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  1. Chatham County Court
  2. Chatham County Arrest Records

Chatham County, Georgia Arrest Records

Chatham County, GA, arrest records are official documents law enforcement generates when a person is detained and booked for a crime. These records document that an individual was taken into custody and processed, but do not indicate guilt. They include the Arrest and Booking Form, which records identifying information, fingerprints, photographs (mugshots), and the specific charges filed at the time of arrest.

Under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), state and local law enforcement agencies generally classify arrest records as public and allow any member of the public to inspect or copy them. The Act assumes the public has a right to know arrest details, promoting transparency and community oversight of law enforcement.

Georgia also maintains a statutory framework governing access to comprehensive criminal offender records, commonly referred to as criminal history. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 authorizes the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) to manage and control access to the state’s criminal history records, protecting privacy and ensuring law enforcement handles sensitive information properly.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Chatham County, Georgia?

Yes, Chatham County law enforcement agencies generally treat arrest records as public information. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.) establishes that citizens may inspect and copy public records. Additionally, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(4) requires agencies to release initial arrest and incident reports, promoting transparency and accountability.

However, agencies do not disclose all details. The Open Records Act and related statutes require law enforcement to withhold or redact certain sensitive information to protect privacy and safety. This information includes:

  • Sensitive personal data: Law enforcement withholds Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and home or phone information of officers and their families
  • Pending investigations: Agencies restrict access to records from active investigations or prosecutions to protect the case and ensure individual safety
  • Victim privacy: Law enforcement keeps the identities of victims of certain crimes, such as sexual assault or child abuse, confidential
  • Confidential informants: Information that could reveal a confidential source is strictly protected
  • Medical information: Arrest files do not disclose any medical or mental health records
  • Juvenile records: Arrest records involving minors remain confidential by statute and are not released to the public
  • Restricted and sealed records: Certain arrests restricted under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 are limited to criminal justice use and are not publicly disclosed.

Chatham County Arrest Search

Individuals can access arrest information in Chatham County through multiple state and federal sources, depending on when the arrest occurred and the level of detail required. At the state level, the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), operated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), provides access to older arrests and statewide criminal histories. The GCIC offers a public Felony Conviction Search for a fee of $15.00 per rap sheet viewed and allows individuals to request their own criminal history for a separate fee, while access to another person’s full record generally requires written consent..

At the court level, the Chatham County Unified Case Search allows users to look up court records by name or case number and view arrests that have entered the court system, including case status and outcomes. For arrests involving federal charges, PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) enables users to search U.S. District Court filings for criminal cases in Georgia’s Southern District. If an arrest results in a federal prison sentence, the public can also use the BOP Inmate Locator to identify the individual’s facility and release date.

Chatham County Inmate Locator

The Chatham County inmate locator displays booking details, including the arrest date, charges filed at the booking, booking number, bond amount, and arresting agency. The system displays individuals processed into the Chatham County Detention Center within the past three days and may not display records after release or transfer. The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office maintains a public Inmate Bookings Portal that allows users to view 24-hour and 72-hour arrest logs by first and last name.

For direct arrest verification, call the Chatham County Jail Booking (Receiving & Discharge) at (912) 651-3700 for the most current intake and release information. Alternatively, visit the Chatham County Jail at:

1050 Carl Griffin Drive

Savannah

GA 31405.

Active Warrant Search in Chatham County

An arrest warrant is a written court order that authorizes law enforcement to take a person into custody after a finding of probable cause that the individual committed a crime. In Chatham County, a judge or magistrate issues the warrant after reviewing sworn statements or evidence submitted by law enforcement or the prosecutor. A valid arrest warrant includes the following information:

  • The individual’s name
  • Details of the alleged offense
  • The issuing court
  • Date of issuance
  • Signature of the issuing judge
  • Probably cause statement
  • Instructions to law enforcement on how to execute the warrant.

The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office manages active warrant information and serves warrants issued by local courts. To protect public safety, due process, and law enforcement operations, the Sheriff’s Office limits online access to active warrant information. Instead, members of the public can inquire about active warrants by calling or visiting the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 652-7634 or by contacting the courthouse where the warrant originated. Individuals requesting information about their own warrant status or a specific case should be prepared to provide identifying details, such as a full name and date of birth.

A criminal defense attorney can also check for a warrant on an individual’s behalf, confirm its status, and potentially arrange a voluntary surrender that may result in a lower bond.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Chatham

The public can access Chatham County arrest records for free through several sources, although each option has limits on scope and detail. At the county level, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Bookings Portal serves as the primary tool for recent arrests, providing a 72-hour booking log and a current inmate search. Users can search by first and last name to view booking dates, charges, arresting agencies, and bond amounts.

When an arrest advances into the court system, the Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court and State Court maintains the case records. The Chatham County Unified Case Search allows users to look up cases by name or case number and review docket status and outcomes. While the portal allows free searching and viewing of case summaries, it often requires a fee to download full court documents.

Free tools often exclude older arrests, sealed or restricted records, and sensitive or redacted information. These resources typically focus on recent activity, and even when access is free, agencies may impose delays or require identity verification.

Chatham Arrest Report

In Chatham County, an arrest record and an arrest report are separate documents that serve different purposes and are accessible through separate systems. Law enforcement creates an arrest record when officers book an individual into custody. This summary entry appears in jail, booking, or case-management systems and tracks custody status and charges rather than the circumstances of the arrest. Agencies usually make arrest records available instantly and at no cost through online portals.

An arrest report, referred to as an incident report, is a chronological narrative prepared by the arresting officer. It explains the events leading to the arrest, including officer observations, witness statements, collected evidence, and the probable cause determination. Arrest reports support prosecution and investigations and may be withheld or redacted from public release, particularly while a case remains active. Access typically requires submitting a formal open records request to the police department’s records unit rather than using a simple online search.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Chatham

Georgia uses the term Record Restriction instead of expungement. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, this process hides eligible records from the public while allowing law enforcement to access them. Authorities determine eligibility and manage the process based on the arrest date and case outcome. Individuals may qualify for record restriction in Georgia if they:

  • Have an arrest dismissed by law enforcement or a not-guilty verdict entered by a court
  • Complete a diversion program
  • They were youthful offenders with no new arrests for five years
  • Meet the 2021 Second Chance law criteria for certain misdemeanors
  • Successfully complete probation under the First Offender Act.

For arrests after July 1, 2013, Georgia automatically restricts most non-convictions. However, individuals must contact the District Attorney’s Office for felonies or the Solicitor General for misdemeanors to update the GCIC if the restriction does not appear.

Individuals seeking to restrict public access to arrest records from before July 1, 2023, should:

  • Download or obtain a Request to Restrict Arrest Record form and complete Section 1
  • Submit the request form to the arresting agency to complete Section 2, along with the required processing fee (usually up to $50.00). The agency forwards it to the Chatham District Attorney’s Office for approval
  • Allow the prosecutor to complete Section 3 if the record qualifies for restriction
  • Send the approved form with a $25.00 money order or certified check payable to the "Georgia Bureau of Investigation" to:

Georgia Crime Information Center Record Restrictions

P.O. Box 370808

Decatur

GA 30037-0808.

Once authorities approve a restriction, they remove the arrest from public background checks, helping individuals with employment, housing, and licensing while keeping the record accessible to law enforcement.

How Do You Remove Arrest Records From the Internet?

Applicants may be able to remove records from public spaces if their official records are restricted (Georgia’s equivalent of expungement). Registrants may also need to contact the websites or background-check services that publish the records and provide proof of restriction or dismissal. Some sites accept online forms, while others require a written request, and follow-up may be necessary to ensure removal.

Under Georgia’s Mugshot Law (O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19), websites must remove booking photos for dismissed or restricted cases within 30 days at no cost. Individuals can send a written demand, and websites that fail to comply may face lawsuits and be required to compensate for damages, including attorney fees.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Under the Georgia Open Records Act, agencies offer public arrest records for inspection and copying. Although the law exempts sensitive and investigative files, agencies must disclose initial arrest and incident reports upon request. Publicly available information includes:

  • Identifying details, such as the subject’s name, age, sex, and race
  • The booking number
  • The date, time, and location of the arrest
  • The alleged offense
  • The arresting agency
  • Bond amounts.

Mugshots generally remain public, but O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19 prohibits commercial websites from charging a fee to remove them.