Find Turner County Recent Arrests

Recent arrests in Turner County are managed by the Sheriff's Office in Ashburn, Georgia. About 7,900 people live in this small south Georgia county. Sheriff Andy Hester leads the department that handles all arrest bookings and jail operations for the area. When someone is picked up by law enforcement in Turner County, their booking information goes into the county jail system. You can check on these arrest records by calling the sheriff or using state-level search tools that cover all 159 Georgia counties. This page breaks down the best ways to look up recent arrest data in Turner County.

Turner County Sheriff's Office Recent Arrests

Sheriff Andy Hester runs the Turner County Sheriff's Office. The main office is at 1301 Industrial Drive, Ashburn, GA 31714. Call 229-567-2401 to ask about recent arrests or to check on someone in custody. The staff covers patrol, jail duties, and court operations for the county. Turner County sits along Interstate 75 in south Georgia, which brings a mix of local and transient arrests through the area.

Every arrest in Turner County is processed at the county jail in Ashburn. Staff log the person's name, date of birth, charges, bond amount, and the time of booking. Turner County is part of the Tifton Judicial Circuit, which also covers Tift, Irwin, and Worth counties. Felonies go to Superior Court. Misdemeanors stay in local courts. Once booking is done, the data goes into the system and stays there even after someone posts bail or is released from the Turner County jail.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association lists all 159 county sheriffs in the state, including Turner County. Use it if you need to verify the office address or phone number.

How to Search Turner County Recent Arrest Records

Turner County does not have an online inmate search tool. That is common for small Georgia counties. The fastest method is to call the sheriff's office at 229-567-2401. Give the person's full name and date of birth. Staff can check the jail roster and tell you if the person is in custody, what the charges are, and the bond amount. You can also walk into the office in Ashburn to ask in person. Bring a valid form of ID with you when you go.

Georgia's Open Records Act gives you the right to request booking data from the Turner County Sheriff's Office. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, the office must respond within three business days. You can make the request in writing or in person. Copies may have a small fee, but the core arrest records are public and must be provided unless a specific exemption applies to that file.

State databases round out your search options. The Georgia Crime Information Center holds criminal history records from every county. The Georgia Felon Search tool costs $15 per name and covers felony convictions across the state. Both pull data that may include Turner County arrests. For court records tied to local arrests, the Georgia E-Access portal and re:SearchGA cover the Tifton Judicial Circuit.

Note: Ashburn Police Department also makes arrests in Turner County, and those bookings go through the county jail.

Georgia Law on Turner County Recent Arrests

State law sets the framework for how arrests happen in Turner County. O.C.G.A. § 17-4-27 allows officers to make warrantless arrests when they see a crime or have probable cause to believe a felony took place. I-75 traffic stops, drug cases, and domestic calls account for a lot of recent arrests in Turner County. Warrant-based arrests go through the Magistrate Court, where a judge reviews the facts and signs the arrest warrant before deputies serve it.

After booking, Turner County arrest records become part of the public file. Most booking data is open for anyone to request. There are some limits. Active investigation files, juvenile records, and certain protected information can be withheld under the Open Records Act. The Turner County Sheriff's Office follows these rules when it processes record requests. If a portion of the file is exempt, the staff will cite the specific law that applies.

People who want to limit access to an old Turner County arrest record can apply for restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. This option is open when charges were dropped, the person was acquitted, or the case was never brought to trial. Restriction keeps the record from showing up in standard background searches. The request goes through the Tifton Judicial Circuit court system.

Booking Photos in Turner County Recent Arrests

The Turner County jail takes a photo of each person at the time of booking. This image goes into the arrest file. Georgia law puts limits on how booking photos can be used after they leave the agency. O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19 was created to stop mugshot websites from charging people fees to remove their photos. The law applies to all counties in the state.

The GCIC page is the starting point for criminal history checks that cover Turner County and every other county in Georgia.

To get a booking photo from a Turner County arrest, contact the sheriff's office at 229-567-2401. Most photos are part of the public record and can be shared. Staff handle requests on a case-by-case basis. You can call or visit the office in Ashburn.

Court Records After Turner County Arrests

After an arrest in Turner County, the case moves to court. The Magistrate Court handles first appearances and bond hearings. Felony cases go to Superior Court in the Tifton Judicial Circuit. Misdemeanors land in State Court. Each court file tracks hearings, motions, plea deals, and the final outcome. These records give more detail than what the arrest file alone provides.

Two state tools let you search court records from your computer. Georgia E-Access covers courts across the state, including those in the Tifton Circuit. Search by name or case number to see charges, filing dates, and hearing info. re:SearchGA digs deeper into court documents and filings. The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search is useful when a Turner County arrest ends in a state prison sentence. You can check inmate status, facility assignments, and release dates through the GDC system.

Cities in Turner County

Turner County has a few small towns. Ashburn is the county seat and the main population center. Sycamore and Rebecca are also in the county. All arrests in Turner County are booked at the county jail in Ashburn through the sheriff's office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Turner County. Check which jurisdiction handled the arrest if you are unsure where to look. Each county has its own jail and arrest records system.