DeKalb County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In DeKalb County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in DeKalb County may access publicly available information through official government repositories, court systems, and aggregator platforms such as DeKalbCountyRecords.us. Criminal record data maintained by county and state agencies may include arrest histories, court case filings, dispositions, sentencing records, and incarceration information. The availability and completeness of any record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the case, and applicable state law governing public disclosure.
Records that may be found through official and third-party sources include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Inmate and jail roster information
- Sex offender registration data
- Active warrant information
- Probation and parole records
Members of the public may search criminal records in DeKalb County through the following methods:
1. County Court Records
The DeKalb County Superior Court maintains case files for felony and major criminal matters, while the DeKalb County State Court handles misdemeanor cases. In-person access to court records is available at the courthouse during business hours. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk
556 N. McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: (404) 371-2836
DeKalb County Superior Court
Public access terminals are available in the clerk's office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2. Sheriff's Office
The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate information. The public may request records through the Records Division. Fees may apply for copies of incident or arrest reports.
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
4415 Memorial Drive
Decatur, GA 30032
Phone: (404) 298-8200
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Georgia Courts' statewide case search portal, eAccess, allows members of the public to search Superior and State Court records by party name or case number. Users should enter the full legal name of the subject, select DeKalb County as the jurisdiction, and review all returned case entries. Note that not all historical records are available online, and the portal does not include sealed or expunged matters.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) maintains the state's centralized criminal history repository. Individuals and authorized entities may submit a formal request for a criminal history background check. Fingerprint-based submissions are required for certified background checks. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation – GCIC
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
Phone: (404) 244-2600
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
5. Written or Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be submitted to the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk at 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies are required to respond to open records requests within three business days.
What Is DeKalb County Criminal Record
A criminal record in DeKalb County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under Georgia law, a criminal record may encompass arrest data, charges filed, court proceedings, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing information, and post-conviction supervision status.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest without a subsequent conviction does not constitute a criminal conviction under Georgia law.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are more serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in county and state records.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are subject to confidentiality protections under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-701 and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for arrest, while historical records document past criminal justice involvement.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in DeKalb County include:
- DeKalb County Sheriff's Office – arrest records, booking records, jail records
- DeKalb County Superior and State Courts – case filings, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GCIC) – statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments – incident and arrest reports originating from municipal jurisdictions
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through arraignment, pretrial proceedings, plea or trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or supervision. The DeKalb County Superior Court serves as the primary repository for felony court records within the county.
Are Criminal Records Public In DeKalb County
Criminal records in DeKalb County are subject to public disclosure under the Georgia Open Records Act, codified at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq. The Act establishes that all public records are open for personal inspection and copying by any citizen of Georgia, unless otherwise exempted by law. As stated in the statute, "all public records of an agency shall be open for personal inspection and copying, except those which by order of a court of this state or by law are specifically exempted from disclosure."
Records that are accessible to the public include adult conviction records, court case filings, sentencing orders, and booking information. Records that are restricted from public disclosure include:
- Juvenile adjudication records, sealed pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-11-701
- Expunged or restricted records under Georgia's record restriction statutes
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Pardoned offenses where restriction has been granted
The Georgia Attorney General's office provides guidance on open records obligations applicable to state and county agencies. Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed separately under federal law and are not subject to Georgia's Open Records Act.
How To Find Criminal Records in DeKalb County Online
Official County Resources
The DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk provides online access to court case information through the Georgia Courts' eAccess portal. Users may search by party name or case number and filter results by county and case type. The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office publishes a current inmate search tool on its official website, allowing the public to view current jail roster information including booking charges and bond status.
State-Level Resources
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation offers a sex offender registry search accessible to the public at no charge. The Georgia Felon Search maintained by the Georgia Department of Corrections allows users to search for individuals currently or previously under state correctional supervision.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Note that records predating digital systems may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public-facing portals
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating electronic filing systems are not uniformly digitized. Online searches do not substitute for certified background checks required for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search DeKalb County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. In-person inspection of court records is available at the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk's office at 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030, during regular business hours. Copying fees apply to reproduced documents.
2. Free Online Databases
The following resources are available at no cost:
- Georgia eAccess Court Portal – court case search by name or case number
- DeKalb County Sheriff Inmate Search – current jail roster
- Georgia Sex Offender Registry – statewide registry search
- Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Search – corrections supervision records
3. Sheriff's Logs
The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office publishes daily arrest and booking information accessible through its public website.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court document | $2.50 per page (Superior Court) |
| Official GBI background check | $25.00 per request |
| Staff-assisted record search | Varies by agency |
| Fingerprint-based criminal history | $25.00 (GBI) |
| Expedited processing | Additional fees may apply |
Fee schedules are subject to change and are governed by applicable Georgia statutes. Agencies may charge for the actual cost of search, retrieval, and reproduction under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71.
What's Included in a DeKalb County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record maintained by DeKalb County agencies and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond amount, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court of jurisdiction, filing date, statutory charges (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome of the case, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution orders, conditions of probation or parole, and any appeals filed.
Additional Record Categories
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI and DWI adjudications
- Traffic-related criminal violations
- Pending charges and open cases
NOT Included in Public Criminal Records
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-701)
- Expunged or restricted records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI
- Charges dismissed through completed diversion programs
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may submit a correction request to the originating agency or to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Maintaining accurate records is essential for employment, licensing, and housing purposes.
How Long Does DeKalb County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Georgia's record retention requirements for criminal justice records are governed by the Georgia Records Act and schedules established by the Georgia Archives. County courts and law enforcement agencies are required to adhere to state-mandated retention schedules.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Minimum 5 years; varies by agency |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Retained with disposition noted |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 21; subject to destruction per O.C.G.A. § 15-11-701 |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
- County courts retain case files permanently in accordance with Georgia court records retention rules.
- Sheriff and jail records are retained for a minimum period established by the Georgia Records Retention Schedule for local government.
- Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GCIC) retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper documents. Physical records may be destroyed following scanning and digital preservation, provided the electronic copy meets archival standards.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period.
- Sealing restricts public access to a record while preserving it for law enforcement use.
- Expungement (Record Restriction) under Georgia law refers to the restriction of a criminal record from public view. Georgia uses the term "record restriction" rather than expungement. Eligible individuals may petition for restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, which governs the restriction of criminal history record information. Restricted records remain accessible to criminal justice agencies and certain licensed employers.
Old Records Access
Records predating electronic filing systems may require special requests to the court clerk or may be located in the Georgia Archives. Availability varies by case type and originating agency.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are maintained separately from state and county systems. Federal records are not subject to Georgia's Open Records Act.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain on an individual's criminal record indefinitely unless restricted by court order. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of most criminal records to seven years for certain employment purposes, though no such limitation applies to positions with salaries above applicable thresholds. Professional licensing boards in Georgia may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction. Even where a county agency has destroyed physical records, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless the record has been legally restricted pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37.