Find Recent Arrests in Valdosta
Recent arrests in Valdosta are processed by the Valdosta Police Department and the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office. Valdosta is the county seat of Lowndes County in south Georgia with a population of about 55,600 people. People arrested in Valdosta get booked at the Lowndes County Jail. The sheriff runs the jail and holds all booking records. You can search for recent arrest data through the sheriff's website, open records requests, and state databases that pull information from every county in Georgia.
Valdosta Quick Facts
Valdosta Police Department Recent Arrests
The Valdosta Police Department handles most arrests inside the city limits. It is located at 500 N Toombs St in Valdosta. Call 229-293-3145 to reach the department. Officers patrol the city around the clock and respond to calls for drug offenses, theft, assault, DUI, domestic violence, and more. Valdosta is a college town with Valdosta State University, so the police department stays busy. Recent arrests in Valdosta often spike during the school year and around events that bring large crowds to the area.
After an arrest in Valdosta, the person is taken to the Lowndes County Jail. The Valdosta PD does not run its own jail. Booking takes place at the county facility. Staff at the jail logs the person's name, charges, date of arrest, bond amount, and a booking photo. The Valdosta police keep their own arrest reports and incident files. You can ask for copies of those through the records unit at the department.
Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 17-4-27 says law enforcement must keep arrest records open for public inspection. That applies to the Valdosta Police Department. When officers make an arrest, the record becomes part of the public file. There are some limits, such as ongoing investigations or juvenile cases, but most adult arrest records from Valdosta are available to anyone who asks.
| Department | Valdosta Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 N Toombs St Valdosta, GA 31601 |
| Phone | 229-293-3145 |
Lowndes County Sheriff and Valdosta Jail Records Recent Arrests
Sheriff Ashley Paulk runs the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff manages the county jail, serves warrants, and keeps all booking records for Valdosta and the rest of Lowndes County. The sheriff's office address is PO Box 667, Valdosta, GA 31603. Call 229-671-2900 for questions about inmates or recent arrests. The Lowndes County Jail is where all people arrested in Valdosta end up. The jail has an intake process that creates a booking record for each person brought in.
The Valdosta Police Department website shows the department's main page, which links to arrest-related resources and contact info for people looking up recent arrests in Valdosta.
Use this page to find contact details and resources for the Valdosta PD, which handles most arrests within the city.
The sheriff's office shares booking data with the state under O.C.G.A. 35-1-19. That means arrest records from Valdosta go into the Georgia Crime Information Center database. The booking record includes names, charges, dates, and the agency that made the arrest. But there are rules about booking photos. Under O.C.G.A. 10-1-393.5, websites that post mugshots for money must take them down free of charge within 30 days if the person asks. This law protects people from sites that profit off arrest photos from Valdosta and other Georgia cities.
You can call the Lowndes County Jail to check on a recent arrest. Staff will tell you if a person is in custody and give basic booking info over the phone. For full records, you may need to file a written request or visit in person.
| Sheriff | Ashley Paulk |
|---|---|
| Address | PO Box 667 Valdosta, GA 31603 |
| Phone | 229-671-2900 |
How to Search for Valdosta Recent Arrest Records
Start with the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office. Call 229-671-2900 and ask about a recent booking. The staff can tell you if a person is still in the jail. If you want more detail, file an open records request. Georgia's Open Records Act under O.C.G.A. 50-18-72 says that initial arrest reports are subject to public disclosure. You do not have to explain why you want the records. Put your request in writing and send it to the Valdosta Police Department or the sheriff's office. The agency has three business days to respond or tell you when the records will be ready.
For court records tied to a Valdosta arrest, try the E-Access Court Records portal. This covers cases from courts across Georgia, including Lowndes County. The re:SearchGA tool is another good option. Both of these show case filings, docket entries, and sometimes dispositions. They give you more than just the arrest record. You can see what charges were filed and how the case moved through the system.
If a request gets denied, ask for the reason in writing. You can appeal to the Georgia Attorney General or take the issue to court. Most arrest records from Valdosta are open. Sealed records and juvenile cases are the main exceptions.
State Databases That Cover Valdosta Recent Arrests
Georgia has several state-level tools that include arrest and criminal record data from Valdosta. The Georgia Crime Information Center stores criminal history records from all agencies. A background check through GCIC costs $15. Under O.C.G.A. 35-3-35, the center can release felony conviction records through electronic means. That makes it easier to get records without filing paper requests.
The GCIC main page on the GBI website shows how the state collects and distributes criminal history data from every county in Georgia, including Lowndes County where Valdosta recent arrests are recorded.
The GCIC pulls data from the Lowndes County system and every other law enforcement agency across the state.
The Georgia Felon Search is free. It shows people who served time in state prison. If someone arrested in Valdosta ended up with a prison sentence, they show up in this tool. The GDC Offender Search covers people who are in state custody right now or on parole. The Sex Offender Registry is a separate search if you need that type of record. The Georgia Sheriffs' directory can help you find the right county office if you need to call a sheriff outside of Lowndes County.
Record Restriction for Valdosta Arrests
If you were arrested in Valdosta and the case did not end in a conviction, you may qualify for record restriction. Georgia handles this under O.C.G.A. 35-3-37. You can apply if your charges were dismissed, dropped, or if you were found not guilty. A nolle prosequi or a dead docket case may qualify too. Record restriction does not erase the arrest. It limits who can see it. Law enforcement keeps access, but the record will not show up in most checks.
The process takes paperwork and time. You file with the court that handled your case, which for Valdosta is typically the Lowndes County Superior Court or State Court. A lawyer in the Valdosta area can walk you through the steps. Some people handle it on their own, but the rules are specific. Missing a step can cause a delay or a denial. If you qualify, it is worth doing. A restricted record from a Valdosta arrest makes a real difference when you are trying to move forward.
Lowndes County Arrest Records
Valdosta is the county seat of Lowndes County. All arrests in the city go through the Lowndes County Jail for booking and detention. The sheriff's office handles jail records, warrant service, and bond processing for the whole county. For more details on the Lowndes County system and other arrest record resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
Valdosta is in south Georgia, so there are fewer large cities close by. These are the nearest qualifying cities with their own arrest record pages. If you are looking for a recent arrest outside of the Valdosta area, check one of these.