Access Burke County Recent Arrests
Recent arrests in Burke County are processed at the county jail in Waynesboro. Burke County is in east-central Georgia, near the South Carolina border, and has about 22,300 residents. Arrest records here are public under Georgia law. The sheriff's office handles all bookings and keeps the arrest logs. You can search for recent arrests by calling the jail, filing an open records request, or checking state databases that hold data from Burke County. Whether you need info on a current inmate or an older arrest, the records are available to the public through several channels.
Burke County Quick Facts
Burke County Sheriff's Office Recent Arrests
Sheriff Alfonzo Williams heads the Burke County Sheriff's Office in Waynesboro. This office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. It runs the jail and processes all arrests that happen in Burke County. Every person who gets booked receives a record with their name, date of birth, charges, and bond amount. These records are public information.
The mailing address for the sheriff's office is PO Box 702, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Call 706-554-2133 to ask about recent arrests. The jail staff can tell you if someone is in custody, what they are charged with, and what the bond is set at. Burke County is one of the larger counties in Georgia by land area, so the sheriff's office covers a big territory. The Waynesboro Police Department also makes arrests within city limits, but all bookings go through the Burke County jail. Under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-27, arrested persons must see a judge within 48 hours, which means booking records are created soon after an arrest in Burke County.
| Address | PO Box 702, Waynesboro, GA 30830 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 706-554-2133 |
| Sheriff | Alfonzo Williams |
Search Burke County Recent Arrest Records
A phone call is the quickest way to check on someone arrested in Burke County. Dial 706-554-2133 and ask the jail staff. Have the person's full name on hand. A date of birth is helpful too. The staff can confirm custody status, charges, and bond. For a formal copy of arrest records, you can file an open records request with the Burke County Sheriff's Office.
Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, the public has a right to access arrest records from any law enforcement agency in Georgia. This includes arrest reports, incident reports, and booking photos from Burke County. The sheriff's office must respond within three business days. There may be a copy fee. You can mail the request to the PO Box address or visit the office in person in Waynesboro.
The Georgia Sheriffs' Association keeps a statewide directory of every sheriff's office. Use it to verify Burke County's contact details before sending a written request. The page below shows the Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory, which lists all county sheriff offices in the state.
Note: For the most current bond and charge info on a Burke County arrest, always call the jail directly.
State Databases for Burke County Recent Arrests
Georgia runs several databases that hold arrest records from Burke County. These tools pull data from across the state and can help when the local office is closed or you need a broader search.
The Georgia Crime Information Center at the GBI holds criminal history records for every county, including Burke. GCIC data covers arrests, charges, and case outcomes. You can request a background check through this system for a fee. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, the GBI shares criminal history info with the public for approved purposes. Private citizens get a limited version, but it still includes basic arrest data from Burke County.
The Felon Search database is free. It covers felony records from across Georgia. The GDC offender search shows anyone who went from a Burke County arrest to state prison, including their facility and release date. Both are worth checking when you want to trace what happened after an arrest in Burke County.
Georgia Law on Arrest Records in Burke County Recent Arrests
Arrest records in Burke County are public under Georgia law. The Open Records Act is the main statute. It gives anyone the right to ask for arrest reports, booking logs, and mugshots from the sheriff's office. You do not need to state a reason. Just make the request.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19, law enforcement agencies must report arrest data to the state. The Burke County Sheriff's Office sends booking info to GCIC as required. This is how a Burke County arrest shows up in the statewide criminal history system. Even a rural county like Burke feeds data into the same state databases used by every other county. Mugshots are public records too. You can request them from the sheriff's office.
There are some limits. If charges are dropped or a person is acquitted, they may apply to have the arrest record restricted from public view. This does not destroy the record. It just limits who can see it in standard searches. The process works the same in Burke County as it does across Georgia.
Burke County Court Records
Once an arrest happens in Burke County, the case enters the court system. Magistrate Court handles the first appearance and bond. Superior Court takes felonies. State Court or Magistrate Court handles misdemeanors. Each court creates records tied back to the original arrest. Court records can show things the booking log does not, like changes in charges or the final outcome of the case.
The Georgia E-Access portal lets you search court case records from Burke County online. You can look up a person by name and find charges, dates, and outcomes. The re:SearchGA system also has court filings and docket entries from Georgia counties. Both tools are free.
A Burke County arrest creates records in multiple places: the jail log, the court docket, and the state criminal history file. Looking at all three gives you the most complete picture of what happened with a case from arrest to outcome.
Cities in Burke County
Waynesboro is the county seat of Burke County. All arrests in the county are booked through the Burke County Sheriff's Office jail. The Waynesboro Police Department makes arrests within city limits, but the booking process goes through the county jail.
Other communities in Burke County include Sardis, Vidette, Girard, and Midville. Arrest records for all areas in the county are kept by the Burke County Sheriff's Office in Waynesboro.
Nearby Counties
Burke County shares borders with these counties. Each has its own sheriff and jail. Make sure you have the right county before you call about an arrest.