Candler County Arrest Records and Booking Reports
Candler County booking reports are public records kept by the Sheriff's Office in Metter. Each report is created when someone is processed into the Candler County Jail, documenting the person's name, the charges brought against them, and the date of booking. The sheriff's office is the primary source for all jail and arrest data in Candler County. Anyone can access these records in person or by submitting a written Open Records request under Georgia law.
Candler County Quick Facts
Searching Candler County Booking Reports
The Candler County Sheriff's Office in Metter is where all local jail booking records are kept. You can view the public docket by visiting during business hours. Staff will help you find the entries you need by name or date. Walk-in requests are handled without any formal application, and you do not need to explain why you want to see the records.
If you need copies or are submitting from outside the area, use a written Open Records request. Georgia's Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.) requires a response within three business days. The first 15 minutes of search time costs nothing. Fees may apply after that for staff time. Mail and email requests are both accepted. If a request is denied, the denial must be in writing with the specific legal exemption cited.
Note: Candler County is a small east-central Georgia county. The jail holds a smaller number of inmates than metro counties, but the records are just as accessible and subject to the same state laws.
What Candler County Booking Records Show
State law defines the required content of every booking record. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the Candler County Sheriff must record the full name, age, sex, race, charges, and booking and release dates for every person taken into county custody. These are mandatory public records that apply to every person held at the jail, from those held for a few hours to those waiting months for trial.
Additional information often appears beyond the minimum requirements. The arresting agency, bond status, holds from other jurisdictions, and any transfer details may all be part of the record. Booking photos may be included as well. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19 prevents law enforcement from sharing booking photos with commercial mugshot websites. This applies to Candler County as it does to all Georgia sheriffs. Photos can be obtained directly through an Open Records request to the sheriff's office in Metter.
State Prison Records Through the GDC
Candler County booking records only cover the local county jail. Once someone is convicted and transferred to a Georgia state facility, the county records are no longer relevant. State prisoners are tracked by the Georgia Department of Corrections in a separate database from the county sheriff's records.
Use the GDC offender search to find anyone currently in a Georgia state prison. The GDC direct query form lets you filter by name or GDC ID. For certified written records, write to Inmate Records and Information, PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029. The Candler County Sheriff does not have access to GDC records and cannot help with state prison inquiries.
Georgia Department of Corrections offender search for state prison records
The GDC covers state prison inmates. Local Candler County jail records are kept at the sheriff's office in Metter, Georgia.
GBI GCIC Records for Statewide Criminal History
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Georgia Crime Information Center is a statewide criminal history database. GCIC covers arrest data, court dispositions, and sentencing records from all 159 Georgia counties. Unlike a county jail search, which only shows local data, GCIC provides a full cross-county picture of someone's criminal record in Georgia.
GCIC access requires a scheduled appointment. The GBI office at 3121 Panthersville Road, Decatur, GA 30034 does not allow walk-ins. Call 404-244-2639 to schedule. The GBI FAQ explains what to bring and what to expect. The GCIC overview page provides background on how the system works and what it covers.
VINE Alerts and Open Records Rights in Candler County
VINE covers Candler County and all other Georgia counties. Register for free at VINELink.com to get automatic notifications when an inmate's custody status changes. Choose phone, text, or email as your alert method. VINE monitors jail records continuously and sends alerts right away when something changes. You don't have to call the sheriff's office or check the roster manually.
Georgia's Open Records Act ensures that Candler County booking data is open to any person who asks for it. You don't have to live in Candler County, and you don't need a reason to request records. The law applies equally to everyone. For cases that moved from booking to formal prosecution, the Georgia Courts website lists Superior Court contacts and case lookup tools. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association publishes monthly data on Georgia county jail populations, including Candler County's neighbors and surrounding region.
Nearby Counties
Candler County is surrounded by several southeast Georgia counties. Each has its own sheriff's office and maintains separate booking records.