Dougherty County Recent Arrest Records

Recent arrests in Dougherty County are processed through the Sheriff's Office in Albany, the largest city in southwest Georgia. With about 87,000 residents, Dougherty County is a major hub for this part of the state, and the jail handles a significant volume of bookings each year. Sheriff Terron K. Hayes oversees the detention center and all arrest records. You can search for recent bookings by contacting the sheriff's office, visiting in person, or using Georgia's statewide databases. This page walks through the search options and the laws that govern public access to arrest records in Dougherty County.

Dougherty County Sheriff's Office Recent Arrests

Sheriff Terron K. Hayes runs the Dougherty County Sheriff's Office in Albany. This is the primary agency that handles arrest records and jail operations in the county. The detention center books people arrested by sheriff's deputies, Albany Police, and other agencies operating within Dougherty County. Every booking creates a record that is stored at the sheriff's office and available to the public.

The office is located at 225 Pine Avenue in Albany. Call 229-302-3600 to reach the main line. Because Dougherty County is one of the larger counties in southwest Georgia, the jail processes a higher volume of bookings than many surrounding areas. The records division handles requests during weekday business hours. Walk-ins are welcome. Bring a valid ID if you plan to visit. Staff can search the system by name or booking number and print copies of arrest records for you on the spot in most cases.

Albany serves as both the county seat and the main population center. Most arrests in Dougherty County originate from calls in or around Albany. The sheriff's office works closely with the Albany Police Department, and both agencies book through the same jail facility.

How to Search Dougherty County Recent Arrest Records

Call the sheriff's office at 229-302-3600 to check on a recent arrest in Dougherty County. Give the staff a name and date of birth. They will search the system and tell you what they find. For copies or detailed records, visit the office on Pine Avenue in Albany. Written requests can also be submitted by mail. Dougherty County handles more bookings than many neighboring counties, so response times may vary depending on how busy the office is.

State databases are a strong option for Dougherty County arrest searches. The Georgia Crime Information Center holds criminal history from all 159 counties. This is the GBI's central system and often has data from Dougherty County arrests. The Georgia Felon Search tool lets you look up felony conviction records statewide. If the arrest led to a felony charge, you may find it there.

The Georgia E-Access portal is one way to track court cases that started with an arrest in Dougherty County.

This state tool lets you search filings from the Dougherty Judicial Circuit by name or case number.

For court records, the E-Access portal shows filings from Superior Court, State Court, and Magistrate Court. Dougherty County has its own judicial circuit, so all local case data feeds into this system. The re:SearchGA tool pulls from county courts statewide and is another good option for tracking cases after a Dougherty County booking.

What Dougherty County Recent Arrest Records Show

A booking record from the Dougherty County detention center holds a set of facts about each arrest. The file starts with the person's name, date of birth, and physical description. It lists the charges, the arresting agency, and the exact time of booking. Bond amounts go in when set. Release details are added if the person gets out. Because Dougherty County processes a large number of arrests, the system is well organized and files are usually easy to retrieve.

Under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-27, Georgia law spells out how arrests must be carried out. Officers in Dougherty County follow these rules, and the booking record reflects whether the arrest was on a warrant, probable cause, or another basis. Each booking gets a unique number that ties it to any court cases that follow. The Dougherty County Sheriff's Office stores all of these files and can pull them for anyone who asks.

A typical Dougherty County arrest record will include:

• Full name, date of birth, and physical description
• Charges at the time of booking
• Arresting officer and agency
• Bond amount and court date if set
• Release date and conditions if released

Georgia Law and Dougherty County Records Recent Arrests

Arrest records in Dougherty County are public under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72. Georgia's open records act requires the sheriff's office to respond to requests within three business days. A small copy fee may apply, but anyone can ask for these records. You do not have to be involved in the case or explain your reason for the request.

Mugshots from the Dougherty County jail are part of the booking file. O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19 limits how booking photos can be used by third parties. This law was aimed at websites that post mugshots and then demand payment for removal. The Dougherty County jail takes photos during intake as standard procedure. Those images are part of the public record, but the downstream rules on use are strict.

Record restriction is possible under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. If charges are dropped or a person completes first offender treatment, they can apply to have their Dougherty County arrest record restricted from public view. Law enforcement keeps access. The public does not. This means not every arrest in Dougherty County will show up in a search long term.

Note: Juvenile arrest records in Dougherty County are sealed by default and do not appear in adult record searches.

State Tools for Dougherty County

The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search shows anyone serving time in a state prison. If a Dougherty County arrest led to a prison term, this tool will display the inmate's current facility, sentence length, and projected release date. The search is free and updates on a regular cycle.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory lists every sheriff in Georgia with contact details. This is helpful for reaching the Dougherty County office or any of the surrounding counties. Given Albany's size and position in southwest Georgia, arrests sometimes involve coordination between Dougherty County and neighboring jurisdictions. The directory makes it easy to find the right office for your records request.

Cities in Dougherty County

Dougherty County is home to Albany, the largest city in southwest Georgia and the county seat. All arrests in the Albany area are booked through the Dougherty County jail.

Other communities in Dougherty County include Putney and Radium Springs. Arrests in those areas also go through the Dougherty County Sheriff's Office for booking.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Dougherty County. If you are searching for an arrest and the booking location is unclear, check the arresting agency listed on the record.