>Cobb County Arrest Records Online

Cobb County, Georgia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cobb County, Georgia?

Arrest records in Cobb County, Georgia are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to Georgia's Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that official records created, maintained, or received by a public agency are available for inspection by any member of the public. The Georgia Open Records Act specifically includes law enforcement records, such as arrest reports, booking photographs, and incident reports, within its scope of public documents.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal purposes:

Ensures transparency in law enforcement operations
Facilitates public oversight of governmental functions
Provides necessary information for background checks
Supports journalistic reporting on matters of public interest
Enables researchers to analyze crime patterns and trends

Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, including records pertaining to pending investigations, juvenile records, and records containing sensitive personal information. However, the majority of adult arrest records remain accessible to the public in accordance with state law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Cobb County?

Arrest records in Cobb County are available through various online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Cobb County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that allows members of the public to search for current and recent arrest information. This online accessibility is provided in accordance with Georgia's commitment to governmental transparency as codified in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70.

The Cobb County Superior Court Clerk's office maintains an electronic records system that includes arrest-related court documents. This system enables remote access to public records without requiring physical presence at county facilities. Additionally, the Cobb County Magistrate Court provides online access to initial appearance and bond information for recently arrested individuals.

Online access to these records is subject to the following provisions:

Records are typically updated within 24-48 hours of processing
Some sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws
Certain specialized records may require in-person requests
Electronic access may require creation of a user account for tracking purposes
Nominal fees may apply for certain document retrievals or certified copies

How to Look Up Cobb County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Cobb County have multiple methods available for conducting searches. Each method provides different levels of detail and accessibility depending on the specific information required.

The Cobb County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search portal allows citizens to search for current and recently released inmates. This resource provides basic arrest information, charges, and custody status. For more comprehensive arrest records, individuals may utilize the following official channels:

Cobb County Sheriff's Office
185 Roswell Street
Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: (770) 499-4600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

Cobb County Superior Court Clerk
70 Haynes Street
Marietta, GA 30090
Phone: (770) 528-1300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

Cobb County Police Department Records Division
140 North Marietta Parkway
Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: (770) 499-3900
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

For comprehensive searches, individuals may need to check multiple databases as arrests made by different agencies (county police, sheriff's office, or municipal police departments) may be stored in separate systems. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, requestors may be required to provide identification when requesting criminal history information.

Contents of a Cobb County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Cobb County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Georgia Bureau of Investigation protocols and state law. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in custodial arrest.

Standard arrest records in Cobb County typically contain the following elements:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest with corresponding Georgia code sections
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for the arrest
Booking photographs ("mugshots") taken during processing
Fingerprint information and unique identifiers
Case or incident number for administrative tracking
Initial court appearance information
Bond or bail determination
Detention facility information if the subject was incarcerated

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, arrest records must be maintained with accuracy and completeness. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their arrest records may petition for corrections through established administrative procedures.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cobb County

Under Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain arrest records may be eligible for restriction and sealing, a process commonly referred to as expungement. This procedure limits public access to arrest information under specific circumstances defined by statute.

Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Cobb County include:

Cases resulting in non-conviction (dismissal, nolle prosequi, acquittal)
First offender or conditional discharge dispositions after successful completion
Certain misdemeanor convictions for offenders under 21 years of age
Pardoned offenses (excluding serious violent felonies)
Cases where charges were never formally filed within the statute of limitations

The restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards eligible requests to the Georgia Crime Information Center. For court-ordered restrictions, petitioners must file with the Cobb County Superior Court:

Cobb County Superior Court
70 Haynes Street
Marietta, GA 30090
Phone: (770) 528-1100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that certain records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts even after restriction. Additionally, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j)(4), records of serious offenses including violent felonies, sexual offenses, and crimes against minors are generally ineligible for restriction.

Legal Implications of Arrest Records in Cobb County

Arrest records in Cobb County carry significant legal implications for affected individuals. These records, maintained pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, become part of the state's criminal history repository and may impact various aspects of a person's life.

Georgia law establishes important distinctions between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest alone does not constitute proof of guilt, as established in O.C.G.A. § 16-1-5, which affirms the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Nevertheless, arrest records may have the following legal implications:

Employment background checks may reveal arrest history, potentially affecting hiring decisions
Professional licensing boards may consider arrest records when evaluating applications
Housing applications often include criminal history questions that encompass arrests
Educational institutions may review arrest records during admissions processes
Immigration proceedings may consider arrest records when determining status

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) and Georgia law provide certain protections regarding the use of arrest records in employment contexts. Employers must obtain consent before conducting background checks and must follow specific procedures when taking adverse actions based on criminal history information.

Individuals with arrest records in Cobb County should be aware of their rights under both federal and state law regarding the disclosure and use of such information. Legal counsel may be advisable when addressing potential discrimination or improper use of arrest record information.

Search Arrest Records in Cobb County

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