Search Screven County Records

Screven County police records are managed by the Screven County Sheriff's Office in Sylvania, Georgia. Sheriff Norman Royal heads the department and is responsible for all law enforcement records in the county. The sheriff's office handles incident reports, arrest records, crash reports, and other police files that the public can access. Screven County is in east-central Georgia, and the sheriff's office is the main agency people contact when they need police records from the area. Sylvania serves as the county seat and the location of the main sheriff's office.

Screven County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Norman Royal operates the Screven County Sheriff's Office from 202 Rocky Ford Road, Sylvania, GA 30467. The phone number is (912) 564-2013. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Deputies cover the county, respond to calls, and write the incident and arrest reports that become part of the public record. The sheriff's office serves as the primary law enforcement agency for all of Screven County outside of municipal police jurisdictions.

To get police records, file an open records request with the sheriff's office. You can visit in person at 202 Rocky Ford Road, call by phone, or mail a letter. Include the date of the incident, the names of people involved, and the type of report you are looking for. A case number speeds things up if you have one. The staff will search their files and let you know what is available, along with the cost. Written requests are the preferred method because they create a paper trail for both sides.

The BuyCrash website lets you search for crash reports from Georgia law enforcement agencies and buy them online.

State Patrol crash reports from Screven County may be on BuyCrash for online purchase. Try this system in addition to calling the sheriff's office to make sure you find the right report.

Note: The Sylvania Police Department handles reports for incidents within city limits, so verify which agency responded before making your request.

Open Records Laws for Screven County

Georgia's Open Records Act governs all police records in Screven County. O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 says public records must be open for inspection and copying. This applies to the sheriff's office, any municipal police, and all other government agencies in the county. The law covers paper documents, electronic files, photos, video, audio, and every other format used to store records. Residency does not matter. Anyone can ask for records from Screven County agencies.

The response deadline is three business days. Under O.C.G.A. 50-18-71, Screven County agencies must acknowledge your request within that time. They have to tell you whether the records exist, what the fees are, and when you can expect the documents. They do not need to produce the actual files in three days, but they must give you a substantive answer. Simple requests may get filled immediately. Larger searches take more time, and the agency should give you a timeline.

Fees are set at the state level. Copies are $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 worker capable of doing the job. If the estimated total goes past $25, the agency must contact you before going ahead with the work.

Screven County Crash Reports

If a Screven County deputy worked a crash, the report is at the sheriff's office. Call (912) 564-2013 and 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 any additional requirements.

For State Patrol crashes in Screven County, the EPORTS system is the right tool. Reports cost $5 and are usually ready in a few business days. You request online and receive an email when the file is available. The BuyCrash website is also worth trying. Some agencies in Georgia upload their crash reports there for online purchase, which can be more convenient than calling or visiting the office.

O.C.G.A. 50-18-72 states that someone who was not a party to the crash may need to provide a written statement of need before the report is released. This is a privacy protection for accident victims. If you were in the crash, this does not apply to you. Attorneys and insurance companies routinely obtain these reports as part of their normal process.

Criminal Records

Arrest records from the Screven County Sheriff's Office document each time a deputy places someone under arrest. Booking details, charges filed, and photos are all part of the police record. These are public under Georgia law. Initial arrest reports are available even when a case is still being investigated or is going through the courts.

For a statewide criminal history search, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the Georgia Crime Information Center. This database has records from all 159 Georgia counties and provides a much broader view than what Screven County alone keeps. The Screven County Clerk of Superior Court holds court records. These include charges, pleas, trial outcomes, and sentences for cases that went through the local court system.

Police records and court records track different parts of the criminal justice process. The police record covers the arrest and the officer's observations. The court record covers the legal proceedings from that point forward. You may need to check both the sheriff's office and the clerk of court for a complete look at a criminal case in Screven County.

Note: Some cases in Screven County may be handled by the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, which covers several counties in the region.

How to Request Records

Visiting the sheriff's office at 202 Rocky Ford Road in Sylvania is the most direct method. Bring ID and the details of the record you want. For straightforward requests, you may be able to leave with copies. Staff can check right away if the file exists and what it costs.

Mail also works. Address your letter to 202 Rocky Ford Road, Sylvania, GA 30467. Put your full name, mailing address, phone number, and a specific description of the records you need in the letter. Include dates, names, and report types. Detailed requests get processed faster than vague ones. Phone calls to (912) 564-2013 are another option. Georgia law allows oral requests, but written requests offer more protection. If there is a delay or a dispute about what you asked for, having your request in writing helps settle things.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association publishes a directory with contact details for every county sheriff in Georgia, including Screven County. It is a handy tool for confirming addresses and numbers before you make your request.

What Screven County Records Are Public

Most police records from Screven County are open to the public. Initial incident reports and arrest reports are always public. Booking records, mug shots, 911 call logs, citations, and crash reports from closed cases are available too. Internal affairs records become public 10 days after submission to the agency head.

Certain information gets taken out before records are released. Social Security numbers are removed. Birth dates may be partially blacked out. Home addresses and personal phone numbers of law enforcement officers are protected under Georgia law. Medical and financial details in police records can be redacted. Records that would endanger someone or reveal a confidential informant may be withheld entirely. Active investigation files can be held back, though initial reports always remain public. When the case closes or litigation ends, the full file becomes available.

Nearby Counties

For police records from counties around Screven County, use these links.