Search Wilkes County Police Blotter
Wilkes County police blotter records cover arrests, incidents, and crime reports from this east Georgia county. Washington serves as the county seat. Sheriff Darrell Powers leads the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office, which handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas and manages the county jail. The Georgia Open Records Act protects public access to police blotter data from Wilkes County agencies. You can request incident reports, arrest logs, and booking records directly from the sheriff's office or use state online tools to search for certain police blotter entries filed by state agencies operating in Wilkes County.
Wilkes County Quick Facts
Wilkes County Police Blotter Office
The Wilkes County Sheriff's Office is the main source for police blotter records in the county. Sheriff Darrell Powers operates from 225 Alexander Drive in Washington. The phone number is (706) 678-2224. Deputies patrol unincorporated Wilkes County, and the office runs the county jail. Every arrest and booking generates a record that becomes part of the police blotter.
The city of Washington has its own police department that covers calls inside city limits. Do not confuse Wilkes County's county seat of Washington with Washington County, which is a different county entirely. If you need a police blotter record from Wilkes County, start with the sheriff's office. Staff can confirm whether the incident address falls in their jurisdiction or belongs to the Washington city police. The smaller size of Wilkes County means most calls go through the sheriff's office.
Visit during business hours for walk-in requests. Bring identification with you.
| Office | Wilkes County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 225 Alexander Drive, Washington, GA 30673 |
| Phone | (706) 678-2224 |
| Sheriff | Darrell Powers |
Wilkes County Police Blotter Open Records
Georgia's Open Records Act gives you the right to request police blotter entries from Wilkes County agencies. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 defines public records as any documents created or maintained by a government agency. Arrest reports, incident logs, and booking data from the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office are all included. You do not need to provide a reason for your request.
Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, the agency has three business days to respond. The Wilkes County Sheriff's Office usually meets this deadline. Standard copies cost up to 10 cents per page. The first 15 minutes of search time are free. After that, an hourly charge may apply at the rate of the lowest-paid qualified person. Most police blotter requests from Wilkes County cost just a few dollars at most.
O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 lists exemptions for active investigations and confidential information. The basic police blotter entry from Wilkes County is almost always available to the public.
Note: Submit requests in writing to create documentation and start the three-business-day clock.
State Patrol Police Blotter in Wilkes County
Georgia State Patrol troopers handle incidents on state highways in Wilkes County. SR 17, US 78, and SR 44 all pass through the area. State patrol police blotter records are filed separately from Wilkes County sheriff's reports.
Get state patrol records through the EPORTS online portal. A crash report costs $5.00. Incident reports are $2.00. Citations are free for the first copy. Wilkes County reports are generally available within three to five business days. EPORTS is useful for anyone who cannot easily travel to a state patrol office to get police blotter records.
Access EPORTS to request Wilkes County state patrol police blotter records.
Create an EPORTS account to search and order state patrol police blotter records from Wilkes County.
Wilkes County Police Blotter Data
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation gathers crime data from law enforcement agencies in Wilkes County. The GBI does not patrol roads. It provides lab services, investigative support, and data analysis. In smaller counties like Wilkes, the GBI may assist more frequently with serious cases. The GBI Records Request Center handles open records requests for their investigative files.
Criminal history records require consent under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34 unless limited to Georgia felony convictions. The GBI maintains the Georgia Sex Offender Registry, which is free to search for offenders in Wilkes County. Tips about crime go through the GBI online tip form.
Wilkes County Offender Search
The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search shows people serving state prison sentences after a Wilkes County conviction. Photos are included when available. This covers state prison only. People in the Wilkes County jail or federal facilities are not listed.
For current inmates in the Wilkes County jail, contact the sheriff's office at (706) 678-2224. Booking records are public under Georgia law. They show who is in custody, the charges, and the booking date. This data is part of the Wilkes County police blotter. A name and approximate date help staff find records faster.
Wilkes County Police Record Fees
Fees for police blotter records in Wilkes County follow state guidelines. Standard copies are up to 10 cents per page. Certified copies add $2.00. The first 15 minutes of search time are free. The DPS fee schedule outlines what agencies can charge for search time and copies.
EPORTS charges $5.00 for state patrol crash reports from Wilkes County. Incident reports cost $2.00. Your first citation copy is free. These fees apply to state records only. The Wilkes County Sheriff's Office may set slightly different rates for local police blotter files. Most single-report requests cost well under $10. Call ahead if cost matters to you.
Reading Wilkes County Police Reports
A police blotter entry from Wilkes County contains the date, time, and location of the incident. A narrative describes what happened. If there was an arrest, the report lists the person's name, charges, and the arresting officer. A case number connects all related documents for each Wilkes County event.
Georgia law requires certain personal information to be removed before release. Phone numbers, day and month of birth, and medical details are redacted from Wilkes County police blotter records. The year of birth stays. Addresses may be partially blocked. You get a version that protects privacy while providing the key facts. If you are a party to the case, you may get a more complete copy from the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office. Attorneys can sometimes request less-redacted versions through proper legal procedures.
Check the Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory to verify contact details for the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office before requesting records.
Use this directory to confirm the correct Wilkes County Sheriff's Office address and phone number.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with Wilkes County. An incident near a county line could be filed by a neighboring agency. Verify the exact location before requesting police blotter records.