>Paulding County Arrest Records Online

Paulding County, Georgia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Paulding County, Georgia?

Arrest records are public documents in Paulding County, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that all public records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Georgia during regular office hours, unless specifically exempted by law. The Georgia Open Records Act promotes transparency in government operations and ensures accountability within the criminal justice system.

Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by various Paulding County agencies, including the Sheriff's Office, which serves as the primary custodian of such records. These documents provide factual information regarding arrests made within the county's jurisdiction and form part of the official public record. It should be noted that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as provided by state law.

The Paulding County Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive arrest records as part of its statutory duties under Georgia law. These records document law enforcement activities and serve as an important resource for public information regarding criminal incidents within the county.

Paulding County Sheriff's Office
247 Industrial Way North
Dallas, GA 30132
Phone: 770-443-3010
Official Website

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Paulding County?

Paulding County provides digital access to arrest records through several official online platforms. The county maintains an inmate inquiry system that allows members of the public to search for current and recently released inmates. This system is operated pursuant to Georgia law and county ordinances governing public access to criminal justice information.

The online inmate search portal, accessible through the Paulding County Sheriff's Office website, provides basic information about individuals who have been arrested and booked into the Paulding County Detention Center. Users may search by name, booking number, or other identifiers to locate arrest information. The system is updated regularly to reflect current inmate status.

In addition to the county's official resources, the Paulding County Records Division maintains electronic records that may be accessed by authorized personnel and, in some cases, by members of the public through formal records requests. The division processes requests in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act and applicable county policies.

For more comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may need to submit formal requests to the appropriate agencies or utilize the resources provided by the Paulding County Clerk of Superior Court, which maintains court records related to criminal cases.

Paulding County Records Division
180 Constitution Boulevard
Dallas, GA 30132
Phone: 770-443-3010
Official Website

How to Look Up Paulding County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking arrest records in Paulding County have multiple methods available for accessing this information. The county has established procedures in compliance with Georgia's Open Records Act to facilitate public access to these documents.

To obtain arrest records in person, requestors may visit the Paulding County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Staff will assist with locating the requested information upon completion of a records request form. Proper identification is required, and applicable fees may be assessed for document reproduction in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71.

For electronic access, the Paulding County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate inquiry system that provides information about current and recently released inmates. This resource is available 24 hours a day and offers a convenient method for preliminary arrest record searches.

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted by mail to the Records Division. Such requests must include:

Full name of the subject
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest
Case number (if available)
Requestor's contact information
Notarized authorization (if requesting records for another individual)

The Paulding County Clerk of Superior Court also maintains records related to criminal cases that proceed to prosecution. These records may be accessed through the clerk's office or via the county's online case search portal.

Paulding County Jail Division
Watson Government Complex
240 Constitution Boulevard
Dallas, GA 30132
Phone: 770-443-3030
Official Website

Contents of a Paulding County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Paulding County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Georgia law and departmental policies. These documents serve as official records of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:

The arrestee's biographical information is documented, including full legal name, any known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and residential address. This information is collected during the booking process and verified against government-issued identification when available.

Arrest details are comprehensively recorded, including the date, time, and location of the arrest, the arresting agency and officer(s), and the legal authority under which the arrest was made. The specific criminal charges are documented with reference to the applicable Georgia Code sections or local ordinances allegedly violated.

The arrest record also contains processing information such as the arrestee's booking number, fingerprint classification, and photograph (mugshot). These elements are essential for proper identification and are maintained in accordance with state and federal criminal justice information systems requirements.

Additional information may include:

Property inventory of items in the arrestee's possession at the time of booking
Medical screening information relevant to detention
Bond or bail determination
Court appearance dates
Detention facility assignment
Prior criminal history references

It should be noted that pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain information within arrest records may be restricted from public disclosure, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Paulding County

Under Georgia law, individuals may petition for the restriction and sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. This process, formerly known as expungement, is now referred to as record restriction in Georgia and is governed by O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37.

Record restriction may be available in cases where:

The charges against the individual were dismissed
The individual was found not guilty by a court or jury
The case was placed on dead docket for more than 12 months
The individual successfully completed a pre-trial diversion or first offender program
The arrest occurred before July 1, 2013, and meets certain other criteria

The record restriction process in Paulding County requires the submission of an application to the arresting agency, typically the Paulding County Sheriff's Office. If the arrest occurred within a municipality, the application should be directed to the respective police department. The application must include proper identification and documentation supporting the request for restriction.

Upon receipt of a complete application, the law enforcement agency will review the request and, if appropriate, forward it to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) for processing. The GCIC will then restrict access to the record in the state's criminal history database. It should be noted that this process does not physically destroy records but rather limits their accessibility to the general public.

Individuals seeking record restriction may wish to consult with the Paulding County Magistrate Court or legal counsel for guidance on the application process and eligibility requirements.

Paulding County Magistrate Court
280 Constitution Boulevard, First Floor - Room 1109
Dallas, GA 30132
Phone: 770-443-7541
Official Website

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Paulding County

The management and accessibility of arrest records in Paulding County operate within a comprehensive legal framework established by Georgia state law and local ordinances. This framework balances the public's right to information with individual privacy considerations and the integrity of the criminal justice system.

The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.) serves as the primary legal authority governing public access to arrest records. This legislation establishes the presumption that public records, including those related to arrests, shall be open for inspection by any citizen during normal business hours. Government agencies may only withhold records when specifically exempted by statute.

The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) Act (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-30 et seq.) establishes protocols for the collection, storage, and dissemination of criminal history record information throughout the state. The GCIC maintains the central repository for criminal records in Georgia and provides guidelines for local agencies, including those in Paulding County, regarding record management practices.

Federal regulations, including those promulgated under the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division of the FBI, also impact how Paulding County handles arrest records. These regulations establish standards for the security and privacy of criminal justice information and require compliance by all participating agencies.

The Paulding County State Court and Superior Court maintain jurisdiction over criminal cases and their associated records. Court rules and administrative orders may affect the accessibility of certain arrest-related documents, particularly those pertaining to ongoing prosecutions.

Paulding County State Court Clerk's Office
280 Constitution Boulevard, Room 2003
Dallas, GA 30132
Phone: 770-443-7581
Official Website

Search Arrest Records in Paulding County

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