Whitfield County Criminal Records
What Is Whitfield County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Whitfield County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Georgia Code § 35-3-33, which establishes the framework for criminal history record information in the state.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office or local police departments. These records exist whether or not charges are ultimately filed.
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas, representing the most accessible and permanent type of criminal record.
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, typically maintained by the Whitfield County Superior Court.
- Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses punishable by fines or jail sentences of less than one year, often handled by the Whitfield County Magistrate Court.
- Juvenile Records: Documentation of offenses committed by individuals under 18 years of age. These records are generally sealed and not accessible to the public under Georgia Code § 15-11-703.
- Warrant Information: Active warrants for arrest as well as historical warrant records.
The comprehensive nature of criminal records includes documentation of:
- Initial charges and booking information
- Arraignment proceedings
- Plea agreements or trial outcomes
- Sentencing details
- Probation or parole information
- Incarceration records
Multiple agencies maintain different components of criminal records in Whitfield County:
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office
805 Professional Boulevard
Dalton, GA 30720
706-278-1233
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office
Whitfield County Clerk of Superior Court
205 N. Selvidge Street
Dalton, GA 30720
706-278-5985
Whitfield County Clerk of Superior Court
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
404-244-2600
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Are Criminal Records Public In Whitfield County
Criminal records in Whitfield County are generally considered public information in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70, which states that "all public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying by any citizen of this state at a reasonable time and place." This statute establishes the presumption of openness for government records, including most criminal records.
The Georgia Open Records Act specifically provides that:
"Public records" means all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer based or generated information, data, data fields, or similar material prepared and maintained or received by an agency or by a private person or entity in the performance of a service or function for or on behalf of an agency or when such documents have been transferred to a private person or entity by an agency for storage or future governmental use.
However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. Certain categories of records are restricted by state law:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to pending investigations by law enforcement agencies are exempt from disclosure until the investigation is concluded.
- Sealed Records: Court records that have been officially sealed by judicial order are not available to the public.
- Juvenile Records: As established in Georgia Code § 15-11-703, records involving minors are generally confidential and not subject to public disclosure except in specific circumstances.
- First Offender Act Records: Individuals who successfully complete sentences under Georgia's First Offender Act may have their records protected from public disclosure.
- Expunged or Restricted Records: Records that have been legally expunged or restricted under Georgia law are not available to the public.
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and sentencing information are typically accessible to the public through the Whitfield County court system. These records can be accessed by visiting the appropriate courthouse or through online portals maintained by county and state agencies.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Whitfield County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Whitfield County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county currently maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches:
- Visit the Whitfield County Courthouse in person:
Whitfield County Clerk of Superior Court
205 N. Selvidge Street
Dalton, GA 30720
706-278-5985
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Whitfield County Clerk of Superior Court
When visiting in person, requestors should:
- Bring valid government-issued photo identification
- Complete a records request form available at the clerk's office
- Provide specific information about the case or individual (full name, date of birth, approximate case date)
- Be prepared to pay applicable fees for copies of records
- Submit a written request by mail:
Written requests should include:
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Specific information about the records being sought
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for response
- Payment for applicable fees (call ahead to confirm amount)
- Request records from the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office:
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office
805 Professional Boulevard
Dalton, GA 30720
706-278-1233
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records. Requestors should:
- Complete the Sheriff's Office records request form
- Provide specific information about the individual
- Present valid identification
- Pay applicable fees for copies
- Submit a request to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation:
For statewide criminal history information, individuals may submit requests to:
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Georgia Crime Information Center
P.O. Box 370808
Decatur, GA 30037-0808
404-244-2639
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Requests to the GBI require:
- Completion of the appropriate request form
- Fingerprints of the subject (for complete criminal history)
- Payment of required fees
- Notarized consent of the subject (if not a personal request)
How To Find Criminal Records in Whitfield County Online?
Whitfield County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests:
- Whitfield County Courts Online Records Search
The Whitfield County Courts website offers an online records search system that provides access to court cases filed in the county. This system includes:
- Criminal case information
- Case status and scheduled hearings
- Party information
- Case disposition
- Judgment information
Users can search by:
- Defendant name
- Case number
- Filing date range
- Case type
The system currently provides records from 2018 to present. No registration is required for basic searches, though some detailed information may require creation of an account.
- Georgia Courts E-Access Portal
The Georgia Courts E-Access system provides a centralized platform for accessing court records throughout the state, including Whitfield County. This system:
- Requires user registration
- Allows searches across multiple counties
- Provides case information, party details, and document listings
- May charge fees for document downloads
- Whitfield County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search
The Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search function that provides:
- Current jail population information
- Booking photos
- Charges
- Bond information
- Scheduled release dates (when available)
- Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Search
For information on individuals sentenced to state prison or under state supervision, the Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Query provides:
- Incarceration status
- Location of confinement
- Conviction information
- Sentence details
- Tentative release dates
- Supervision status
- Georgia Sex Offender Registry
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the state sex offender registry, which includes registered offenders residing in Whitfield County. This database provides:
- Offender photographs
- Residential addresses
- Conviction information
- Risk level assessment
Users should note that while online systems provide significant convenience, they may not contain complete records. Some documents, particularly older records or those with restricted access, may only be available through in-person requests at the courthouse.
Can You Search Whitfield County Criminal Records for Free?
Whitfield County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records at no cost, in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-71, which states that "agencies shall produce for inspection all records responsive to a request within a reasonable amount of time not to exceed three business days of receipt of a request."
Free access options include:
- In-Person Inspection at Public Terminals
The following locations provide free public access terminals for viewing criminal records:
Whitfield County Clerk of Superior Court
205 N. Selvidge Street
Dalton, GA 30720
706-278-5985
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Whitfield County Law Library
205 N. Selvidge Street, 2nd Floor
Dalton, GA 30720
706-278-5985
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
While inspection is free, printing or copying documents typically incurs fees (currently $0.10-$0.25 per page).
- Free Online Resources
Several online portals provide free access to basic criminal record information:
- Whitfield County Courts Online Records Search - Provides free access to basic case information, though document downloads may incur fees
- Whitfield County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search - Offers free access to current jail population information
- Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Query - Provides free access to information on state inmates and probationers
- Free Records Request Submission
Submitting a records request under the Georgia Open Records Act does not require payment of a fee. However, agencies may charge for:
- Copying costs (typically $0.10-$0.25 per page)
- Administrative time for requests requiring more than 15 minutes of staff time (after the first 15 minutes, which are free)
- Media costs for electronic records (USB drives, CDs, etc.)
The law specifically states that agencies "may charge a fee for the search, retrieval, or redaction of records," but these fees must represent "the lowest reasonable cost for search, retrieval, or redaction."
Individuals seeking extensive records or certified copies should anticipate paying fees for these services.
What's Included in a Whitfield County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Whitfield County agencies typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records is standardized in accordance with Georgia Code § 35-3-34, which governs the dissemination of criminal history record information.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot/booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail/bond amount and status
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number
- Court of jurisdiction (Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court)
- Filing date
- Formal charges filed by prosecutor
- Statute citations and offense classifications (felony/misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Attorney information (public defender or private counsel)
- Judge assigned to the case
- Court appearance dates
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and conditions
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Probation/parole violations
The comprehensiveness of records may vary depending on the agency maintaining them and the age of the records. More recent records tend to contain more detailed information due to improved record-keeping systems implemented in recent years.
How Long Does Whitfield County Keep Criminal Records?
Whitfield County maintains criminal records in accordance with the Georgia Records Act § 50-18-90 and retention schedules established by the Georgia Archives. These schedules dictate minimum retention periods for various types of criminal records.
The retention periods for key criminal record documents are as follows:
- Felony Case Files: Permanent retention for murder cases; 25 years after case closure for other felonies
- Misdemeanor Case Files: 10 years after case closure
- Traffic Case Files: 7 years after case closure
- Arrest Records: 75 years from date of arrest
- Booking Records: 75 years from date of booking
- Jail Records: 7 years after release from custody
- Warrant Records: 7 years after execution or expiration
- Probation Records: 10 years after completion of probation
- Parole Records: 10 years after completion of parole
- Sex Offender Registry Information: Permanent retention
The Whitfield County Clerk of Superior Court serves as the official custodian of court records and maintains them according to these state-mandated retention schedules. The clerk's office has implemented digital preservation systems for newer records, while older records may exist in paper format or on microfilm.
It's important to note that even after the minimum retention period has expired, many criminal records—particularly those related to serious offenses—are retained permanently as a matter of practice. Additionally, even when physical records are destroyed according to retention schedules, summary information may be maintained in electronic databases indefinitely.
Records that have been expunged or sealed by court order are removed from public access but may still be maintained by law enforcement agencies for internal use in accordance with Georgia Code § 35-3-37.
Lookup Criminal Records in Whitfield County
Whitfield County Clerk of Superior Court
E-Access to Court Records – Georgia Courts