Find Putnam County Bench Warrants

Bench warrants in Putnam County are issued when someone fails to show up for a court date or breaks the conditions of their bond. Putnam County has roughly 22,000 residents, and the county seat is Eatonton. The Putnam County Sheriff's Office on Ridley Drive is the agency that handles all active bench warrants in the county. If you need to check on a bench warrant, you can call the sheriff's office or visit the courthouse in Eatonton. There is no online warrant search tool for Putnam County, so direct contact with law enforcement is the way most people get answers about their warrant status and learn what steps to take to clear things up.

Putnam County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Howard Sills leads the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. This agency handles the processing and service of bench warrants throughout the county. When a judge signs a bench warrant in Putnam County, the sheriff's office receives the order and logs it into the local records system. The warrant data then goes to the Georgia Crime Information Center database maintained by the GBI. Once in that state system, the warrant becomes accessible to law enforcement officers across Georgia and nationwide through the National Crime Information Center. The office at 111 Ridley Drive in Eatonton is the main location for all warrant inquiries in Putnam County.

You can call 706-485-8557 to reach the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. Staff may not share all warrant details over the phone. An in-person visit with a valid photo ID gives you the best chance of getting complete information. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory has contact details for every county sheriff in Georgia.

Note: Putnam County does not offer a public online warrant search tool at this time.

Bench Warrant Search in Putnam County

There is no online search portal for Putnam County bench warrants. This is standard for mid-size rural counties in Georgia. Your best bet is to call the sheriff's office or visit the Putnam County Courthouse in Eatonton. The Clerk of Superior Court keeps records of all cases filed in the county and can confirm whether a bench warrant exists in a particular case. Walk-in requests are handled during normal business hours. Bring a valid photo ID.

The Georgia.gov warrant search guide describes the process for checking on warrants in any Georgia county. Most counties handle these inquiries in person or by phone. Putnam County works the same way. You provide your name and date of birth, and staff run a check through the records. If a bench warrant exists, they tell you what it involves and explain your options. Putnam County is in the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit, which covers several counties in central Georgia. Warrants from any county in the circuit go through the same state system.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory includes contact information for the Putnam County Sheriff's Office and other agencies across the state.

Putnam County Warrant Penalties

Missing a court date in Putnam County adds charges to your case. Failure to appear is a separate offense under Georgia law. Under O.C.G.A. 16-10-51, bail jumping on a misdemeanor carries up to 12 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Felony cases push the penalty to one to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. These penalties add to the original charge. Putnam County judges enforce them consistently.

Traffic bench warrants have their own set of penalties in Putnam County. Under O.C.G.A. 40-13-63, missing a traffic hearing can lead to a $200 fine and up to three days in jail. The court can also report the failure to the Georgia Department of Driver Services, resulting in a license suspension under O.C.G.A. 40-5-56. Getting your license reinstated costs $100 at DDS or $125 by mail. Those fees come on top of the original Putnam County fines.

Georgia law gives you a chance to act before the warrant goes fully active. Under O.C.G.A. 17-6-11, the clerk sends a notice and waits 30 days for traffic cases. Dealing with the matter in that window can stop the warrant from entering the statewide database.

State Agencies and Putnam County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation works with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office and other local agencies. The GBI does not issue bench warrants. It manages the Georgia Crime Information Center database where all Putnam County warrants end up after processing. GCIC connects to NCIC, which means a bench warrant from Putnam County can flag during a traffic stop in any state across the country.

The Georgia Courts sheriff directory provides contact details for the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. If you are unsure which agency handles your case or where to start, that directory is a helpful resource. Putnam County is in the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit, which covers Jones, Baldwin, and several other central Georgia counties alongside Putnam.

Open Records in Putnam County

Under O.C.G.A. 50-18-70, Georgia's Open Records Act allows anyone to request public records from government agencies. Bench warrant records from the Putnam County Clerk of Court or sheriff's office are included. Submit a request in person at the courthouse in Eatonton or in writing. The office must respond within three business days.

Bench warrants are public records once issued. The underlying case file is also typically public. Juvenile cases and sealed records are exceptions. A standard bench warrant for a missed court date in Putnam County is available for public inspection. There is no fee for the initial request, but copies of documents may have a small charge.

Note: Your request should be specific enough for staff to find the records you are looking for.

Nearby Counties

Bench warrants are county-specific in Georgia. The county where your case was filed holds the warrant. If you are not sure which county issued your bench warrant, check court paperwork or call the Putnam County Sheriff's Office at 706-485-8557. These counties border Putnam County.