on a dead docket for more than 12 months. If you were arrested in Schley County on or after July 1, 2013, file for restriction through the District Attorney's office. For older arrests, contact the arresting law enforcement agency. The fee is up to $50 per request. Georgia law caps misdemeanor conviction restrictions at two per person.

Time-expired restrictions can happen automatically when the Georgia Crime Information Center does not receive a final disposition. Misdemeanors time out after two years. Felonies take four years. Serious violent felonies need seven years. These automatic restrictions only affect the state database. Federal records and out-of-state checks may still show the case. For a full restriction, follow the formal petition process through the Schley County courts.

For your own criminal history, visit the local sheriff's office and ask for a Purpose Code U report. The GBI Criminal History page explains the statewide process. Call the GBI at (404) 244-2639 option 3 for help. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, attorneys can get criminal history data from GCIC with a written request that includes the case style and subject info.

Schley County Court Resources

Schley County uses the Odyssey eFileGA system for electronic court filings. Attorneys and parties to a case can file motions and documents online rather than making the trip to Ellaville. This system creates a digital record that becomes part of the criminal case file. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-6-11, the clerk may offer public access to eFiled documents through the court website. The eFileGA platform is available around the clock.

The GBI Open Records Unit handles state-level criminal history requests. Email is no longer accepted as of December 2023. Use their online portal or send mail to P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, GA 30034. The FANS system from the GSCCCA is free and sends alerts when new filings land in any Georgia county, including Schley. It saves you from having to check with the clerk office every time you need an update on a case.

Cities in Schley County

All criminal cases in Schley County go through the Superior Court or State Court in Ellaville. The courthouse handles every felony and misdemeanor filing for the county.

Cities and towns in Schley County include Ellaville. Criminal cases from all parts of the county are processed through the Schley County court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties sit next to Schley County. Criminal cases must be filed in the county where the arrest took place. Check the location of the alleged crime if you are not sure which county has the record.