Mitchell County Arrest Records

Arrests occur in Mitchell County, Georgia, when law enforcement officers have probable cause to believe a person has committed a crime or when they witness a crime. Arrests may also follow the issuance of a valid arrest warrant by the Mitchell County Superior Court. Once a person is arrested, they are generally detained at the Mitchell County Jail. The Mitchell County Sheriff's Office is responsible for carrying out arrests and maintaining arrest records within the county. These may also form part of the Mitchell County court records when charges are filed and the case goes to court.

Are Arrest Records Public in Mitchell County?

Arrest records in Mitchell County are public under Georgia's Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70). Anyone may request access to most arrest information from the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office. However, there are several exceptions to this general rule. Records like mugshots, military discharge records, and cases closed without conviction are restricted from public view. Requests for arrest records in Mitchell County may be made in person or by contacting:

Mitchell County Sheriff's Office
4760 GA Highway 37 East,
Camilla, GA 31730
Phone: (229) 336-2030

Requesters may be asked to complete a form and pay a nominal copy fee.

Mitchell County Arrest Statistics

Using the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data structure as presented via GBI publications for 2019, Mitchell County, Georgia reported very low arrest numbers for violent crimes (2 total) and property crimes (29 total, 17 Burglary and 12 Larceny arrests). The FBI's UCR program also reports that Georgia's 2022 data reflected over 27,000 arrests, including more than 10,000 for violent crimes and nearly 18,000 for property-related offenses.

Local trends in Mitchell County reflect those of other rural Georgia counties, with arrests most frequently occurring for offenses such as assault, theft, drug possession, and probation violations. The Mitchell County Sheriff's Office may periodically release reports with local statistics, offering insights into arrest patterns and jail population trends.

Find Mitchell County Arrest Records

Mitchell County Sheriff's Office

The Mitchell County Sheriff's Office maintains an inmate roster or booking log that includes current detainees. However, the Sheriff's website doesn't have an inmate search section. Therefore, contacting the jail directly or visiting the Sheriff's website is the best starting point:

Mitchell County Sheriff's Office
4760 GA Highway 37 East,
Camilla, GA 31730
Phone: (229) 336-2030

Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)

While the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) primarily provides information on incarcerated persons, its Offender Search Tool may help identify individuals sentenced to prison following arrest. Individuals typically have to navigate to the GDC website to access the "Offender Search" tool, where they may search for inmates by name, ID, or case number.

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)

Individuals may also use the BOP online inmate locator to search for incarcerated inmates in Georgia. They may search by name, DOC number, or prison facility. This resource will show the inmate's current status and location within the federal prison system.

Mitchell County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Although related, arrest records and criminal records are not interchangeable. Arrest records document the initial apprehension of a person suspected of a crime. They include details about the arresting agency, alleged charges, and booking information. In contrast, criminal records are much more comprehensive than arrest records. They include all interactions a person has had with the criminal justice system, including arrests, charges, court proceedings, convictions, and sentencing.

Criminal and arrest records are maintained primarily by the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office. The Mitchell County Clerk of Superior Court also maintains and provides access to court records, including those related to criminal cases. The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) aggregates criminal and arrest records from arresting agencies and courts statewide.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

The Georgia Code does not authorize the automatic removal of arrests from a person's record after a fixed time or upon the satisfaction of specified criteria. Also, Mitchell County does not permit the physical destruction of arrest records, and the only procedures approved to reduce the effects of an arrest record are a record restriction (under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37) for adult records and sealing for juvenile records.

In both cases, the record holder typically has to apply for the relief. If granted, the record will become restricted or concealed from the public's eye for all intents and purposes, as if the matter never occurred. However, the record will not be destroyed or deleted. Hence, an arrest remains on a person's file indefinitely in Georgia.

Mitchell County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a court to detain a person suspected of a crime. In Mitchell County, warrants are typically issued when there is probable cause to believe an individual committed a crime or a person fails to appear in court.

To issue an arrest warrant in Mitchell County, law enforcement officers typically have to present sufficient evidence to the Mitchell County Superior Court to justify the issuance of the warrant. Once issued, the warrant empowers officers to arrest the individual named and bring them before a judge. An arrest warrant contains the following:

• The name of the accused
• The alleged offense
• Time and location of the crime
• Description of the criminal activity
• Name of the victim and property

Do Mitchell County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In general, arrest warrants in Mitchell County do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until executed or recalled by the court. Georgia law does not impose a statute of limitations on the validity of arrest warrants, particularly for serious offenses. However, certain factors, such as the availability of the suspect or changes in prosecutorial interest, may affect the enforcement of a warrant in Mitchell County. Only search warrants in Georgia have a specific expiration period (10 days). Arrest and bench warrants remain active unless lawfully cleared.

Expunge Mitchell County Arrest Records

The process for restricting an arrest record in Mitchell County, Georgia, depends on the arrest date. For arrests before July 1, 2013, individuals typically submit a restriction request to the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office, which forwards it to the prosecutor. For arrests on or after that date, requests go directly to the Mitchell County Superior Court Clerk or solicitor-general.

The process involves completing a restriction form, submitting court documents, paying up to $50 in fees, and waiting up to 90 days for a decision. If approved, the prosecutor sends the request to the Georgia Crime Information Center for processing. Denied requests may be appealed in the superior court within 30 days. Approved forms should be mailed to:

Georgia Crime Information Center Record Restrictions
P.O. Box 370808,
Decatur, GA 30037-0808.