Appling County Arrest and Jail Records

Appling County recent bookings are maintained by the Appling County Sheriff's Office in Baxley, Georgia. Sheriff Mark W. Melton leads the agency. The office keeps records of all arrests and bookings. You can search these records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. The county jail holds inmates awaiting trial and those serving short sentences. Booking records include arrest details, charges, and custody status. O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7 requires sheriffs to keep detailed jail records available for public inspection.

Appling County Sheriff's Office Information

The Appling County Sheriff's Office operates from their main location in Baxley. Sheriff Mark W. Melton serves as the chief law enforcement officer. The office has several divisions handling different aspects of public safety. Chief Deputy Gene Davis oversees daily operations. Chief Jailer Captain Adam Bill manages the detention facility.

You can reach the Appling County Sheriff's Office using the contact details below. The main office handles general inquiries and records requests. The jail has a separate phone line for inmate information. The warrants division processes all active warrant requests.

• Address: 568 Range Street, Suite B, Baxley, GA 31513
• Main Phone: (912) 367-8120
• Jail: (912) 705-5248
• Warrants: (912) 705-5217
• Website: applingcoso.com

The Sheriff's Office provides many services to Appling County residents. Uniform Patrol Captain Jennotte Tanner leads road patrol operations. Investigations Captain Jeff Evans handles criminal cases. Training Coordinator can be reached at (912) 705-5239 for law enforcement education programs.

How to Find Appling County Booking Records

Appling County does not offer an online inmate search system. You must contact the Sheriff's Office directly to obtain booking information. The Georgia Open Records Act guarantees your right to access these records. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, agencies must respond to records requests within three business days.

Call the jail at (912) 705-5248 to inquire about current inmates. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody. They can provide basic booking details over the phone. For detailed records, you may need to visit the office in person. Written requests are recommended for official documentation.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association maintains a complete directory at georgiasheriffs.org. This resource helps you find current contact information for any Georgia sheriff. You can verify office hours and holiday closures before visiting.

What Appling County Booking Records Include

Booking records in Appling County contain specific information about each arrest. The booking process creates an official record. This record follows the case through the court system. Georgia law requires detailed documentation of all jail admissions.

Records typically include the arrestee's full legal name. Date of birth and physical descriptors are documented. The booking photograph shows the person's appearance at arrest time. The date and time of booking are recorded precisely. Arresting agency information is included in the file.

Charges are listed with relevant Georgia statute codes. Bond amounts and conditions appear in the record. The current custody status shows whether the person remains in jail. Release dates and discharge orders complete the file.

Understanding the Booking Process in Appling County

Booking begins when law enforcement brings a suspect to the jail. The process follows strict procedures. Staff follow O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7 requirements. Each step creates a record.

Officers first verify the arrestee's identity. They check for warrants. Medical screening follows next. Staff ask about health issues. The intake process takes one to two hours. Paperwork begins immediately. Photos and fingerprints are taken. The booking photo becomes part of the record. Staff collect personal property. Items are stored securely. Inmates receive jail clothing.

Charges are entered into the computer system. The magistrate sets bond. Some charges have preset amounts. Others require a hearing. Inmates learn their court dates. The process creates many records. Each document is public. You can request them.

Appling County Jail Visitation and Inmate Services

The Appling County Jail allows family visits. Visitation follows a schedule. Call ahead to confirm times. The jail number is (912) 705-5248. Hours may change without notice.

Visitors must follow all rules. Bring valid photo identification. Dress appropriately. No revealing clothing is allowed. All visitors are subject to search. Do not bring contraband. Cell phones are not permitted in the visitation area. Children must have adult supervision. Disruptive behavior ends visits early.

Inmates can receive mail. Send letters to the jail address. Include the inmate's full name. Books must come from publishers. No hardcover books are allowed. Commissary accounts accept deposits. Family can add funds. This lets inmates buy items. Hygiene products are available. Snacks can be purchased.

Georgia Open Records Act Access

The Georgia Open Records Act provides public access to government documents. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(4) specifically addresses arrest and booking records. These records must be made available for inspection and copying. Certain restrictions apply to how booking photographs can be used.

You can submit an open records request in writing or verbally. Written requests create a paper trail. The agency must respond within three business days. They may charge fees for copying and extensive research time. The first thirty minutes of search time are free.

When requesting booking photographs, you must sign an affirmation. This states you will not place the photos on websites charging for removal. O.C.G.A. § 35-1-18 establishes this requirement. Violations can result in criminal and civil penalties.

State Resources for Appling County Inmates

The Georgia Department of Corrections offers help. Their website provides useful tools. You can search for state prisoners. This covers felony inmates. The GDC Offender Search is free. Access it at gdc.georgia.gov.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association supports local sheriffs. They publish a county directory. Find contact details for any sheriff. Training standards are their focus. They promote professional law enforcement.

Victim services are available. The Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program helps. They cover medical costs. Counseling may be reimbursed. Lost wages can be claimed. Call 1-800-547-6000 for help.

Nearby County Booking Records

If you cannot find a record in Appling County, check surrounding counties. Arrests may occur near county borders. The following counties neighbor Appling County:

The Georgia Department of Corrections maintains records for state prison inmates. Their online search covers felony convictions. County jails hold inmates awaiting trial or serving short sentences. Always check both systems when searching for someone.