Dade County, Georgia Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Dade County, Georgia?
Arrest records are public documents in Dade County, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This state legislation establishes that records maintained by government agencies, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement entities within the county, shall be accessible to members of the public. The Georgia Open Records Act operates under the principle that government records should remain open for public inspection to ensure transparency in governmental operations. The statute specifically designates law enforcement records, including arrest reports, as public documents subject to disclosure with certain statutory exemptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and other protected information as specified in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
The Dade County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to document law enforcement activities. Public access to these records serves multiple governmental functions, including:
- Ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies
- Providing transparency in the criminal justice system
- Facilitating public awareness of criminal activity within the jurisdiction
- Supporting legitimate research and statistical analysis of crime patterns
Individuals seeking arrest records may submit an open records request to the appropriate county agency in accordance with established procedures.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Dade County?
Dade County arrest records are available through various online platforms, though the comprehensiveness of digital access varies according to implementation schedules and system capabilities. The county has established digital repositories in compliance with Georgia's commitment to government transparency and public information accessibility. Online availability of these records is subject to the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, which governs electronic access to public records.
The digital platforms maintained by Dade County provide search capabilities that may include:
- Current inmate population records
- Recent arrest logs
- Court docket information related to criminal proceedings
- Warrant status information
The Dade County Clerk of Superior Court maintains certain judicial records that may contain arrest information. Digital access to these records may require registration or payment of statutory fees as permitted under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which authorizes reasonable charges for search, retrieval, and reproduction of public records.
Users of online systems should note that certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Georgia law, particularly for cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or other protected categories as specified in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
How to Look Up Dade County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Dade County arrest records in 2025 may utilize multiple authorized channels to obtain this information. Pursuant to Georgia's Open Records Act, the following official methods are available:
- County Sheriff's Office Records Division: Individuals may submit formal requests to the Dade County Sheriff's Office Records Division for arrest documentation. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through designated electronic systems.
Dade County Sheriff's Office
12217 N Main Street
Trenton, GA 30752
Phone: (706) 657-3233
Official Website
- Clerk of Superior Court: The Clerk maintains court records related to criminal proceedings, which often contain arrest information.
Dade County Clerk of Superior Court
71 Case Avenue, Room 101
Trenton, GA 30752
Phone: (706) 657-4778
Official Website
Online Records Portal: The county's digital records system provides remote access to certain arrest records, subject to user registration requirements and applicable fees.
Magistrate Court: As the judicial entity responsible for issuing arrest warrants, the Magistrate Court maintains records pertaining to warrant issuance and execution.
Dade County Magistrate Court
71 Case Avenue, Suite 159
Trenton, GA 30752
Phone: (706) 657-4160
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific identifying information to facilitate record retrieval, including the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Fees for record retrieval and reproduction are assessed in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which permits reasonable charges for search, retrieval, and copying services.
Contents of a Dade County Arrest Record
Dade County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Georgia Bureau of Investigation protocols and state recordkeeping requirements. These official documents typically include the following elements:
Subject identification data:
- Full legal name and any documented aliases
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, and identifying marks
- Residential address at time of arrest
- State identification number and FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest circumstance documentation:
- Date, time, and geographic location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory authority for arrest (warrant, probable cause, etc.)
- Booking number and processing information
Offense information:
- Criminal charges with Georgia Code citations
- Classification of offenses (felony/misdemeanor)
- Incident report reference numbers
- Victim information (with appropriate redactions)
Case processing data:
- Bail or bond determination
- Court appearance schedules
- Case disposition information when available
Biometric records:
- Fingerprint classification data
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Other identification metrics as collected
The Dade County Inmate Resources page provides additional information regarding current inmates and jail procedures. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain portions of arrest records may be restricted from public disclosure when they contain sensitive information related to ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or other protected categories.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Dade County
The State of Georgia provides statutory mechanisms for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through a process formerly known as expungement and now officially designated as record restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. In Dade County, individuals may petition for record restriction when their circumstances meet the criteria established by state law.
Eligibility for record restriction in Dade County is determined by specific statutory conditions:
Cases resulting in non-conviction dispositions, including:
- Dismissal of charges
- Nolle prosequi determinations
- Dead docketed cases older than 12 months
- Acquittals and not guilty verdicts
First offender dispositions under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60 after successful completion of sentence
Conditional discharge completions under O.C.G.A. § 16-13-2
Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j)(4)
The record restriction process requires submission of a formal petition to the Dade County Probate Court or Superior Court, depending on the nature of the case. Petitioners must provide certified documentation of case disposition and may be required to attend a hearing where the court will evaluate the petition against statutory criteria.
Dade County Probate Court
71 Case Avenue, Suite 137
Trenton, GA 30752
Phone: (706) 657-4488
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Upon judicial approval of record restriction, the Dade County law enforcement agencies and courts are directed to seal the specified records from public view, though they remain accessible to criminal justice agencies for official purposes as permitted under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(3). The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will restrict access to the corresponding state criminal history record upon receipt of the court order.
Individuals with restricted records may legally state they have not been arrested for the restricted offense in most circumstances, with exceptions for certain employment categories as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(d)(5).
Search Arrest Records in Dade County
