The Magistrate Court of Columbia County, Georgia, issues arrest warrants and search warrants for the county. According to Georgia law, the magistrate has to consider the evidence before a warrant can be issued. In the case of an individual who wishes to have a warrant issued against a suspect, the magistrate must set a date for a hearing. This is called a “Prewarrant” hearing. The individual who wishes the warrant to be issued must have a police report relating to the offense and must provide the name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address of the alleged offender. If the magistrate judge rules that there is sufficient evidence to issue an arrest warrant, it will be sent to the Columbia County sheriff’s department and received by the Records Section of the Administrative Services Division. The Records Section processes and files all types of records. In 2011, they processed almost 6,000 warrants. Once the active warrant has been filed, other law enforcement officials are responsible for locating and arresting the alleged offender. When the suspect has been apprehended, the case is sent to the District Attorney’s office, where it will be prosecuted.
To check on a warrant, contact the Columbia County sheriff’s office. The Records Section will also provide you with a criminal history report if you apply in person with a picture ID at the offices at Evans Substation, 650 A Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA, or 2273 County Camp Road, Appling, GA. You also must complete the Criminal History Consent Form, which can be downloaded from http://www.columbiacountyso.org/divisions/administrative-services. You may also get a copy of an incident report from the Records Section.
Furthermore, the sheriff’s department offers an online sexual offender registry, located at http://www.columbiacountyso.org/sex-offenders, as well as a list of Most Wanted suspects, which can be found online at http://p2c.columbiacountyso.org/p2c/wantedlist.aspx. Finally, the sheriff’s office offers an online inmate inquiry, listing arrest records and other information about incarcerated suspects. It is located at http://p2c.columbiacountyso.org/p2c/jailinmates.aspx.
How do you get information on Columbia County active warrants and arrests over the phone? (2021- Update)
- If you are interested in learning about recent arrests, contact the Detention Center at (706) 541-3920.
- If you want to learn about active warrants, call the law enforcement office at (706) 541-1044.
- If you need to know about a criminal investigation, contact the detective handling the case through the Communication Division- (706) 541-2800.
- If you are interested in basic information or want to register a non-emergency complaint, dial the following phone number: (706) 541-1042.
- If you want more information about obtaining criminal court records, connect with the Clerk’s Office at (706) 312-7139.
Crime Statistics of Columbia County, GA
The Columbia Sheriff’s Office got around 860 criminal complaints in 2019, which was less than half the 2100 plus cases received in 2019. The crimes handled by the police comprised more than 800 property-related offenses and over 40 violent offenses.
Nearly 700 larceny thefts, over 70 burglaries, and almost 50 motor vehicle thefts were included in the property offenses category. Around 30 aggravated assaults, 5 rapes, and 10 robberies were included in the violent crimes category.
Between the years 2008 and 2010, more than 8,000 crimes occurred in Columbia County, Georgia. They fell into larceny categories, auto theft, robbery, burglary, assault, rape, and murder. There was not a considerable variation in the number of crimes committed over the three years; in 2008, more than 2,500 crimes occurred, and the number dipped very slightly in the year after. In 2010, on the other hand, the number of crimes increased to almost 3,000. Although the variation is not significant, the crime rate increase is still a sobering sign for Columbia County.