Georgia ArrestRecords.org
Search Public Records
Georgia Arrest Records Online >Whitfield County Arrest Records Online >Dalton Arrest Records

Dalton Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Dalton, Georgia?

Arrest records are public documents in Dalton, 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 accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Georgia Open Records Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability within law enforcement agencies. Citizens and other interested parties may request and review these records for various purposes, including background checks, legal proceedings, or general information gathering. The custodian of such records must respond to requests within three business days as mandated by state law.

How to Look Up Dalton Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for members of the public to access arrest records in Dalton, Georgia. The Dalton Police Department Records Section serves as the primary custodian of these documents. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize any of the following procedures:

  • Visit the Dalton Police Department Records Section in person during regular business hours to submit a records request.

  • Submit a written request via postal mail to the Records Section, including the full name of the subject, date of birth, and specific information sought.

  • Access the online portal maintained by the Dalton Police Department for digital record retrieval, where available.

  • Contact the Dalton Municipal Court for records related to cases processed through their system.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, a reasonable fee may be charged for search, retrieval, and copying of records. The fee structure is determined by the actual cost of providing the requested information.

Dalton Police Department
301 Jones Street
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 278-9085
Official Website

Dalton Municipal Court
300 West Waugh Street
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 278-1913
Official Website

Contents of a Dalton Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Dalton Police Department typically contain comprehensive information regarding the arrest event and the individual involved. Standard components of these records include:

  • Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
  • Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
  • Residential address at time of arrest
  • Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
  • Detailed description of the alleged offense(s) and corresponding Georgia Code section(s)
  • Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
  • Booking information including mugshot photographs and fingerprint data
  • Case number and incident report references
  • Custody status and bail/bond information
  • Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction, if applicable

The comprehensiveness of information may vary based on the nature of the arrest and the stage of the criminal justice process. Certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, which provides exemptions for specific categories of records or information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Dalton

The State of Georgia provides mechanisms for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through a process formerly known as expungement, now officially termed "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Individuals seeking to have arrest records restricted in Dalton must meet specific statutory criteria, which may 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 at the time of arrest
  • Arrests for which charges were never formally filed within the statute of limitations

The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which in Dalton would be the Dalton Police Department. Upon verification of eligibility, the application is forwarded to the Georgia Crime Information Center for processing. If approved, the arrest record becomes restricted from public disclosure, though it remains accessible to law enforcement agencies and for certain employment positions as specified by statute.

Individuals seeking record restriction should be aware that the process does not automatically remove information that may have been published in newspapers, private databases, or other non-governmental sources. Legal assistance is often recommended to navigate the complexities of the record restriction process.

Whitfield County Clerk of Superior Court
205 N. Selvidge Street
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 278-5890
Official Website

Search Arrest Records in Dalton

logo