Search Washington County Recent Arrest Records
Washington County recent arrests are handled by Sheriff Joel Cochran and his staff in Sandersville. With a population of about 20,200, this middle Georgia county processes a steady number of bookings each year. Arrest records from Washington County are public under Georgia's open records law. You can find out who was booked into the county jail, what charges were filed, and whether bond was set. The sheriff's office keeps local records, and several statewide tools let you search Washington County arrest data from home.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Sheriff's Office Recent Arrests
Sheriff Joel Cochran leads the Washington County Sheriff's Office. The office is the main law enforcement agency for the county, handling patrols, criminal investigations, and jail operations in Sandersville. Every arrest made in Washington County gets processed at the county jail. The booking creates a record that includes the person's name, charges, and bond. These records are public and can be requested by anyone.
The Washington County jail sits in Sandersville and serves as the booking point for all local arrests. When police or deputies bring someone in, the jail staff logs the arrest with a full set of details. You can call 478-552-4795 to ask about a specific person. Staff can check the roster and give you basic booking info over the phone. If you want a written copy or need to file a formal request, the sheriff's office can walk you through the process.
Washington County sees a moderate volume of arrests compared to larger metro counties. The sheriff's office handles everything from traffic stops to felony investigations. All of it feeds into the same booking system, and all of it becomes part of the public record in Washington County.
| Sheriff | Joel Cochran |
|---|---|
| Address | PO Drawer 30 Sandersville, GA 31082 |
| Phone | 478-552-4795 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Find Washington County Recent Arrest Records
Calling the sheriff's office is the fastest way to check on a recent arrest in Washington County. Staff can look up the jail roster by name. For formal copies, submit an open records request. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, the sheriff must respond within three business days. Copy fees are usually small.
Online tools give you another way to search. The Georgia E-Access system shows court records tied to Washington County arrests. You can search by name and see charges, hearing dates, and outcomes. The re:SearchGA portal covers docket entries and filings from multiple counties. Both are free and work well for Washington County cases that have moved into the court system.
The Georgia Crime Information Center holds statewide arrest data, including records from Washington County. The GCIC is run by the GBI and serves as the central repository for criminal records in the state. Below is a look at the GCIC main page where information about criminal records access in Georgia is available.
The GCIC collects data from every law enforcement agency in Georgia, so Washington County arrests are included in their system.
Georgia Recent Arrest Laws and Washington County
When someone gets arrested in Washington County, the booking process follows state law. Under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-27, the arrested person must appear before a judge within 48 hours. This means booking records get created fast. The record includes the name, date of birth, charges, arrest date, and bond amount. Booking photos are also part of the file.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19, the Washington County Sheriff's Office reports arrest data to the GCIC. This feeds the statewide criminal records system. It means a Washington County arrest shows up not just locally but also in state-level searches. The Felon Search tool and the Department of Corrections offender search both pull from these state records.
Some records can be restricted over time. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 allows certain offenders to apply for record restriction after completing their sentence. If a search for a Washington County arrest turns up empty, the record may have been restricted, sealed, or the case was dismissed and later expunged.
Note: Juvenile arrest records from Washington County are sealed by default and will not appear in public searches.
What Washington County Booking Records Include Recent Arrests
A booking record from Washington County contains standard information. The person's full name, date of birth, and physical description are all logged. Charges are listed along with the arrest date, time, and location. The arresting officer's name goes in the file. If a bond was set, that amount is recorded too. All of this data becomes part of the public record.
Charges can change after the initial booking. A prosecutor may add charges, drop some, or reduce them. The bond amount can also shift after a hearing. But the original booking data stays on file. Court records will show any changes. For the full picture of a Washington County arrest, you want both the booking record and the court case file. The booking tells you what happened at the jail. The court file tells you how the case ended.
State Databases for Washington County
The Georgia Sheriffs' Association maintains a directory of all sheriff offices in the state. You can use it to verify contact info for the Washington County Sheriff's Office or find nearby offices if you are not sure where a booking took place. The screenshot below shows the sheriffs directory page.
The directory lists every sheriff in Georgia by county and provides contact details. It is a quick way to reach the right office when you need arrest records from Washington County or any neighboring county.
Cities in Washington County
Washington County includes the city of Sandersville, which is the county seat. All arrests in Washington County get processed through the sheriff's office. Sandersville has a city police department that makes arrests, but booking goes through the county jail.
Other communities include Tennille, Davisboro, and Riddleville. Arrests in these areas also go through Washington County for processing.
Nearby Counties
These counties share a border with Washington County. Each one runs its own jail and keeps separate arrest records. If you are not sure where someone was booked, check the arrest location.