Georgia Criminal Records

Georgia criminal records recount a person's criminal involvements and interactions with the justice system. They include details of arrests, booking process, indictment, criminal court proceedings, and court verdicts pertaining to the subject of the record.

In addition to offering a comprehensive overview of a person's prior crimes, criminal records, and crime information are a means of research for policymakers and Georgia law enforcement agencies.

Governmental and private organizations will often conduct a criminal record search on an individual when hiring decisions are made. Likewise, certain licensure and privileges, like firearms, housing leases, loans, and admission, require a thorough criminal record check on applicants. Law enforcement agencies rely on individuals' criminal records to properly track and analyze crime frequency, trends, and patterns within the state and locality.

When conducting a criminal record search, one may file a report for inaccurate and incomplete record information. Per O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, the Georgia Crime Information Center is authorized to maintain and disseminate criminal history records to public entities, including licensing and regulatory agencies.

The Bureau of Investigation is the state's central repository for all criminal history records information.

Are Criminal Records Public in Georgia?

Yes, O.C.G.A. Stat. § 35-3-34 allows private entities and businesses to view, inspect, and reproduce copies of most criminal records maintained by the Georgia Crime Information Center. However, some criminal records are exempt from public disclosure.

O.C.G.A. Stat. §35-3-37 makes provisions for the restriction of specific criminal history records for non-criminal justice reasons. The G.C.I.C., per this statute, shall exempt records of arrests, charges, or sentences for one who has been sentenced but acquitted and discharged without court adjudication. This includes access to juvenile criminal history record information, investigative materials, sensitive personnel information, and expunged/sealed records.

Further, the O.C.G.A. Stat. § 35-3-35 also describes the boundary of access to public agencies and political subdivisions. Unauthorized disclosures and requests of criminal history record information are contained in § 35-3-38.

The Georgia Open Records Act, per O.C.G.A. 50-18-70, also regulates access to other criminal records authorized by statute.

Georgia Crime Records by County

The Georgia Uniform Crime Reporting (U.C.R.) publishes records of crimes, arrests, and convictions collected and reported by law enforcement agencies. Crime records are generally generated in both county and city jurisdictions.

County police departments are often the first point of call and interaction for anyone reported or apprehended for a criminal offense within the jurisdiction. The arresting agency logs reports of their booking process, incidents, crime rates, charges, and bio data into the U.C.R. database for statewide access.

More than 600 state and county law enforcement agencies log monthly crime and arrest reports to the Georgia Crime Information Center. This informs the database for periodic and special reports, including criminal offense analysis.

The Crime Statistics database contains annual updated crime statistics reports on several crimes: murder, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, forcible rape, negligent manslaughter, auto theft, and arson. This includes Family Violence (F.V.) and Uniform Crime Reports (U.C.R.) Crime Statistics. Both statistics cover annual and monthly data from 159 counties.

Georgia crime records by county are arranged by the aggressor's age, race, sex, weapon, relationship of the aggressor to the victim, and police action taken.

Georgia Criminal Record Check

Inquirers may conduct a Georgia criminal record check using any one the following options:

Georgia Crime Information Center

As the central repository for all criminal records history information, the G.C.I.C. is authorized to disseminate copies of these records to individuals and public agencies. The G.C.I.C. only allows fingerprint-based checks for criminal records. This means the record holder must visit the G.C.I.C. office to complete this.

Likewise, private entities and public agencies who wish to obtain criminal history record information of another person must provide signed consent from the subject of the record. Consent forms should also include the subject's full name, address, social security number, and date of birth. The center does not conduct name-based criminal record checks.

Georgia's Computerized Criminal History (C.C.H.) chronicles the criminal history records of roughly four million offenders with features that provide mugshots, charge tracking, dispositions, and automatic subscription notifications.

Inquirers may visit the G.C.I.C. Lobby Office for record inspections and fingerprint services on appointments only.

Mail complete criminal history record updates to:

Georgia Crime Information Center

C.C.H./Identification

P.O. Box 370808

Decatur, Georgia 30037

Criminal record checks on the G.C.I.C. may attract a nominal fee.

Per O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, an attorney of the court may request criminal record checks on behalf of their client. Such attorney requests shall bear the following:

• The full name and identifying information of the person whose records are requested (date of birth, race, sex, and social security number)
• Details of the case
• The case number

Email the request to the G.C.I.C. address with the subject "attorney requests". A nominal attorney fee is payable to G.C.I.C. by business check or money order for each request for criminal history information. Fees may be waived if the court determines the defendant as indigent.

Georgia Felon Search

O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34 authorizes public disclosure of felony conviction records without the permission of the person whose record is being checked. Inquirers must provide the record holder's full name, sex, date of birth, and sex at the time of request for a full felony record check.

This felon conviction search allows inquirers to comb through the Georgia Crime Information Center to confirm whether an individual has been previously sentenced for felony offenses in the state. A nominal fee payable by credit card applies for each search. The search does not disclose sealed/expunged information, juvenile felony history information, or misdemeanor records.

Georgia Sex Offender Registry

As the central repository of all sexual offender registry data per O.C.G.A. § 42-1-12, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) manages access to sex offender history information submitted by the Department of Corrections and State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Sheriffs update all sexual offender information on the registry every 2 business days with all record changes.

Background Checks

Anyone requiring a Georgia background check for licensing, employment, and non-criminal justice reasons must request via the online Georgia Applicant Processing Service (GAPS). GAPS fingerprinting venues are located around the state, and applicants must visit with an I.D. card. Background check results and criminal history records are generally available within 24 to 48 hours after the fingerprint is completed and the transaction is submitted to the G.C.I.C. for processing.

Police departments and sheriffs also maintain and provide access to criminal records in the state. So, anyone who requires these records should visit their physical location for requirements on how to perform a criminal record check.

Find Criminal Records Online in Georgia

Inquirers may find criminal records online in Georgia through the following:

Georgia Felon Search: Inquiers may perform a felon search by providing the full name, sex, race, and social security number of the person whose felony record is being requested. The record requester must also provide a reason for performing the search. Users are required to pay $15 for each rap sheet viewed.

Sex Offenders Registry: This database provides a free, complete record of all sexual offenders, including the mugshots of absconders.

Third-party resources: Inquirers may find criminal records online through third-party aggregator websites. Most of these websites are owned by private individuals. As such, one must pay a nominal fee for full access.

Free Criminal Record Search in Georgia

Most criminal record searches in Georgia attract a nominal transaction fee, especially if the inquirer intends to use the copies for legal and official purposes. However, inquirers may conduct a free criminal search through third-party sites or visit the local police departments to view the records in person.

What Does it Mean if You Have a Criminal Record in Georgia?

Persons with a criminal record in Georgia is underprivileged despite being a free member of society. This means that they may not secure jobs, housing, visas, child custody, and admissions. Prior criminal history information may attract increased court sentences if the person is charged with another offense in the future.

Does Your Criminal Record Clear After 7 Years in Georgia?

No, a person's criminal record does not clear after 7 years in unless they qualify for expungement or restriction per O.C.G.A. Stat. § 35-3-37. For instance, O.C.G.A. § 42-1-19 describes that a sexual offender's information remains on the registry for life unless expunged by a court order.

However, anyone who obtains a record restriction may apply for jobs, housing leases, or licenses without traces of their prior records. Georgia criminal records are never permanently deleted or destroyed. In this case, judicial officials and criminal justice agencies still have access to them. An arrest record may be restricted if the case was closed without a conviction or simply a specific misdemeanor.

Arrest Record Vs Criminal Record

Anyone who violates the criminal justice system and is successfully apprehended instantly has an arrest record, regardless of the case's final disposition. On the other hand, criminal records detail a person's history of involvement with criminal justice agencies, from arrest to conviction, court proceedings, and sentences. These records serve as reference material for future justice system decisions.

Georgia Police Records

Georgia police records are comprehensive information on the day-to-day affairs of the state and local police agencies. This includes crime data, arrest reports, traffic crash reports, photographs, witness reports, and offender information.