>Chatham County Arrest Records Online

Chatham County, Georgia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Chatham County, Georgia?

Arrest records are public in Chatham County, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation mandates that public records, including arrest records, remain accessible to members of the public. The Georgia Open Records Act serves to enhance governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to public information maintained by state and local agencies. Under this statute, law enforcement agencies in Chatham County are required to make arrest records available for public inspection, subject to certain statutory exemptions that may apply to ongoing investigations or juvenile records as specified in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Chatham County?

Arrest records can be accessed online in Chatham County through various governmental platforms. The Chatham County Sheriff's Office maintains a booking database that provides information about recent arrests. Additionally, the Chatham County Court System offers electronic access to court records related to criminal cases. These digital resources have been established in accordance with Georgia's commitment to public information accessibility as outlined in the Open Records Act.

The Chatham County Sheriff's Office Bookings portal provides a 24-hour record of recent bookings, including names, charges, and booking information. For more comprehensive searches, the Criminal Records Division of the Superior Court Clerk's office maintains electronic records of criminal court filings and proceedings.

How to Look Up Chatham County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Chatham County arrest records may utilize several official channels:

Online Database Access: The Chatham County Sheriff's Office maintains a searchable database of recent bookings and arrests. Additionally, the Georgia Courts E-Access portal provides electronic access to court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Records Unit of the Chatham County Police Department located at 295 Police Memorial Drive, Savannah, GA 31405. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: 912-652-6675.
Mail Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to:

Chatham County Sheriff's Office
1050 Carl Griffin Drive
Savannah, GA 31405
Phone: 912-652-7600
Official Website

Criminal History Requests: For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may contact:

Criminal History & Fingerprint Unit
Chatham County Sheriff's Office
1050 Carl Griffin Drive
Savannah, GA 31405
Phone: 912-652-7650
Official Website

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, requesters must complete a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) release form and provide proper identification when requesting criminal history records.

Contents of a Chatham County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Chatham County law enforcement agencies typically contain the following information as required by Georgia state law:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific charges filed, including Georgia Code citations
Arresting agency and officer information
Booking details, including booking number and facility
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint records
Bond information, if applicable
Court appearance dates
Case disposition information, when available

The Criminal Division of the State Court maintains these records in accordance with Georgia's records retention schedules. Certain information may be redacted from public records pursuant to exemptions under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, such as Social Security numbers, medical information, and certain personal identifiers.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Chatham County

Under Georgia law, specifically the Record Restriction law (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37), certain individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records restricted from public access. This process, formerly known as expungement, allows for the sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances:

Cases resulting in non-conviction (dismissals, nolle prosequi, not guilty verdicts)
First offender act completions (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60)
Conditional discharge completions (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-2)
Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders (under 21 at time of offense)

The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency. If approved at the agency level, the request is forwarded to the Georgia Crime Information Center for implementation. Individuals seeking record restriction must:

Submit a Record Restriction Application to the arresting agency
Provide court documentation showing case disposition
Pay any applicable processing fees
Wait for review and determination

Chatham County Superior Court Clerk
133 Montgomery Street, Room 304
Savannah, GA 31401
Phone: 912-652-7200
Official Website

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j)(1), individuals whose record restriction requests are denied may file a civil action in Superior Court to contest the denial.

Search Arrest Records in Chatham County

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