Find Richmond County Police Records
Richmond County police records are handled by the Richmond County Sheriff's Office in Augusta, Georgia. Sheriff Gino Brantley leads the department and manages all law enforcement records for the consolidated Augusta-Richmond County government. The sheriff's office processes incident reports, arrest records, crash reports, and other police files. Augusta is one of Georgia's largest cities, and the combined city-county government means the sheriff's office covers a wide area with a large volume of records. Anyone can request these records under Georgia's open records laws.
Richmond County Police Records Facts
Richmond County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff Gino Brantley runs the Richmond County Sheriff's Office from 400 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30901. The phone number is (706) 821-1068. Because Augusta and Richmond County have a consolidated government, the sheriff's office serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the entire area. The department is large and handles a high volume of incidents, arrests, and records requests every year.
Getting police records starts with an open records request. You can visit the office at 400 Walton Way, call, or submit a written request through the mail. Include the date of the incident, names of people involved, and the specific type of report you need. A case number helps the staff find the file faster. Due to the volume of requests that a county this size receives, written requests are strongly recommended. They create a paper trail and make it easier for both you and the records staff to track the status of your request.
The EPORTS online portal from the Georgia Department of Public Safety handles State Patrol reports from the Richmond County area.
If a Georgia State Patrol trooper worked an incident in Richmond County, use EPORTS to get that report. This is separate from the sheriff's office system, so check both if you are not sure which agency responded.
| Address | 400 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30901 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (706) 821-1068 |
| Sheriff | Gino Brantley |
Open Records in Richmond County
Georgia's Open Records Act covers every police record in Richmond County. O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 requires that public records be open for inspection and copying by any person. This includes the sheriff's office, the Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government, and any other public agency in the area. The law covers paper documents, electronic files, photos, video footage, body camera recordings, and all other formats. You do not have to be a resident of Richmond County or Georgia to make a request.
Richmond County agencies must respond within three business days. Under O.C.G.A. 50-18-71, they have to acknowledge your request and tell you whether the records exist, what the cost will be, and roughly when the files will be ready. They are not required to hand everything over in three days, but they must give you a substantive response. For a county as large as Richmond, complex requests can take time. Simple ones may be filled on the spot.
Fees follow state law. Copies cost $0.10 per page. The first 15 minutes of search time are free. After that, the charge is the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of doing the search. If the total exceeds $25, the agency must contact you for approval first. Given the size of the Richmond County government, there is a dedicated records staff familiar with these procedures.
Richmond County Accident Reports
Crash reports filed by Richmond County deputies or Augusta law enforcement are available through the sheriff's office. Call (706) 821-1068 to ask about a specific report. Have the date, location, and names of the people involved ready. Crash reports in Georgia generally cost about $5 for a copy. Parties to the accident can get their copy without extra steps.
State Patrol crash reports from the Richmond County area are on the EPORTS system. Each report is $5. You submit the request online and receive an email when the file is ready for download. The BuyCrash website is another resource. Some Georgia agencies post their crash reports there for online purchase. Augusta is a busy city with heavy traffic, so there is a steady flow of crash reports being filed.
O.C.G.A. 50-18-72 says that non-parties to a crash may need to give a written statement of need before the agency releases the report. This privacy measure protects the people who were in the accident. If you were involved, this rule does not apply. Attorneys and insurance companies request these reports regularly and know the process.
Note: Augusta's consolidated government means most crash reports go through the Richmond County Sheriff's Office regardless of whether the crash happened inside or outside the old city limits.
Criminal Records
Arrest records from the Richmond County Sheriff's Office cover every arrest made by deputies in the county. Booking information, charges, and photos are part of each police record. These records are public under Georgia law. Initial arrest reports are always available, even if the case is still under investigation. Given the size of the Augusta area, the sheriff's office processes a large number of arrests each year.
For a wider criminal history search, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the Georgia Crime Information Center. This database draws from all 159 Georgia counties and offers criminal history records that go well beyond what Richmond County alone keeps. The Richmond County Clerk of Superior Court is another source. The clerk handles court records showing charges, pleas, trial results, and sentences for cases in the local court system.
Police records and court records are maintained separately in Richmond County. A police record documents the arrest and the officer's report. A court record documents the legal proceedings that came after. You may need records from both the sheriff's office and the clerk of court to get the full picture on a criminal case in the Augusta area.
How to Request Records
Visiting the sheriff's office at 400 Walton Way in Augusta is one way to get records. Bring your ID and information about what you need. For straightforward requests, you may be able to get copies during your visit. The records staff can tell you what is available and what it will cost.
Mail is another option. Send your request to 400 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30901. Include your name, address, phone number, and a clear description of the records you need. Be specific about dates, names, and types of reports. The more detail you provide, the quicker the search will go. Phone requests at (706) 821-1068 work too. Georgia law allows oral requests, but a written one gives you better documentation if there are questions later.
The Georgia Sheriffs' Association has a directory listing every county sheriff in Georgia, including Richmond County. It is a good reference for checking addresses and phone numbers.
What Records Are Public
Most police records from Richmond County agencies are public. Initial incident reports and arrest reports are always available under Georgia law. Booking records, mug shots, 911 call records, citations, and crash reports from closed cases are public. Internal affairs records open 10 days after submission to the agency head. Body camera footage from the sheriff's office is generally subject to open records requests as well, though the volume of footage can affect the cost and time needed to fill a request.
Some information gets redacted before release. Social Security numbers are removed. Birth dates may be partially blacked out. Home addresses and phone numbers of law enforcement officers are protected. Medical and financial details in police records can be taken out. Records that would put someone in danger or reveal a confidential source may be withheld. Active investigation files can be held back, but initial reports stay public. Once the case closes or litigation ends, the rest of the file becomes available.
Note: Richmond County's large population means the records office handles a heavy workload, so expect longer wait times for complex requests compared to smaller counties.
Augusta City Resources
Because Augusta and Richmond County share a consolidated government, city and county police records go through the same office. The Augusta city page has more details about accessing records specific to the city area. The Augusta-Richmond County government also maintains online resources for various public services and records requests.
Augusta is the second-largest city in Georgia with a population of over 206,000 people. The consolidated government structure simplifies things in some ways. You do not have to figure out which agency handled your case. Everything goes through the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. For court matters, the Richmond County Superior Court and State Court handle cases from the entire consolidated area.
Nearby Counties
For police records from counties near Richmond County, check these pages.