Catoosa County, Georgia Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Catoosa County, Georgia?
Arrest records in Catoosa County, Georgia are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that records created, received, or maintained by public agencies during the course of their official duties are subject to public inspection. The Catoosa County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to document law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction. According to data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office has processed approximately 7,965 arrests over a recent five-year period, all of which generated public records.
Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and civic purposes, including:
- Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
- Facilitating background checks for employment and housing
- Enabling research on criminal justice trends
- Supporting journalistic investigation of public safety matters
- Allowing citizens to monitor governmental activities
The Georgia Open Records Act specifically designates that arrest records shall not be withheld from public disclosure except under limited circumstances prescribed by statute, such as ongoing investigations or matters involving juvenile offenders.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Catoosa County?
Digital access to Catoosa County arrest records is available through several official and third-party platforms. The Catoosa County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that provides limited information about recent arrests and inmate status. Additionally, the Georgia Courts' electronic access system offers a centralized portal for court records related to arrests throughout the state, including those in Catoosa County.
Online access to these records is governed by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which permits agencies to provide electronic access to public records. The statute authorizes reasonable fees for technology costs associated with providing such access. Users of online systems may encounter the following types of information:
- Basic arrest data including charges and dates
- Case status information
- Court appearance schedules
- Bond information
- Disposition of cases
Members of the public should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, complete arrest records with detailed narratives and evidence information may require in-person requests at the appropriate agency. Additionally, electronic access to court records often requires creation of user accounts and may involve service fees as permitted under state law.
How to Look Up Catoosa County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining Catoosa County arrest records in 2025, each with varying levels of comprehensiveness and convenience. Individuals seeking these records may utilize the following official channels:
Submit a records request in person at the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office Records Division, located at 5842 Highway 41, Ringgold, GA 30736. Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (706) 935-2323.
Access the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office online records portal which provides a searchable database of recent arrest information. Users must provide specific identifying information such as name and date of birth to conduct searches.
Visit the Catoosa County Clerk of Superior Court at 875 Lafayette Street, Ringgold, GA 30736. Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (706) 965-4037.
Submit a written request via mail to the Records Custodian at either the Sheriff's Office or Clerk's Office, including the required identification information and applicable fees as prescribed by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c).
Utilize the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) for statewide criminal history information that includes Catoosa County arrests. The GCIC is located at 3121 Panthersville Road, Decatur, GA 30034. Telephone: (404) 244-2600.
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. Current fee schedules are posted at each agency location and on their respective websites. Requestors should be prepared to present valid government-issued identification when requesting records in person.
Contents of a Catoosa County Arrest Record
Catoosa County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Georgia law enforcement protocols and the Georgia Crime Information Center regulations. These official documents typically include the following elements:
- Subject identification information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and residential address
- Arrest details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency and officer identification; arrest warrant information if applicable
- Criminal charges: All offenses for which the individual was arrested, including Georgia Code citations and charge classifications (misdemeanor or felony)
- Booking information: Booking number, fingerprint classification, and mugshot photographs
- Detention status: Information regarding bond amounts, release conditions, or continued detention
- Procedural history: Court appearances, preliminary hearing dates, and case disposition if available
- Prior criminal history: References to previous arrests or convictions within the jurisdiction
The comprehensiveness of arrest records is governed by Georgia Bureau of Investigation standards pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, which establishes uniform procedures for the collection, storage, and dissemination of criminal justice information. Law enforcement agencies in Catoosa County are required to maintain these records for specified retention periods according to state archival requirements.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Catoosa County
The process of restricting or expunging arrest records in Catoosa County operates under the provisions of the Georgia Record Restriction law (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37). This statute provides mechanisms through which certain arrest records may be restricted from public view under qualifying circumstances. Record restriction (formerly called expungement) may be available in the following situations:
- Cases resulting in non-conviction dispositions, including dismissals, nolle prosequi, or acquittals
- First offender act dispositions after successful completion of probation (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60)
- Conditional discharge completions for certain offenses (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-2)
- Arrests for misdemeanors committed by individuals under 21 years of age, subject to specific conditions
- Certain felony offenses after completion of accountability court programs, subject to prosecutorial consent
Individuals seeking record restriction must file a petition with the Catoosa County Superior Court, located at 875 Lafayette Street, Ringgold, GA 30736. The petition must include certified copies of the final disposition of the case and payment of applicable filing fees. The District Attorney's Office, located at 105 Public Square, LaFayette, GA 30728, reviews all petitions and may object within 30 days of filing.
Upon approval of a record restriction petition, the Georgia Crime Information Center will restrict the record from public disclosure, though it remains available to law enforcement agencies and for certain employment positions as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j)(4). The restriction process does not physically destroy records but limits their accessibility to authorized entities.
Search Arrest Records in Catoosa County.
