DeKalb County Criminal Records Search

DeKalb County stores criminal records at the sheriff's office and the Superior Court in Decatur. Arrest records, booking reports, and warrant data go through the sheriff. The court clerk holds case files, indictments, and sentencing orders. Georgia law makes most criminal records public. You can look them up in person at the courthouse or use online tools from the GBI and other state agencies. This page has the details on how to search criminal records in DeKalb County.

DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency in the county. Sheriff Melody Maddox leads the office, which handles arrests, serves warrants, and keeps local criminal records. If you need a copy of an arrest record or want to run a criminal history check, this office is the place to start in DeKalb County. They can process requests through the GCIC system and help you file under the Georgia Open Records Act.

You can visit the sheriff's office in person or call ahead to ask what you need to bring. Most criminal record requests need a photo ID and a written form. The staff can tell you the current fees and how long it takes to get your records. For general questions about criminal records in DeKalb County, the sheriff's office is your first point of contact.

How to Find DeKalb County Criminal Records

Start your search at the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. Call 404-298-8111 or visit in person at 4415 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032. The staff can run a criminal history check through the GCIC database. They handle arrest records, booking data, and local warrants. Most requests need a photo ID and a written form.

You can also use state tools. The Georgia Open Records Act costs $15 and checks for felony convictions across Georgia. Results are instant but limited to felonies only. For a full criminal history, ask the sheriff's office to run a GCIC check. The Georgia Justice Project explains how the state handles these requests.

Open records requests work for court files too. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, you can ask for any public record held by a Georgia government office. The DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk keeps criminal case files including indictments, plea deals, and sentencing orders. Write your request with the person's full name or case number. The clerk must respond within three business days under state law.

Criminal Court Records in DeKalb County

Court records for criminal cases in DeKalb County are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Decatur. This office has files from felony trials, plea deals, and sentencing hearings. You can ask for copies of any document in a case file. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call the clerk to check the current fees.

Georgia has a statewide court system that connects many counties online. The GBI criminal history FAQ website has links to court info across the state. The GDC offender query provides search tools that may include DeKalb County records. For cases that went to appeal, the Georgia Supreme Court docket search covers the highest level of review.

State Resources for DeKalb County

Georgia runs several databases that cover criminal records from DeKalb County and the rest of the state. The Georgia Pardons and Paroles lets you look up anyone in the state prison system. It is free. You search by name, GDC ID, or case number. The Georgia Courts handles parole decisions and clemency for criminal cases across Georgia.

The DeKalb County DeKalb County Sheriff portal is at www.dekalbcountyga.gov.

This tool helps you find criminal records tied to DeKalb County cases.

Criminal Record Restriction in DeKalb County

Certain criminal records in DeKalb County can be restricted from public searches. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 sets the rules. If your case was dismissed or you were acquitted, you may be able to restrict the arrest record. For arrests after July 1, 2013, talk to the prosecuting attorney directly. For arrests before that date, file at the agency that made the arrest. It costs $25 per arrest to apply.

First offenders who complete probation can have their records restricted under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60. The Georgia Felon Search helps people in Georgia with this process. The Georgia offender search also has free info about criminal records and your rights. Record restriction does not erase the record. It just limits who can see it outside of law enforcement.

Note: Restricted records can still be seen by law enforcement and some government agencies in Georgia.

DeKalb County Criminal Records Resources

Several state resources can help DeKalb County residents deal with criminal records. The Georgia Felon Search offers legal help with record restriction and civil rights restoration across Georgia. Their staff knows the rules for each type of case.

For general info, the Georgia offender search has a guide on what you should know about criminal records in Georgia. It covers the basics of checking records, understanding what shows up, and how to get errors fixed. The GCIC helpline at (404) 244-2639 can answer questions about state-level criminal history records for DeKalb County and all other Georgia counties.

Cities in DeKalb County

DeKalb County includes several cities and towns. Criminal cases from all cities in the county are processed through the DeKalb County court system in Decatur. The cities below have their own pages with more local details about criminal records access.