Webster County Records Access

Webster County police records are kept by the Webster County Sheriff's Office in Preston, Georgia. Sheriff Randy Dely leads the department, which handles incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, and other law enforcement files for the county. The records division processes requests under the Georgia Open Records Act. Webster County is one of the smallest and least populated counties in Georgia, and the sheriff's office is the only law enforcement agency maintaining police records for the entire county.

Webster County Sheriff's Office

The Webster County Sheriff's Office is the sole law enforcement agency for the county. The mailing address is PO Box 55, Preston, GA 31824. The phone number is (229) 828-7712. Sheriff Randy Dely runs the department. The office is open during regular business hours on weekdays.

Because Webster County is so small, the sheriff's office handles everything. There is no separate city police department. All police records for the county come from this one office. Incident reports, arrest records, and crash reports are all filed here. That makes the process simpler in one sense. You know exactly where to go.

Staff size is small in a county this size. That means the same people handling calls and patrols are also managing records requests. Be patient and give the office the full three business days to respond. If you call during a busy time, leave a message with your name, number, and a brief note about what you need.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association maintains a directory of all county sheriff's offices. It is a useful way to confirm the contact information for the Webster County Sheriff's Office.

The online directory lists the sheriff, mailing address, and phone number for each Georgia county. Check it before mailing your request to make sure you have the current address.

Records Fees in Webster County

Webster County follows the state fee schedule for police records. Copies cost $0.10 per page. Accident reports are $5 for parties involved. The first 15 minutes of research time are free under O.C.G.A. 50-18-71. After that, fees are based on the hourly rate of the employee doing the search.

If the cost is going to be more than $25, the office will give you an estimate before they keep going. You can agree to the cost or adjust your request. For a small county like Webster, most requests are straightforward and the fees stay low. A single incident report might only cost a dollar or two.

Payment is by cash, check, or money order. Make checks out to the Webster County Sheriff's Office. Card payments may not be available at this small office, so call ahead to check. In person payments work fine during office hours.

How to Get Webster County Reports

You can request police records from Webster County by mail, phone, or in person. Written requests are preferred because they create a record of what you asked for. Include your name, contact information, and a clear description of the records you need. Dates and names are important. Mail your request to PO Box 55, Preston, GA 31824.

Phone requests work for simple questions. Call (229) 828-7712 and ask about a specific report. The staff can check if the record exists and tell you the cost. In person visits are another option. Go to the sheriff's office in Preston during business hours and talk to someone at the front desk.

Georgia law requires a response within three business days. This means the office must tell you if the records are available, what it will cost, and when you can expect them. For simple requests, you might get the records sooner. For more involved searches, the office will keep you posted on the timeline.

Note: In a small county like Webster, the staff knows most residents. But the law does not require you to be a resident or explain why you want the records.

Georgia Open Records Law

The Georgia Open Records Act under O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 gives everyone the right to inspect and copy public records from Webster County. Police records, arrest records, and crash reports are all covered. You can make your request in writing or orally, though written is always better for your protection.

Initial incident reports and arrest reports are public in Georgia. They must be released even while a case is open. The full investigation file opens up after all court cases tied to it are done. Some records have exemptions. Records that would put someone at risk or expose a confidential source can be withheld. But the standard in Georgia is openness.

If your request is denied, the office must explain why in writing and cite the specific code section. You can challenge the denial in Webster County Superior Court. This right applies to everyone, not just county residents.

Webster County Accident Reports

Crash reports from Webster County come from either the sheriff's office or the Georgia State Patrol. Sheriff's deputies handle most crashes in the county. State troopers cover certain highways and respond to some calls in the area.

For sheriff's office reports, call (229) 828-7712 or mail your request to PO Box 55, Preston, GA 31824. For state patrol reports, use the EPORTS system at eports.gamccd.net. Reports cost $5 from either source. You need the date and location of the crash to find it.

Under O.C.G.A. 50-18-72, non-parties to the accident may need to provide a written statement explaining why they need the report. Parties to the crash can get the report without this extra step. The records staff can tell you exactly what you need to provide based on your situation.

Criminal History for Webster County

Court records in Webster County are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. These include case filings, charges, dispositions, and sentencing information. Court records are separate from police records. A police report covers the incident itself. A court record covers the legal case that followed.

For a statewide criminal history search, contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBI runs Georgia's criminal database. A search through the Webster County clerk's office only shows cases filed in that county's courts. Given the small population, the volume of cases is low compared to larger counties.

Note: Webster County is one of Georgia's least populated counties, so the court system handles a relatively small number of cases each year.

Nearby Counties

If you need police records from areas around Webster County, check these neighboring counties.