Ware County Criminal Court Records

Ware County criminal court records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse on Church Street in Waycross. This southeast Georgia county is part of the Waycross Judicial Circuit, which covers Ware, Pierce, and Bacon counties. You can search criminal records by going to the clerk office during business hours or by using statewide online portals. The clerk handles walk-in requests for case files, court dates, and copies of criminal records. Ware County is one of the larger counties in south Georgia by land area, and all felony and misdemeanor cases from across the county go through the courts in Waycross.

Ware County Criminal Court Clerk

The Clerk of Superior Court manages all criminal court records in Ware County. The office is at 800 Church Street in Waycross. Call (912) 287-4340 to ask about a case or check on a court date. Staff there can search by name or case number. They pull criminal case files and make copies for anyone who asks. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours, Monday through Friday. Bring a valid ID if you plan to request copies in person. Most routine lookups are quick.

Ware County sits in the Waycross Judicial Circuit alongside Pierce and Bacon counties. The District Attorney for this circuit prosecutes all felony cases across these three counties. The DA's office works out of Waycross, which makes it easy for Ware County residents to coordinate with the prosecutor on criminal matters.

The GSCCCA page for Ware County lists the clerk contact info and connects to the statewide filing system.

From the GSCCCA, you can find the Ware County clerk address, phone, and links to statewide search tools. A standard GSCCCA account costs $14.95 per month, and premium runs $29.95. All 159 Georgia county clerk offices are connected through this system.

Searching Ware County Criminal Records

Visit the courthouse in Waycross to search criminal court records in Ware County. Tell the clerk staff what you need, and they can search the system and make copies on the spot. 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 Ware County Clerk must respond within three business days. Standard copies cost $0.10 per page, and the first 15 minutes of search time are free under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71.

You can mail a written request to 800 Church Street, Waycross, GA 31501. Include the full name of the person, their date of birth if known, and any case number you have. Specify if you need certified copies for legal proceedings. Certified copies cost more than uncertified ones. The clerk will search, make copies, and send them back with a bill for the fees.

For online access, the E-Access to Court Records portal connects you to case data from Georgia courts. You need an account to search. The GSCCCA indexes filings from all 159 counties and can point you to the right clerk for criminal records in Ware County or any other county in the state. While GSCCCA mainly covers real estate and lien records, it doubles as a directory for every clerk office in Georgia.

Note: Ware County covers a large area of southeast Georgia, so calling ahead can save you a long drive to the courthouse in Waycross.

Ware County Courts and Criminal Cases

Ware County Superior Court handles all felony cases. Drug charges, violent crimes, burglary, theft over certain dollar amounts, and other serious offenses go through this court. The State Court takes misdemeanor matters. DUI, simple assault, minor drug possession, and criminal traffic violations are common case types there. Magistrate Court processes warrants, preliminary hearings, and bond settings. Each court creates records that the Ware County Clerk keeps on file at the courthouse in Waycross.

A criminal case in Ware County follows the same path as in the rest of Georgia. An arrest takes place. Charges get filed. The case moves through hearings and possibly trial. Each step adds to the case record. Motions, docket entries, plea agreements, and court orders all become part of the criminal file. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, records tied to an active investigation can be held back from public view until the investigation concludes. After that, most criminal court records are open.

To request criminal records in Ware County, you will need:

• Full name of the person
• Date of birth or approximate age
• Case number if available
• Whether it is a felony or misdemeanor case
• Whether you need certified or uncertified copies

Criminal Record Restriction in Ware County

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, some criminal records in Georgia can be restricted from public view. Georgia calls this record restriction instead of expungement. The records do not go away. They still exist in the system. But the public cannot search for them anymore. Law enforcement and judges keep full access. Arrests that did not result in a conviction may be eligible. Certain misdemeanor convictions qualify after a four-year wait with no other convictions. Cases on a dead docket for more than 12 months can also be restricted. Georgia limits each person to two misdemeanor conviction restrictions in a lifetime. Serious violent felonies and sex offenses are never eligible.

For arrests in Ware County on or after July 1, 2013, start the process through the Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney's office. For older arrests, contact the arresting law enforcement agency. The fee can be up to $50. Processing takes anywhere from two weeks to 90 days. Time-expired restrictions may happen automatically if the Georgia Crime Information Center does not get a final case disposition within two years for a misdemeanor, four years for a felony, or seven years for a serious violent felony.

Ware County Criminal Records Resources

For your own criminal history, visit the Ware County Sheriff's Office and ask for a Purpose Code U report. This is the standard way to get your Georgia criminal history for personal use. The GBI Criminal History page has full details on how the process works. Call the GBI Criminal History Records Helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3 for questions about your record statewide, including cases that started in Ware County.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the Georgia Crime Information Center can share criminal history data with defense attorneys who send a written request. The request must include case style, case number, and identifying info for the subject. Fees apply but are waived for indigent defendants. Attorneys in the Waycross Judicial Circuit use this for trial prep across Ware, Pierce, and Bacon counties. The FANS system is a free GSCCCA tool that lets you monitor new filings tied to your name across all Georgia counties. eFiling is also available through the Odyssey eFileGA system for attorneys and parties to criminal cases in Ware County.

Note: The GBI Open Records Unit no longer accepts email requests as of December 2023; use their online portal or mail your request to P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, GA 30037-0808.

Cities in Ware County

Waycross is the county seat and the largest city in Ware County. Criminal cases from Waycross and other areas of the county go through the Ware County Superior Court or State Court at the courthouse on Church Street. Other communities in Ware County include Manor and parts of the Okefenokee Swamp area. All criminal filings from these areas are processed through the Ware County court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Ware 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.