>Dawson County Arrest Records Online

Dawson County, Georgia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Dawson County, Georgia?

Arrest records in Dawson 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 official government records, including arrest documentation, shall be available for inspection by any member of the public. The Georgia Open Records Act serves as a fundamental component of governmental transparency, ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities. The statute specifically designates criminal records as public information, with limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and certain privacy protections as outlined in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37.

Individuals seeking arrest records in Dawson County may obtain this information through the Dawson County Sheriff's Office or the Clerk of Superior Court. These records typically become available following the booking process and formal charging of an individual. The public nature of these records supports community awareness, journalistic reporting, and background verification processes.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Dawson County?

Dawson County arrest records are available through several online platforms, providing digital access to public criminal documentation. The Dawson County Clerk of Court maintains electronic records that may be accessed through their official portal. Additionally, the Georgia Courts E-Access system provides a centralized platform for retrieving court records, including arrest information, across jurisdictions within the state.

Online accessibility of arrest records is governed by the same legal framework that applies to physical records, namely the Georgia Open Records Act. However, certain information may be redacted from online versions to protect sensitive personal data such as Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other identifiers as specified in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(20).

Users of online systems should note that while basic arrest information is typically available immediately, complete case documentation may experience delays in digital processing. Records available online may include:

Arrest date and location
Charges filed
Case status and court dates
Disposition information when available
Booking photographs

How to Look Up Dawson County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Dawson County arrest records have multiple official channels through which this information may be obtained:

Visit the Dawson County Sheriff's Office in person: Dawson County Sheriff's Office 19 Tucker Avenue Dawsonville, GA 30534 Phone: (706) 344-3535 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Official Website
Contact the Dawson County Clerk of Superior Court: Dawson County Clerk of Superior Court 25 Justice Way, Suite 1301 Dawsonville, GA 30534 Phone: (706) 344-3510 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Official Website
Access the Georgia Courts E-Access portal for electronic record retrieval.
Submit a formal Open Records Request through the Dawson County government website or in writing to the appropriate agency.

When requesting arrest records, individuals must provide sufficient identifying information about the subject, including full legal name, approximate date of arrest, and if possible, date of birth. 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 available at each agency's office or website.

Contents of a Dawson County Arrest Record

Dawson County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Georgia law and maintained by the Dawson County Superior Court and law enforcement agencies. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or alternative identities
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of arrest
Enumeration of all charges filed, including Georgia Code citations
Name of arresting agency and officer
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint classification
Case number and court assignment
Bond information, if applicable
Court appearance dates
Case disposition when available

The comprehensiveness of arrest records serves multiple governmental functions, including criminal justice administration, statistical analysis of crime patterns, and public safety notifications. These records are maintained in accordance with Georgia Records Retention Schedules as established by the Georgia Archives and Records Management Division.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Dawson County

Under Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain individuals may qualify for restriction and sealing of arrest records in Dawson County. This process, formerly known as expungement, allows for the limitation of public access to arrest information under specific circumstances. Eligibility criteria for record restriction include:

Cases resulting in non-conviction (dismissal, nolle prosequi, acquittal)
First offender or conditional discharge completions under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60
Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders (under 21 at time of offense)
Pardoned offenses (excluding serious violent felonies and sex offenses)

The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, followed by review by the Dawson County District Attorney's Office. If approved, the Georgia Crime Information Center will restrict the record from public disclosure, though it remains available to law enforcement agencies and for certain employment screening purposes as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j).

Individuals seeking record restriction must file a petition with:

Dawson County Superior Court 25 Justice Way Dawsonville, GA 30534 Phone: (706) 344-3300 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Official Website

The petition must include certified copies of relevant court dispositions, identification verification, and payment of applicable filing fees. Processing times typically range from 90-180 days from submission to final determination.

Legal Uses of Dawson County Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by Dawson County government agencies serve multiple legitimate purposes within the framework of Georgia law. Authorized uses include:

Pre-employment background screening for positions involving security, financial responsibility, or vulnerable populations
Tenant screening by property management companies and landlords
Professional licensing verification by regulatory boards
Immigration proceedings and visa application reviews
Child custody and adoption proceedings
Personal safety research by private citizens

While arrest records are public documents, their use is subject to certain legal restrictions. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) governs the use of criminal history information for employment purposes, requiring disclosure to the subject and prohibiting consideration of arrests not resulting in conviction in most circumstances. Additionally, Georgia law prohibits discrimination based solely on arrest records without subsequent conviction under O.C.G.A. § 34-1-4.

Government agencies, employers, and private citizens accessing arrest records must ensure compliance with applicable federal and state regulations regarding proper use of criminal history information. Misuse of arrest record information may result in civil liability under various privacy protection statutes.