Decatur County Recent Arrests

Recent arrests in Decatur County go through the Sheriff's Office in Bainbridge, located in southwest Georgia near the Florida border. The county has about 26,400 residents. Sheriff Wiley Griffin oversees the jail and maintains all booking records for the area. Whether you need to check on someone who was just arrested or look up an older case, the sheriff's office is the starting point. You can also use state databases to find arrest records tied to Decatur County. This page explains the process for searching these records and what Georgia law says about public access.

Decatur County Sheriff's Office Recent Arrests

Sheriff Wiley Griffin runs the Decatur County Sheriff's Office in Bainbridge. This office is the central point for all arrest records in the county. The jail processes bookings from the sheriff's deputies, Bainbridge Police, and other local agencies that make arrests in Decatur County. Every booking creates a record that stays on file at the sheriff's office and can be requested by the public.

The office address is 912 Spring Creek Road, Bainbridge, GA 39817. You can reach them at 229-248-3044. Staff handle records requests on weekdays during business hours. Walk-in visits work well if you want to see arrest files or get copies. Bring a valid ID and the name of the person you want to look up. Decatur County sits close to the Florida state line, and the sheriff's office sometimes deals with cross-border matters, but all local bookings are kept in their system.

How to Search Decatur County Recent Arrest Records

Call the sheriff's office at 229-248-3044 to check on a recent arrest in Decatur County. Give the staff a name and they can tell you if there is a booking on file. This is the fastest route for current information. For printed copies or more detailed records, visit the office in Bainbridge or submit a written request. Decatur County does not maintain a public online jail roster, so direct contact with the office is the best approach for local arrest data.

Georgia's state databases can also help with Decatur County arrest searches. The Georgia Crime Information Center holds criminal history from every county in the state. The Georgia Felon Search tool lets you look up people with felony records across Georgia, which may include arrests from Decatur County. Both tools are free and available online.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association keeps a directory of every sheriff's office in the state, including Decatur County and its neighbors in the southwest region.

Use this directory to find contact info for Sheriff Griffin's office or any nearby county when looking up arrest records.

Court records tied to Decatur County arrests are available through the E-Access portal and re:SearchGA. Both systems let you search by name or case number and show filings from Superior Court, State Court, and Magistrate Court in Decatur County.

Note: Court records may not appear online until several days after the initial arrest in Decatur County.

What Decatur County Recent Arrest Records Include

A Decatur County booking record lists the standard arrest details. The file has the person's name, date of birth, and physical traits. It shows the charges at intake, the arresting officer, and the time and date of the booking. Bond information is added when it gets set by the court. If the person has been released, the file notes the release date and any conditions that came with it. This is the same format used across Georgia jails.

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-27 sets the rules for how arrests are carried out. Officers in Decatur County must have probable cause or a warrant. The booking record documents the entire process and stays in the system at the sheriff's office. Most of this information is available to anyone who asks, with some limits on active investigations.

Georgia Law on Public Arrest Records Recent Arrests

Arrest records in Decatur County are public under Georgia's open records act. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 requires the sheriff's office to respond to records requests within three business days. The office can charge a copy fee, but the records themselves are open. You do not need to be part of the case or give a reason for the request.

Booking photos from the Decatur County jail are part of the arrest file. O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19 limits how mugshots can be used after they are released. This law was passed to stop mugshot websites from exploiting arrest photos for profit. The Decatur County jail still photographs everyone at intake, and those photos can be obtained through a records request. The restrictions apply to how third parties handle the images after the fact.

If a case ends without a conviction, the person may apply for record restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. A restricted Decatur County arrest record is removed from public search results but stays in the law enforcement system. First offenders who finish their program can also seek restriction. Not every arrest record stays visible in the long run.

State Resources for Decatur County

The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search shows anyone currently serving time in state prison. If an arrest in Decatur County led to a conviction and prison sentence, this tool will show the inmate's current facility and release date. It is free and gets updated regularly.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association maintains a statewide directory of every sheriff's office. This is useful for reaching Decatur County or any of its neighboring counties in southwest Georgia. Since the county sits near the Florida border, knowing whether an arrest falls under Georgia or Florida jurisdiction matters, and the directory helps you find the right contact for either side.

Cities in Decatur County

Decatur County includes the city of Bainbridge, which is the county seat, along with the smaller towns of Climax, Brinson, and Attapulgus. All arrests in the county are processed through the Decatur County Sheriff's Office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Decatur County. If you need to check on an arrest from a nearby area, contact the sheriff in that county directly.