>DeKalb County Arrest Records Online

DeKalb County, Georgia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in DeKalb County, Georgia?

Arrest records are public documents in DeKalb County, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies, shall be available for public inspection. The fundamental purpose of this transparency is to ensure accountability within the criminal justice system and to provide citizens with access to information necessary for public safety and informed governance. Members of the public may access these records through designated channels established by county authorities.

The DeKalb County Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records become public upon creation, though certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Georgia law. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, specific identifying information such as Social Security numbers and dates of birth may be withheld from public disclosure to protect individual privacy while maintaining the public nature of the arrest record itself.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in DeKalb County?

DeKalb County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county agencies. The DeKalb County Police Department provides digital access to certain arrest information through its official website. The Central Records Unit of the department serves as the primary repository for these electronic records.

Online accessibility is implemented in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which permits government agencies to provide electronic access to public records. The digital availability of these records facilitates efficient public access while reducing administrative burden on county personnel. Users should note that while basic arrest information may be available online, comprehensive records may require additional requests through official channels.

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office also maintains an inmate lookup system that provides information about individuals currently in custody or recently released. This system is updated regularly to ensure accuracy of the information provided to the public.

How to Look Up DeKalb County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking DeKalb County arrest records may utilize several authorized methods:

Online Database Access: The DeKalb County government website provides a portal for searching basic arrest information. Users may search by name, date of arrest, or case number.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests in person at the DeKalb County Police Department Central Records Unit.

DeKalb County Police Department - Central Records Unit
1960 West Exchange Place
Tucker, GA 30084
(678) 937-2852
Official Website
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Written Requests: Formal written requests may be submitted via mail to the Central Records Unit. Requests must include the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available.
Third-Party Services: Authorized third-party vendors contracted by DeKalb County may provide access to certain arrest record information. Users should verify the legitimacy of such services before providing personal information.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c)(1), agencies may impose reasonable charges for search, retrieval, and other administrative costs associated with complying with public records requests. Current fee schedules are available at the Central Records Unit or on the county website.

Contents of a DeKalb County Arrest Record

DeKalb County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Georgia law and departmental policy. These records typically include:

Full legal name and known aliases of the arrested individual
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint classification
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
Case number and incident report reference
Custody status and bond information, if applicable
Court appearance dates

In accordance with O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain sensitive information including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information is redacted from public versions of arrest records. Additionally, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-11-701, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements and may not be included in public arrest records.

The DeKalb County Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state-mandated retention schedules as established by the Georgia Secretary of State's Office under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-99.

Expungement of Arrest Records in DeKalb County

Under Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, individuals may petition for restriction and sealing of arrest records under certain qualifying circumstances. This process, formerly known as expungement, is now referred to as record restriction in Georgia. Eligible circumstances 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 dispositions after successful completion of sentence
Conditional discharge completions for certain offenses

The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which in DeKalb County is typically the DeKalb County Police Department or Sheriff's Office. Applications must be accompanied by proper identification and supporting documentation regarding case disposition.

DeKalb County Solicitor-General's Office
556 N. McDonough Street, Suite 700
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 371-2201
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(d)(1), a $25.00 application fee may be assessed for record restriction requests, though this fee may be waived upon demonstration of indigence. Processing times vary based on case complexity and departmental workload, typically ranging from 90-180 days.

Individuals seeking record restriction are advised that certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for restriction, including serious violent felonies as defined in O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1 and sexual offenses as defined in O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.2.

Search Arrest Records in DeKalb County

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