Georgia records over 30,000 arrests yearly, while law enforcement agencies in Columbia County execute more than 1,500 arrests within the same period. Arrest records maintained by government agencies in Columbia County are open to the public per the Georgia Open Records Act. Obtaining these records requires processing fees that typically range from $0.10 to $10.
However, confidential details, such as juvenile records, sensitive personal information, and details of ongoing investigations, are restricted from public access. Such records are only open to the record subjects and authorized criminal justice agencies, including the courts, the police, and the District Attorney's Office.
Various agencies maintain arrest records in Columbia County, including the County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Superior Court, and the Magistrate Court.
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office is the county's main law enforcement agency and custodian of arrest records. You can obtain arrest records from the agency by submitting a completed Request for Public Records Form in person or via mail to any of the following locations:
Columbia County Sheriff's Office
2269 County Camp Road, Bldg G-2
Appling, GA 30802
Columbia County Sheriff's Office Substation
650A Ronald Reagan Drive
Evans, GA 30809
Copies of records obtained from the Sheriff's Office cost $0.10 per page, excluding applicable fees per hour of record search. Additionally, the agency runs a records website where residents can find information on arrests and other law enforcement activities within the county.
Communities in Columbia County may have independent law enforcement agencies operating at the municipal level. These agencies, commonly known as local police departments, also maintain records of arrests that occur within their respective jurisdictions.
Interested persons can obtain these records by submitting an official request at the relevant agency's Record Division or through its incident report website. The major local Police Departments currently serving municipalities in Columbia County include the Grovetown Police Department and the Harlem Police Department.
The Crime Information Center (GCIC) of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is the state-level repository for crime-related information, including arrest records. Local agencies are responsible for ensuring public access to arrest records maintained at the state level.
Therefore, to obtain GCIC-maintained records, visit the Columbia County Sheriff's Office with a valid picture ID and a $10 cash payment. If you intend to request someone else's criminal records, ensure that you have a Criminal History Consent Form completed and signed by the records subject.
The Superior Court is the major criminal court in Columbia County, with the Magistrate Court responsible for handling preliminary hearings, minor offenses, and ordinance violations. Records maintained by these courts often include details of arrests that result in criminal charges. Interested persons can obtain these criminal court records online through the Clerk of Court's Docket Search website. To obtain certified copies, visit the Clerk's Office at the courts' locations or submit an official request through the eCertification Portal.
Additionally, Columbia County arrest records may be accessed through third-party websites like InfoTracer. These platforms often feature user-friendly search tools that allow users to find records maintained by various agencies at different levels of government.
Statewide statistical data reveal that Columbia County has a crime rate of 7.79 per 1,000 residents. The table below shows a breakdown of the county's adult and juvenile arrest statistics.
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Driving Under Influence | 205 |
| Larceny | 99 |
| Drug Offenses | 61 |
| Simple Assault | 57 |
| Aggravated Assault | 12 |
| Robbery | 2 |
| Burglary | 4 |
| Homicide | 1 |
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Crime Data Explorer