Screven County Recent Arrests

Recent arrests in Screven County are processed by Sheriff Norman Royal and the deputies at the office on Rocky Ford Road in Sylvania, a rural county in east Georgia with a population of about 13,900. The sheriff's office runs the county jail and keeps booking records for every arrest that happens here. Whether you need to check on a recent booking or look up an older case, there are ways to get that done through the local office and through state databases. This page covers how to search for arrest records in Screven County and what laws apply to public access.

Screven County Sheriff's Office and Jail Recent Arrests

Sheriff Norman Royal heads the Screven County Sheriff's Office at 202 Rocky Ford Road in Sylvania. The main phone number is (912) 564-2013. The sheriff and his deputies cover all law enforcement in the unincorporated parts of the county, serve warrants, and operate the county jail. When someone is arrested in Screven County, they are booked at this facility.

At booking, the jail staff records the person's name, date of birth, charges, bond amount, and arresting officer. This creates the official arrest record for Screven County. The data is stored at the sheriff's office and also shared with the state GCIC system. Screven County is a mid-size rural county, so the jail handles a moderate number of bookings. Phone requests for basic info tend to be answered the same day. For copies of records or detailed reports, you may need to file a written request or visit the office in person.

Searching for Screven County Recent Arrest Records

Screven County does not have a public online jail roster. To check on a recent arrest, call the sheriff's office at (912) 564-2013 and give them a name. You can also visit the office at 202 Rocky Ford Road during business hours. Bring a valid ID. Staff can check the system and tell you if someone was booked recently in Screven County.

State databases extend your search beyond the local office. The Georgia Crime Information Center collects criminal records from every county. Arrest data from Screven County flows into this statewide system. You can also try the Georgia Felon Search to check for felony convictions. Both of these tools are free. For court filings tied to an arrest, the E-Access portal and re:SearchGA cover courts across the state.

The GCIC page from the GBI explains how criminal records work in Georgia, including arrest data from Screven County.

This is the central system for criminal history data in the state, and it covers all 159 counties including Screven.

Georgia Law and Screven County Recent Arrest Records

All arrests in Screven County follow Georgia state law. Under Georgia Code 17-4-27, deputies can arrest a person with a warrant or without one when probable cause exists. Screven County sees arrests from warrant service, traffic stops, and calls for service. Each booking creates a record that is kept at the sheriff's office and reported to the state system.

The open records law gives you the right to request these files. Georgia Code 50-18-72 makes most law enforcement records in Georgia public. The Screven County Sheriff's Office must respond to your request within three business days. They may charge a fee for copies, but the records themselves are open in most cases. Active investigations and sealed juvenile records are the usual exceptions. For a standard adult arrest record in Screven County, access is not restricted.

Note: The three-day response deadline starts when the office receives your written request, not when you make a phone call.

Booking Photos and Restrictions Recent Arrests

Mugshots from the Screven County jail are part of the arrest record. Georgia law treats booking photos as public records. However, some records are restricted. Juvenile cases are sealed automatically. Under Georgia Code 35-1-19, first offenders who complete their sentence can apply for record restriction in Georgia. If a search turns up nothing, it could mean the record was restricted or that the person was not booked in Screven County.

Under Georgia Code 35-3-37, a full GCIC criminal history report needs fingerprints or a signed release. The basic booking record from Screven County does not need that. You can get it from the sheriff's office with a simple request. The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search shows anyone in state prison, which may include people convicted from arrests in Screven County. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory lists all sheriffs statewide if you need to reach a nearby office.

Screven County Courts After Arrest

After an arrest in Screven County, the case moves into the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit. Magistrate court handles first appearances and sets bond. Felony cases go to superior court for indictment and trial. Misdemeanors may be handled in state court or at the magistrate level. Each court generates its own set of records tied to the original arrest.

The clerk of court in Screven County maintains criminal case files after charges are formally filed. You can search for records through re:SearchGA or by contacting the clerk in Sylvania. A case number from the booking speeds up the search. Court records cover indictments, motions, hearing dates, and final dispositions. Together with the booking record from the jail, they give you the full picture from arrest to resolution in Screven County.

Cities in Screven County

Screven County includes Sylvania, Rocky Ford, Hiltonia, Newington, and Oliver. Sylvania is the county seat. All arrests across these areas are processed through the Screven County Sheriff's Office and jail.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Screven County in eastern Georgia. Check the arresting agency on any booking record to confirm which county handled the case.