Jeff Davis County Bench Warrants

Bench warrants in Jeff Davis County are issued by judges when a person misses a scheduled court date or violates their bond conditions. Jeff Davis County is a small county in southeast Georgia with Hazlehurst as the county seat. The population is around 15,000 people. Sheriff Preston Bohannon runs the sheriff's office that handles all bench warrant service and processing in the county. There is no online warrant lookup for Jeff Davis County. If you need to check on an active bench warrant, you must contact the sheriff's office by phone or go in person to the office in Hazlehurst. The courthouse also has the Clerk of Superior Court for case records.

Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Preston Bohannon leads the Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Office in Hazlehurst. The office handles all bench warrants from Jeff Davis County courts. After a judge signs a bench warrant, the sheriff's staff logs it into the county system and forwards it to the Georgia Crime Information Center. The GCIC connects to the national NCIC database. Any law enforcement officer in the country can pull up an active Jeff Davis County bench warrant during a name check. The warrant remains in the system until it is served or the court recalls it.

Reach the Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Office at 912-375-6600. Staff field warrant questions during normal business hours. For in-person visits, bring a valid photo ID.

How to Check Bench Warrants in Jeff Davis County

Jeff Davis County does not have an online bench warrant search tool. The county's records are maintained in local systems without a web portal for public access. To find out if there is an active bench warrant, call the sheriff's office at 912-375-6600 or visit the office in Hazlehurst. The Clerk of Superior Court at the Jeff Davis County Courthouse can also look up case records. You will need to provide your full legal name and date of birth for any inquiry.

The Georgia.gov warrant search guide covers the steps for checking on active warrants in every Georgia county. For Jeff Davis County, the process is the same. Call the sheriff, identify yourself, and ask about your case. Keep in mind that showing up in person when a bench warrant is active can lead to immediate arrest. People in this part of southeast Georgia sometimes hire a lawyer first so the attorney can arrange a surrender with the court.

Note: Jeff Davis County is in the Oconee Judicial Circuit, which covers several surrounding counties in southeast Georgia.

Bench Warrant Penalties in Jeff Davis County

Georgia law treats missing a court date as a criminal offense. O.C.G.A. 16-10-51 covers bail jumping. If the original charge was a misdemeanor, failing to appear in Jeff Davis County court can bring up to 12 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. For felony cases, the penalty goes to one to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. These come on top of the original charge. Bench warrants in Jeff Davis County have no expiration. They sit in the database until resolved.

Traffic bench warrants are a particular concern in a rural county like Jeff Davis where people can sometimes lose track of court dates. O.C.G.A. 40-13-63 makes failure to appear on a traffic citation a separate offense. The fine is up to $200 with up to three days in jail. On top of that, the court can ask the Georgia Department of Driver Services to suspend your license. Reinstatement runs $100 at a DDS office or $125 by mail. O.C.G.A. 17-6-11 requires the clerk to mail a 30-day notice before the traffic bench warrant takes effect.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association website helps locate the Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement contacts across the state.

State Agencies and Jeff Davis County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the statewide GCIC database where Jeff Davis County bench warrants are stored. The GBI tip line at 1-800-597-8477 takes calls about fugitives with active warrants. The Georgia Courts sheriff directory is a state-run resource that lists every county sheriff in Georgia with addresses and phone numbers.

Jeff Davis County is part of the Oconee Judicial Circuit. The Superior Court handles felony cases and serious bench warrants. The Magistrate Court covers minor offenses. Both courts issue bench warrants and send them to the sheriff's office for enforcement.

Jeff Davis County Public Records

Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 allows anyone to request public records from Jeff Davis County. Bench warrants are public records once issued. File a written request with the Clerk of Superior Court or the sheriff's office. Include the person's name, date of birth, and any case numbers. The law requires a response within three business days.

Some warrant records may be restricted before service. After the arrest or court appearance, full records become available. Juvenile cases and sealed records are exceptions. For a quick check, calling the sheriff at 912-375-6600 is the most direct approach.

Note: Jeff Davis County is a small office, so plan for possible delays during periods with reduced staffing.

Nearby Counties

Bench warrants are tied to the county court that issued them. Jeff Davis County is in southeast Georgia and borders several other counties. Check your court documents to confirm which county holds your case.