Cherokee County, Georgia Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Cherokee County, Georgia?
Arrest records are public in Cherokee County, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records maintained by public agencies throughout the state. The Act specifically designates arrest records as public information, ensuring transparency in the criminal justice system and allowing citizens to monitor law enforcement activities.
The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state law. Members of the public seeking arrest information may submit requests to the Records Division of the Sheriff's Office. While most arrest records are accessible, certain exceptions exist under Georgia law, including records related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and records sealed by court order.
Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and civic purposes, including:
- Promoting accountability within the criminal justice system
- Enabling background checks for employment and housing
- Facilitating research on crime patterns and law enforcement practices
- Allowing media organizations to report on criminal activity
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Cherokee County?
Cherokee County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate search function that allows the public to access current detention information. Additionally, the Cherokee County Jail List portal offers searchable records of individuals currently in custody.
For comprehensive criminal history information, the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), operated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, maintains a statewide database accessible to authorized users. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, members of the public may request criminal history records with the appropriate consent forms or through proper legal channels.
Online access to these records is subject to the following limitations:
- Records may not be immediately updated following an arrest
- Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online versions
- Technical limitations may occasionally affect system availability
- Search capabilities may be restricted to specific parameters (name, date, case number)
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office
498 Chattin Drive
Canton, GA 30115
Phone: (678) 493-4200
Official Website
How to Look Up Cherokee County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Cherokee County. Individuals seeking this information may utilize the following procedures:
In-person requests: Citizens may visit the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM) to submit a request for arrest records. Requestors must complete a standard form and provide proper identification. Fees for copies are established pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71 and are payable by cash, credit card, or money order.
Online searches: The Cherokee County Inmate Search portal provides current detention information. Users may search by name, booking date, or other identifiers to locate records of individuals currently in custody or recently released.
Criminal history requests: For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals must submit a Criminal History Consent Form to the Sheriff's Office. This process requires fingerprinting and payment of applicable fees as established by state law.
Court records: The Cherokee County Clerk of Courts maintains records of criminal proceedings that may contain information about arrests. These records can be searched through the clerk's public access terminal or through their online portal.
Cherokee County Clerk of Courts
90 North Street, Suite 240
Canton, GA 30114
Phone: (678) 493-6511
Official Website
Contents of a Cherokee County Arrest Record
Cherokee County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Georgia law and departmental policies. These records typically include the following elements:
- Biographical information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors of the arrested individual
- Arrest details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Offense information: Specific charges filed, including Georgia Code citations and offense descriptions
- Case processing: Booking number, fingerprint identification, and processing details
- Court information: Initial appearance date, assigned court, case number, and bail/bond amount if applicable
- Photographic evidence: Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process
- Detention status: Current custody status, housing location if incarcerated, or release information
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, law enforcement agencies must submit arrest fingerprints and identifying information to the Georgia Crime Information Center within 24 hours of arrest. This information becomes part of the state's criminal history database and is linked to the individual's arrest record.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Cherokee County
Under Georgia law, certain arrest records may be eligible for restriction (formerly called expungement) through a process established by O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office administers this process for local arrests, while the Cherokee County Solicitor General's Office handles record restriction for misdemeanor cases.
Eligibility criteria for record restriction include:
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges
- Cases where charges were dismissed or nolle prossed
- Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdicts)
- First offender or conditional discharge cases successfully completed
- Certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period (for offenses committed by individuals under 21 years of age)
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards eligible requests to the Georgia Crime Information Center. If approved, the record becomes restricted from public disclosure, though it remains available to law enforcement agencies and for certain employment background checks as specified by state law.
Cherokee County Solicitor General's Office
90 North Street, Suite 390
Canton, GA 30114
Phone: (678) 493-6500
Official Website
Individuals seeking record restriction may need to petition the court directly for certain cases. The process typically requires filing a petition with the Cherokee County Superior Court and may necessitate a hearing before a judge. Legal representation is advisable but not required for this process.
Search Arrest Records in Cherokee County
