Ware County Recent Arrest Records
Recent arrests in Ware County are handled by the Sheriff's Office in Waycross, Georgia. This large south Georgia county has about 35,500 residents. Sheriff Carl James leads the department that manages the jail and all arrest bookings for the area. When someone is arrested in Ware County, their details are recorded at the county jail during intake. You can check on these arrest records by calling the sheriff's office, going to the jail in person, or using state databases that cover all of Georgia. This page explains how to look up recent arrest records in Ware County and what you can expect to find.
Ware County Quick Facts
Ware County Sheriff and Jail Recent Arrests
Sheriff Carl James runs the Ware County Sheriff's Office. The main office is at 3487 Harris Road, Waycross, GA 31503. Call 912-287-4326 for questions about recent arrests or to find out if someone is in the jail. The department handles patrol, criminal investigations, jail operations, and court security for Ware County. Waycross is the county seat and the largest city in the area. Ware County is also one of the biggest counties in Georgia by land area, which means deputies cover a wide stretch of south Georgia territory.
Every arrest in Ware County is processed at the county jail. Staff log the person's name, date of birth, charges, bond amount, and the arresting agency at the time of booking. Ware County is part of the Waycross Judicial Circuit, which also covers Bacon, Brantley, Charlton, Coffee, Jeff Davis, and Pierce counties. Felony cases go to Superior Court in the circuit. Misdemeanors stay in the local courts. Booking data remains in the system after a person is released, so you can still look up older arrest records from Ware County down the road.
The Georgia Sheriffs' Association has a directory that lists the Ware County Sheriff along with every other county sheriff in Georgia.
The GCIC keeps criminal history data from all 159 Georgia counties, including arrest records from Ware County.
| Sheriff | Carl James |
|---|---|
| Address | 3487 Harris Road, Waycross, GA 31503 |
| Phone | 912-287-4326 |
| Circuit | Waycross Judicial Circuit |
How to Search Ware County Recent Arrest Records
The most direct way to look up recent arrests in Ware County is to call 912-287-4326. 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, the charges, and the bond amount. You can also drive to the office at 3487 Harris Road in Waycross. Bring a valid ID. The staff will pull up booking records and can make copies for you on the spot.
State databases also pull in Ware County arrest data. The Georgia Crime Information Center holds criminal history information from all 159 Georgia counties. A GCIC check is the most complete way to search someone's arrest history across the state. The fee is up to $15 for a record check. You can reach the GCIC at 404-244-2639 for details on the process.
The Georgia Felon Search tool is a fast option for felony records. It costs $15 per name search and pulls conviction data from the GBI database. If a person was arrested in Ware County and later convicted of a felony anywhere in Georgia, this tool will show it. For court records, Georgia E-Access and re:SearchGA both cover the Waycross Judicial Circuit and let you look up cases by name or case number.
Note: Waycross Police Department also makes arrests in the area, and those bookings go through the Ware County jail.
Georgia Law on Ware County Recent Arrests
Georgia law sets the rules for how arrests work in Ware County. Under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-27, officers can arrest without a warrant when they see a crime take place or have probable cause for a felony. Traffic stops on Highway 1 and Highway 82, drug cases, and domestic calls are frequent reasons for recent arrests in Ware County. Warrant-based arrests go through the Magistrate Court, where a judge signs the warrant before deputies carry it out.
Once someone is booked at the Ware County jail, the arrest record becomes public under Georgia's Open Records Act. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 lists the limited exceptions. Active investigation files, juvenile records, and some witness data can be kept from the public. The Ware County Sheriff's Office follows these rules when it handles record requests. Staff must cite the specific law if they withhold any portion of a file.
People who want old Ware County arrest records restricted may qualify under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. This covers cases where charges were dropped, the person was found not guilty, or the case was never prosecuted. The restriction process goes through the Waycross Judicial Circuit courts. If approved, the record remains in the system but is blocked from standard background searches.
Booking Photos from Ware County Arrests Recent Arrests
A booking photo is taken when each person is processed at the Ware County jail. The photo goes into the arrest file. Georgia law restricts how booking images are used commercially. O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19 was passed to stop mugshot websites from posting photos and charging for removal. The law covers all counties in Georgia.
If you need a booking photo from a Ware County arrest, call the sheriff's office at 912-287-4326 or go to the Harris Road office in Waycross. In most cases, booking photos are part of the public record and can be provided on request. Staff will walk you through the steps and let you know about any fees. The process is straightforward for standard Ware County arrest photo requests.
Court Records After Ware County Arrests
After an arrest in Ware County, the case enters the court system. The Magistrate Court handles first appearances and bond hearings. Felony cases go to Superior Court in the Waycross Judicial Circuit. State Court takes misdemeanors. Each court creates a case file that tracks every step from the initial hearing to the final outcome. These records provide more detail than what the jail booking file alone shows about a Ware County arrest.
You can search court records online using state tools. Georgia E-Access covers courts from across Georgia and lets you search by name or case number. The re:SearchGA portal has court filings and documents from the Waycross Circuit and beyond. The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search shows inmates serving state time. If a Ware County arrest ended with a prison sentence, this tool has current facility info, status, and release dates.
The Felon Search database is a quick way to check for felony convictions tied to a Ware County arrest.
Cities in Ware County
Ware County has a few communities. Waycross is the county seat and the main population center with about 14,000 residents. Manor is a small town in the county. All arrests in the area go through the Ware County jail in Waycross.
Nearby Counties
These counties share a border with Ware County. If you are not sure where an arrest was booked, check the arresting agency on the record. Each county has its own jail and keeps its own arrest files.