Criminal records in Richmond County, Georgia, are available through several channels. RichmondCourt.us allows quick access to public information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, the official court systems of Augusta-Richmond County, the Superior Court Clerk's Office, and the Richmond County Sheriff's Office provide access to arrest records, case materials, and court results.
How to Search Criminal Records in Richmond
Start your search with RichmondCourt.us — the site collects publicly available information on criminal cases in the county and allows searches by name or case number.
Online Search through Official Portals
- Case Management Search — the Augusta-Richmond County Clerk's Office offers online case search. Enter the last name, first name, or case number. The system covers Superior Court, State Court, and Juvenile Court. Note: Augusta does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of this data.
- E-Access through Georgia Courts — the E-Access to Court Records portal includes Richmond Superior Court. Account registration is required.
- Inmate Inquiry — to check if a person is in custody, use the Sheriff's Office inmate search tool. Simply enter the last name or first name.
- Georgia Department of Corrections — to search for state-level offenders, use Find an Offender.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferable but not always necessary)
- Case number (if known)
In-Person Visit
The Clerk of Superior, State & Juvenile Court office in the Augusta courthouse provides access to case materials. Public terminals allow direct viewing of court records.
Written Request
Requests for criminal records can be submitted through the Augusta Open Records Requests portal. For Sheriff's Office records (arrest reports, accident reports), the request is sent separately to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office — this is noted on the same portal page. State-level criminal history can be requested from the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) through fingerprinting.
Search Richmond Criminal Cases by Case Number
A Georgia case number usually consists of several elements: court prefix, filing year, and sequential number. For example, the format may look like this:
- Prefix — indicates the type of court or case category (criminal, civil, traffic, etc.)
- Year — two-digit or four-digit designation of the registration year
- Sequential number — unique numeric identifier within the year
If you have the full case number, enter it in the Case Management Search field. This is the fastest way to find a specific case — the system returns an exact result without the need to filter by name. When the number is unknown, try searching by last name and narrow the results by date or case type.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Richmond
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.), e.g., § 16-8-2 — theft |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may reduce or change charges during proceedings — the updated record is reflected in the case |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting review
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings scheduled
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — first appearance where the accused is informed of charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed
- Pre-trial — parties discuss agreements, motions, trial preparation
- Sentencing — punishment is assigned after a guilty plea
- Review — checking compliance with conditions, such as probation
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted by jury or judge |
| Dismissed | Case closed — prosecutor dropped charges or court dismissed the case |
| Nolle Prosequi | Prosecutor officially declined to prosecute |
| Acquitted | Complete exoneration after substantive review |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Richmond
Certified copies of criminal records are officially verified documents accepted by employers, attorneys, and government agencies.
Where to Apply
Clerk of Superior, State & Juvenile Court issues certified copies of court materials. For arrest records and police reports, requests are submitted to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.
How to Submit a Request
- Online — use the Open Records Requests portal. This is the recommended method.
- In Person — visit the clerk's office with valid photo identification.
- By Mail — send a written request to the clerk's address. Include the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), case number, and purpose of the request. Attach a copy of the ID.
Necessary forms are available on the clerk's office forms page. For state-level criminal history checks in Georgia, contact GCIC — the procedure requires fingerprinting through an authorized agency.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Richmond
Fees are set according to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71) and the local fee schedule of the clerk.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document Copy (per page) | $0.10 — standard rate under the Open Records Act for electronic copies; paper copies may cost $0.25 per page |
| Document Certification | $2.50 for the first page, $0.50 for each subsequent page (typical rate of the Superior Court Clerk in Georgia) |
| Record Search (search fee) | May be charged for administrative time according to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c) |
| Criminal History Check through GCIC | Depends on the type of check; typically $20–$30 for fingerprinting and processing |
Processing Time
- Open Records Requests — under Georgia law, a response must be provided within 3 business days. Complex requests may take longer, but the agency is required to notify of any delay.
- Certified Copies at the Clerk's Office — usually issued within 1–5 business days for in-person requests.
- GCIC Check — takes 5 to 15 business days depending on workload.
Payment is usually accepted in cash, money order, or check. Confirm with the clerk's office if credit cards are accepted for in-person visits.