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1. Where can I research where registered sex offenders live in Hall County?

There are two comprehensive options for researching residence location for registered sex offenders in Hall County.

• OffenderWatch
• Georgia Bureau of Investigation website

You may also access the National Sex Offender Registry database.

2. Where may a registered sex offender live?

No individual required to register as a sex offender shall reside within 1,000 feet of any child care facility, church, school, or area where minors congregate. Such distance shall be determined by measuring from the outer boundary of the property on which the individual resides to the outer boundary of the property of the child care facility, church, school, or area where minors congregate at their closest points.

3. Where may a registered sex offender work?

No individual required to register as a sex offender shall be employed by or volunteer at any child care facility, school, or church or by or at any business or entity that is located within 1,000 feet of a child care facility, a school, or a church. Such distance shall be determined by measuring from the outer boundary of the property of the location at which such individual is employed or volunteers to the outer boundary of the child care facility, school, or church at their closest points.

4. A registered sex offender has moved into my neighborhood, what should I do?

If you believe the registered sex offender is not in compliance with the law, you should contact the Hall County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Registry and Tracking Division at 770-531-6879. The SORT Unit can confirm if the sex offender is in compliance with the law, and if there are non-compliance issues the SORT Unit will open an investigation and pursue criminal charges.

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1. How are dispossessories served?

Once we receive a Dispossessory Proceeding from the court we make every attempt to promptly serve the Dispossessory. Your address for service must be correct since the Dispossessory Proceeding becomes the Writ of Possession to Evict (if issued by the Magistrate Court). If the address is not correct, we will not serve your Dispossessory. You will then have to amend the Dispossessory Proceeding, bring another service copy, and pay another service fee.

Find more information about Dispossessory Proceedings from the Hall County Magistrate Court.

2. How are evictions (Writ of Possession) handled?

Evictions (Writ of Possession) are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. You can contact our Eviction Section at 770-531-7090. for additional information. You have to obtain a certified copy of a Writ of Possession to Evict from the Clerk of the Court where you filed the Dispossessory Proceeding.

Once you have the writ you will then need to contact our office at 770-531-7090 to schedule the eviction. A fee of $25 will be billed to you for the eviction [this fee is set by state law, O.C.G.A. § 15-16-21 (b.)(12)].

A labor force of at least 2 people per bedroom for residential evictions is required. If you are aware that the house is "packed" (full of items) you should increase your labor force so that the eviction can be completed in 2 hours. We must know if any unhealthy conditions exist or may exist. Deputies do not assist in the physical removal of property.

The labor required for a business eviction will be determined on a case by case basis. We must know if any alcohol or cigarettes (for sale) are present (such as a bar or restaurant); flammables or hazardous materials; groceries; if the power has been turned off for a long time; if any unhealthy conditions exist or may exist. We also need to know generally what type of items will be found at the business, especially heavy or bulky items.

3. How do I apply for a Temporary Protective Order?

To apply for a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) under the Family Violence Act or under the Stalking Statute, go to the Clerk of Superior Court, who may be reached at phone number 770-531-7025. The Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except holidays. The Clerk's Office is on the ground floor of the Hall County Courthouse, in the general vicinity of the Sheriff’s Office.

Our Civil Division handles the service of Temporary Protective Orders. The direct phone number is 770-531-7090. The Civil Division is located within the Hall County Courthouse on the ground floor.

• Additional information about family violence (PDF)
• Directions to the Clerk of Superior Court

4. Where can I find the court fees?

You can find a listing of court fees on the city website.

5. Where can I find listings for foreclosure sales?

Numerous Foreclosures Sales are listed in The Gainesville Times Legal Section.

Please note that the Sheriff’s Office has nothing to do with this type of sale. It is a "non-judicial" sale that is done by an agent for the various law firms or mortgage holders that advertise the property. Each agent can be located in the Commission Meeting Room on the second floor of the Hall County Government Center, located at 2875 Browns Bridge Road, conducting sales.

Just as is done with Sheriff’s Sales, these sales are also held on the 1st Tuesday of the month, unless that day falls on a national holiday and then it is held on the day following the 1st Tuesday of the month. The sales are held during the legal hours of sale set by state law (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

6. How are foreclosures served?

Foreclosures can be served personally or by Tack and Mail. There is 1 charge to serve a Foreclosure ($25) and a separate and distinct charge to execute a Writ of Possession to attempt to seize your property as a result of a foreclosure ($25).

A Writ of Possession for Personal Property requires that the plaintiff file an "Election of Option" form with the Clerk of Court where the Writ of Possession was issued. This tells us whether to seize and sell the property or to turn the property over to the plaintiff or the plaintiff's agent after we seize the property.

7. How are garnishments served?

Garnishments are served like any other civil process.

8. I have a court order to get my child. Can the Sheriff's Office help?

As a general rule we can only do what we are ordered to do by any Georgia Court (Family Violence orders from other states is an exception to the rule since they can be enforced or served through the United States) or is a violation of Georgia criminal law.

9. I want to retrieve my property. Can the Sheriff's Office help?

As a general rule we can only do what we are ordered to do by any Georgia Court (Family Violence orders from other states is an exception to the rule since they can be enforced or served through the United States) or is a violation of Georgia criminal law.

10. How is a Notice of Forclosure of Right to Redeem handled?

Notice of Foreclosure of Right to Redeem is a complicated procedure used after a real property purchase at a Tax Fi. Fa. Sale. Consult your attorney regarding this procedure.

11. How is a Probate Order to Apprehend carried out?

Any order for this agency to pickup someone with a mental disorder or an alcohol or drug problem comes from the Hall County Probate Court. You have to apply to the Hall County Probate Court before we can pick the person up and carry him/her to a treatment facility for evaluation. Contact the Hall County Probate Court for more information at 770-531-6925.

If the Hall County Probate Court issues an Order to Apprehend, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Division will handle this type of order. For more information call the Warrant Division at 770-531-6907.

12. How and when are Sheriff's Sales conducted?

Sheriff's Sales are held the 1st Tuesday of the month, unless that day falls on a national holiday and then it is held on the day following the 1st Tuesday of the month. We do not always have something to sell. You can check on Sheriff's Sales in The Gainesville Times.

When there is a sale, it is held in the Commission Meeting Room on the 2nd floor of the Hall County Government Center, located at 2875 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville. Sometimes a sale is held at a different location. If there is a different location, the complete address of the location where the sale will occur will be listed in the ad.

Unlike many retail stores, you can not return anything purchased at a Sheriff's Sale. Therefore all sales are final. You must pay with either cash or a cashier's check (official bank check). Unless you present a State of Georgia Sales Tax Exemption form at the time you make a purchase, you will be charged sales tax on all personal products. Sales tax on vehicles is based on where the purchaser lives, not the county where the vehicle is sold. There is no sales tax on real property (real estate).

13. How are subpoenas obtained?

Subpoenas can be obtained from the Clerk of the appropriate court. A Sheriff's Entry of Service form must be completed for each subpoena that you want us to serve.

14. Can you assist me with a Writ of Fieri Facias (Fi. Fa.)?

We do not have any authority to enforce a judgment. Your judgment has to be converted to a Fi. Fa. by the Clerk of the Court where you obtained your judgment.

Please see the Writ of Fieri Facias page for more information.

15. How do I requset a real property levy?

Please see the Real Property Levy page for detailed instructions on requesting a real property levy.

16. I have civil papers that need to be served in Hall County. Where do I send them?

All civil papers to be served should be sent to:
Hall County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Civil Division
225 Green St.
Gainesville, GA 30501-3717

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1. If I have observed graffiti on a structure in Hall County whom should I contact?

Contact the Hall County / Gainesville Gang Task Force at 770-297-2291.

2. If I'm seeking information about items that were stolen from my vehicle whom do I contact?

Contact the Hall County Gang Task Force at 770-297-2291.

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1. What are the typical characteristics of a location that is dealing drugs?

This question is frequently asked, particularly by individuals who suspect they have someone dealing drugs in their neighborhood or community. While there are exceptions to the rule, some signs which might be indicative of a drug dealer's house are:

• Multiple visitors who stay just a short period of time (heavy traffic in and out)
• Occupant(s) of residence appear to live outside of their means. Fancy cars and other assets while the individuals are not gainfully employed or have no known legitimate source of income
• Law enforcement officers may have responded to the location, multiple times in the past, which in and of itself might be indicative of the presence of a criminal element
• The residence might have the windows obstructed or blacked out to prevent anyone from seeing inside from the exterior of the home
• Presence of pit bulls or other dogs that are aggressive in nature
• Unkempt lawn
• Occupants stay up all hours of the night and appear to sleep during normal business hours

2. What are warning signs that my teenager might be abusing drugs?

• At home: Loss of Interest in family activities, disrespect for family members or family rules, withdrawn from their responsibilities, verbally or physically abusive, sudden increase or decrease in their appetite, disappearance of valuable items or money, not coming home on time, constant excuses for their bad behavior, spending a lot of time in their room, finding the following: cigarette rolling papers, pipes, small glass vials, plastic baggies, remnants of drugs (residual amounts of marijuana, seeds partially burned marijuana cigarettes "roaches", as well as unknown pills, or residual amounts of methamphetamine or cocaine)
• At school: Sudden drop in grades, sleeping during class, not doing homework, defiance towards authority, reduced memory and/or attention span, poor attitude towards sports or other extracurricular activities
• Physical and emotional signs: changes friends, odor of alcohol or marijuana on breath or person, mood swings, unhappy and depressed, negative, argumentative, paranoid, confused, destructive or anxious. Sloppy in appearance

3. What are some signs of a potential methamphetamine lab?

Individuals who possess precursors for clandestine methamphetamine production such as: ephedrine or pseudoephedrine tablets (cold or sinus tablets), red devil lye (drain cleaner), muriatic acid, red phosphorous, anhydrous ammonia, plastic tubing, propane tanks which might have a bluish discoloration around the valve, laboratory type glassware, odors coming from the residence or location which have a chemical smell such ammonia, either, or cat urine, and lastly the production or accumulation of refuse which might include excessive amounts of cold blister packs (packages which contained ephedrine tablets), stained coffee filters, battery casings, discarded propane tanks with blue discoloration, etc.

While most of these items in and of themselves are not illegal to possess, accumulation of these items, particularly in abundance or when purchased or kept together, are signs of clandestine methamphetamine production.

4. Is marijuana a gateway drug?

While the argument might be presented that marijuana is not physically addictive or that it may not be as harmful as other illicit drugs or alcohol, national studies have shown that teenagers who smoke marijuana before the age of 17 are three times more likely to become dependent and move on to abuse cocaine, stimulants, hallucinogens, or other sedatives.

5. What are the most commonly abused drugs in Hall County?

Marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and pharmaceuticals (prescription drugs). This goes not only for Hall County but appears to be consistent nationwide. It is important to note that in Hall County, overdoses that lead to death are attributed more often than not to pharmaceutical drugs, as opposed to street drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine.

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1. What are the general guidelines for recovering released property?

• Any property released by the Hall County Sheriff's Office must be returned to the identified owner or the owner's designee. If a designed is to claim an item, the owner of the property must provide a notarized letter to the designee authorizing such release.
• The owner and the owner's designee are responsible for maintaining compliance with the law when taking possession of any property.
• Before firearms may be returned to anyone, the person(s) taking possession of the firearms must submit to a criminal background check. Disqualifications for possessing a firearm are as follows: a felony conviction, a conviction involving domestic violence, a pending felony or domestic violence case, or a bond order or other court device prohibiting the possession of a firearm.

2. My property was taken from me at the time of my arrest, how do I reclaim it?

The criminal case must be closed and permission must be given by the prosecuting agency (the Hall County District Attorney's Office, the Hall County Solicitors Office, or The United States District Attorney's Office) to return the items.

3. My firearms were seized pursuant to a Temporary Protective Order, what steps must I take to reclaim them?

The TPO must have been vacated by court order and an order from a Superior Court Judge stating the firearms seized pursuant to the TPO may be returned to you (or another person, if you are no longer legally eligible to possess a firearm). Before the firearm(s) may be returned, the person taking possession must pass a criminal background check.

4. My property was recovered after having been stolen, how do I have my property returned?

When claiming recovered property you will have to have either a serial number or some other type of identifiers to assure the property recovered belongs to you. This may have already been accomplished by the recovering officer / investigators. If the situation involves a suspect having been charged criminally the Hall County District Attorney's Office will allow the release of the property if it is not needed as evidence in the criminal case.

5. My vehicle was impounded by the Hall County Sheriff's Office, what steps must I take to have the vehicle returned?

Depending upon the situation in which the vehicle was impounded there are several avenues. If the vehicle was seized for evidentiary purposes, the prosecuting agency, (the Hall County District Attorney's Office, the Hall County Solicitors Office, or The United States District Attorney's Office) will make the decision to release the vehicle. If the vehicle was impounded and seized for forfeiture purposes, the vehicle must be held until the matter is settled by the courts. If the vehicle is stored at a private towing company the owner will be responsible to the towing company for any fees incurred.

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1. Do I need to schedule an appointment to personally speak to my investigator?

Yes, each investigator typically receives between 15 and 20 cases per month. Every case is important to us; however, this creates a situation where the investigator working your case will be working on other cases simultaneously. Bear in mind that every investigation requires interviews with witnesses, searches for suspects, searches through various databases like our pawn shop programs, and other field work.

Investigators spend a great deal of time outside the office. This means calling for an appointment will be the most efficient manner to see the investigator who is assigned to your case in person. Also, please don't be discouraged if you receive his voice mail when you call; again, he is most likely in the field and will return your call as soon as possible.

2. What actions are automatically taken regarding my case that I might not be aware of?

The circumstances of your case are automatically compared to other crimes occurring in the same geographic area. In many instances, there may be no suspects in your case but a suspect will be identified in another crime nearby. Any stolen items are compared to all the local pawn shops in the county to ensure your property wasn't pawned. If you have serial numbers on your stolen items, they are entered into a national computer database so that any law enforcement officer in the United States who runs that serial number will know the item is stolen.

There are also intelligence meetings among law enforcement agencies to compare the type of crimes occurring, how they occur and who is involved. This helps keep all agencies aware of the local criminals' activity; criminals do not obey jurisdictional lines between agencies. These are only a few of the steps that are taken during the course of an investigation, and of course the circumstances of each case will dictate what procedures will be effective.