Search Valdosta 72 Hour Booking Records

Valdosta 72 hour booking records are managed by the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office. All arrests made by Valdosta police go to the county jail for processing and booking.

Valdosta Police Department

The Valdosta Police Department is at 500 N Toombs St, Valdosta, GA 31601. Call 229-293-3091 for non-emergency questions. Officers patrol Valdosta city limits and handle arrests, but the department does not run a jail. Arrested persons go straight to the Lowndes County facility for booking.

Valdosta is the county seat of Lowndes County and the largest city in south-central Georgia. It sits close to the Florida border. The police department handles a steady volume of cases, from property crimes to drug offenses to domestic calls. Once an arrest happens, the suspect is transported to the Lowndes County jail. The booking record lists Valdosta PD as the arresting agency.

The Valdosta Police Department website has info on police services and community programs.

The Valdosta PD site shown above has contact details and links to reporting tools. For actual booking records and jail info, you need to go through the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office.

Lowndes County Sheriff Handles Bookings

Sheriff Ashley Paulk runs the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office. The mailing address is PO Box 667, Valdosta, GA 31603. Call 229-671-2900 for jail questions. All Valdosta arrests are booked at the Lowndes County jail. Staff process each person, take fingerprints and photos, and log charges into the system.

Lowndes County does not have a widely publicized online inmate search tool like some of the metro counties. To check on a recent booking, call the jail at 229-671-2900. Give them the person's full name and date of birth. Staff can tell you if the person is in custody, what charges they face, and whether bond has been set. If you need a written copy of a booking record, you may need to file an open records request.

The City of Valdosta website has links to city departments and services.

The Valdosta city site shown above can point you to various services. For booking records specifically, you will need to contact the sheriff's office directly.

The 72 Hour Booking Rule

Under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-26, anyone arrested with a warrant in Georgia must see a judge within 72 hours. This is the 72 hour booking rule. The clock starts at the moment of arrest. It runs through weekends and holidays without pause.

For warrantless arrests, the deadline is tighter. O.C.G.A. § 17-4-62 requires a hearing within 48 hours. Valdosta police make warrantless arrests in many situations, especially during traffic stops, domestic calls, or other incidents where an officer acts right away. If the hearing does not take place in time, the person can ask for release.

The Lowndes County Magistrate Court handles first appearances for Valdosta arrests. At this hearing, the judge reviews the charges and decides on bond. Bond amounts vary depending on the charge and the person's record. The first appearance is not a trial.

Public Records and Open Records

Booking records are public in Georgia. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, anyone can request booking records from the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office. You do not need to state a reason. The office has three business days to respond.

You can make a request by calling 229-671-2900 or by visiting the sheriff's office. Written requests by mail are also accepted. There may be a small fee for copies. Booking photos are included in the record, but O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19 restricts agencies from sharing photos with someone who will post them on a site that charges for removal.

For more detailed background info beyond a single booking, the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) manages state-level criminal history records. Call 404-244-2639 for instructions. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 covers how those records are kept and shared.

Statewide 72 Hour Booking Resources

The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search covers anyone sentenced to state prison. If a Valdosta arrest ended with a state prison sentence, this free search will show the inmate's current location, sentence details, and projected release date.

The VINE notification system lets you track an inmate after booking. Register for calls, texts, or emails when someone is released, moved, or has a court date. The VINE phone line is 833-216-6670. The service is free and covers Lowndes County along with most other Georgia counties.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association lists contact info for every sheriff in the state. If you need to check on a booking in another county near Valdosta, such as Brooks or Lanier, this directory is a fast way to get the right number.

72 Hour Booking Record Restriction

Some arrest records in Georgia can be restricted. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 allows a person to petition for restriction if charges were dismissed, dropped, or the person was acquitted. A restricted record will not appear in standard background checks. It does not erase the record. It just limits who can access it.

O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60 covers first offender treatment. If someone completed a first offender sentence, the conviction can be discharged and the record may be restricted. Not all crimes qualify for this. You need to file a petition with the Lowndes County courts. An attorney or the clerk of court can walk you through the steps for a specific case.

Restriction is not automatic. It takes a petition and sometimes a hearing. The process can take several weeks. Once granted, it limits future access to the booking record but does not delete it from existence.

Nearby Cities

Valdosta is the largest city in south Georgia. The nearest qualifying cities with booking info pages are listed below.

Hahira, Lake Park, and Moody Air Force Base are near Valdosta. Arrests in those areas also go through Lowndes County. Tifton and Douglas are in neighboring counties with their own sheriff's offices.

Lowndes County Booking Records

Valdosta is the county seat of Lowndes County. For full details on the county jail, booking procedures, and bond information, visit the Lowndes County page.