Dekalb County GA Arrest Records Search | Jail & Court 2026

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DeKalb County, Georgia · Jail, booking, police report and criminal court guide

DeKalb County Jail, Booking and Criminal Court Record Guide

A DeKalb County arrest does not produce one single record. The jail creates a booking record, the arresting agency maintains the incident report, Magistrate Court handles the first appearance, and State or Superior Court maintains the later criminal case.

This guide explains those systems in one place, including exact jail contacts, search troubleshooting, first-appearance times, police-report fees, bonding requirements, inmate mail, remote visits, court-copy costs and Georgia record-restriction steps.

Run the live jail or court search Call jail information Fix a missing record
An arrest is not a conviction. A booking charge is an allegation entered during arrest or intake. Prosecutors may decline, replace or reduce charges, and a court may dismiss a case or find the defendant not guilty. Verify the court disposition before describing the result.
Jail hotline

404-298-8145, available 24 hours.

Jail address

4425 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032.

Bonding office

7 a.m.–11:59 p.m. every day.

Remote visits

$0.19 per minute; schedule 24 hours ahead.

Facts reviewed

August 5, 2026 using official sources.

Record router

Choose the DeKalb record that answers your question

JAIL SEARCH Is the person currently in custody?

Use the Judicial Information System’s Jail Search to check booking, custody, arrest-date, charge and bond information associated with the jail record.

Best for: current custody, booking number, inmate identifier, charge list and bond status.
ARRESTING AGENCY What allegedly happened?

Request the incident report, arrest report or related releasable documents from the Sheriff, DeKalb County Police or the municipal department whose officer made the arrest.

Best for: officer narrative, report number, incident location and releasable investigative documents.
COURT RECORD What happened after the arrest?

Use Smart Search for filed accusations, indictments, hearings, motions, orders, pleas, judgments, sentencing and final disposition.

Best for: court dates, amended charges, dismissal, conviction, acquittal and certified proof.
Reliable workflow: Find the jail record, save its identifiers, determine the arresting agency, search the related case and order only the specific report or certified disposition still needed.

Choose the problem you need to solve

Every section provides the rules and next action directly inside the article.

Official lookup workflow

How to search DeKalb County jail and court records correctly

Open the DeKalb Judicial Information System The same official portal provides Jail Search, Smart Search for court cases and Search Hearings for scheduled proceedings.
Select Jail Search for custody information Use this section when the first question is whether the person was booked or remains in DeKalb County Jail.
Begin with the last name only A broad search avoids excluding a record because of a middle-name difference, suffix, alias, maiden name or spelling variation.
Add the first name only when necessary When many records share the surname, add the legal first name. Avoid filling every field during the first attempt.
Open each plausible result Compare birth date or age, booking date, arresting agency, booking number, charges and case identifiers.
Save the exact identifiers Record the full name as displayed, booking number, party number, arrest date, arresting agency and every court case number.
Return to Smart Search Search the case number first. When only a name is available, use the full name and compare every possible case carefully.
Use Search Hearings for a court-date check Enter a focused date range and verify the judge, courtroom, case number and hearing type against the official notice.
Do not combine separate cases. One person may have several bookings, misdemeanor cases, felony matters or traffic cases. Treat each booking and case number as a separate record until the docket proves otherwise.
Open the live Judicial Information System Call the jail hotline
Portal troubleshooting

What to click in the DeKalb judicial portal

DeKalb County Judicial Information System
Jail Search Current or previous jail-related records and booking information.
Smart Search Criminal and civil court cases using a party name or case number.
Search Hearings Court hearings within a selected date range.

Browser requirements

The portal says JavaScript is disabled Enable JavaScript for the portal and reload the page.
The portal says cookies are blocked Allow site cookies. The application uses them to maintain the active session.
The browser is unsupported Update Chrome, Firefox or Safari and reopen the official portal.
The session expires Return to the portal homepage and run a new focused search rather than repeatedly refreshing the expired page.

How to request access to view available document images

Create a non-agency portal account Register with an email address and complete the account-verification process.
Select the profile icon After signing in, open the user-profile menu.
Choose Request Access Select the access-request option rather than assuming registration automatically unlocks document images.
Request Public Access with Documents This is the role the portal identifies for public users who need to view and print available Smart Search document images.
Restricted records remain restricted. Account registration does not override sealed, confidential, juvenile, protected or legally restricted access.
Result decoder

How to interpret a DeKalb County arrest-search result

Jail and court fields explained
Field What it identifies What it does not prove Best next action
Booking number A particular jail intake or custody event. It does not establish guilt or the final court outcome. Use it for jail calls, booking-photo requests and service questions.
Arrest date The date associated with the arrest. It may differ from booking or case-filing dates. Use it to distinguish current and older events.
Arresting agency The Sheriff, county police or city department responsible for the arrest. It does not mean that agency maintains the court disposition. Request the incident report from this agency.
Charge The alleged offense recorded during arrest or booking. The prosecutor may file a different or amended charge. Check the accusation, indictment or later court filing.
Bond amount A bond entry connected with a listed charge or matter. Paying one bond may not resolve every charge or hold. Confirm all cases, warrants and holds with the Bonding Office.
Case number The number used to locate the court case. A single booking may connect with more than one case. Copy each number into Smart Search separately.
D number An unindicted Superior Court matter before formal filing and judge assignment. It is not yet an assigned Superior Court case number. Direct filing-status questions to the District Attorney.
Disposition The recorded outcome of a charge or case. A summary label may not explain every count. Read or order the actual final-disposition document.
Release status The custody record’s current release-related status. A release status does not mean the person has physically exited. Confirm physical release before arranging pickup.
Booking photo An image created during the booking process. A photograph is not evidence of guilt or conviction. Verify identity through record numbers and biographical details.
Same-name protection

Verify the person before relying on the record

Full legal name is consistent
Middle name, suffix or alias is consistent
Date of birth or age is consistent
Arrest date matches the known incident
Arresting agency matches the location
Booking or case number matches another official record
Use at least two independent identifiers. Never send money, contact an employer, publish an allegation or make a safety decision from a name or photograph alone.
Same name, different birth date Treat the records as different people unless an official custodian confirms a data error.
Similar photo, different booking number Visual resemblance is weaker than the official identifiers.
Same person, several case numbers Review every case independently because each may have a different charge, court or disposition.
Address appears incorrect Addresses may be old, incomplete or confidential. Do not use an address as the sole match.
Troubleshooting

No DeKalb County arrest record found? Follow this order

The arrest happened recently Identification, medical screening, property inventory, charging and portal entry may still be underway.
The name is recorded differently Search the surname alone and try a maiden name, alias, suffix, compound surname or alternate spelling.
A city police department made the arrest The person may remain in municipal custody before transfer, and the city department will maintain its own police report.
The person was released quickly The current jail result may change after bond or release. Use Smart Search for the later court case.
The person was transferred Custody may have moved to another county, Georgia Department of Corrections, federal custody or another agency.
The felony is still unindicted The matter may be identified by a D number and may not yet have a judge or ordinary Superior Court case number.
The record is restricted Juvenile, sealed, restricted or otherwise confidential records may not appear in public results.
The arrest occurred outside DeKalb County Search the jurisdiction where the arrest occurred rather than the person’s residence.
Useful jail call script “I am trying to confirm whether [full legal name], date of birth [date], was booked into DeKalb County Jail after an arrest on or about [date]. The arresting agency may be [agency]. I have [booking, report or case number]. Can you confirm the current custody, release or transfer status?”
Jail General Information Hotline

404-298-8145

Jail operations are listed as available 24 hours daily.

Inmate Family Hotline

404-298-8090

Use for family-related inmate questions after identifying the person.

Arrest-to-court timeline

What happens after a DeKalb County arrest?

Arresting-agency record The deputy or officer creates the incident, arrest, warrant or probable-cause documentation maintained by that law-enforcement agency.
Jail intake The jail verifies identity, inventories property, enters charges and creates the booking record and inmate identifier.
First appearance The defendant is informed of the charges and rights. Counsel, bond and release conditions are addressed when the judge has legal authority to do so.
Misdemeanor or felony routing A misdemeanor matter generally proceeds through the Solicitor-General and State Court. A felony matter generally proceeds through the District Attorney and Superior Court.
Formal charging decision A State Court misdemeanor case begins when the Solicitor-General files an accusation. A Superior Court felony proceeds through a grand-jury indictment or District Attorney accusation.
Judge assignment A felony case is not assigned to a Superior Court judge until the indictment or accusation is filed. Before that, it may remain an unindicted D-number matter.
Hearings and case activity The docket may show arraignment, motions, calendar calls, trial settings, pleas, continuances, warrants and other orders.
Disposition and record update The matter may end through dismissal, nolle prosequi, plea, trial, acquittal, judgment or another disposition. The official disposition should then be added to the court record.
First appearance is not a trial. The Magistrate Court states that the judge does not decide guilt, dismiss charges or question the defendant about the facts during this hearing.
Court router

Which DeKalb County court handles the case?

Criminal court responsibilities
Court or office Cases or responsibilities Key timing or contact
Magistrate Court Criminal Division Arrest warrants, search warrants, first appearances, preliminary matters and certain bond questions. 3630 Camp Circle; 404-294-2150.
State Court Division A Misdemeanor criminal cases and serious traffic offenses, including DUI and vehicular homicide. 556 N. McDonough Street; 404-371-2261.
State Court Division B Most state-law traffic citations and related proceedings. 3630 Camp Circle; 404-294-2099.
Superior Court Felony criminal cases after an indictment or accusation is filed. 556 N. McDonough Street; 404-371-4901.
District Attorney Felony charging decisions, unindicted D-number matters and felony record-restriction review. 404-371-2561.
Solicitor-General Misdemeanor prosecution, accusation filing and misdemeanor record-restriction review. 404-371-2201.
Public Defender Representation inquiries for eligible criminal defendants. 404-371-2222.
Pretrial Services Monitoring and services associated with specified pretrial and diversion programs. Room 120, 556 N. McDonough Street; 404-371-3025.

Current first-appearance schedule

Misdemeanor first appearance

9:30 a.m. every day.

Felony first appearance

1 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Calendar listings can change. Use the official notice and current court information. A missing online calendar entry does not automatically cancel the required appearance.
Police and Sheriff records

How to request the actual DeKalb arrest report

The correct custodian is the agency that created the report. The Sheriff’s jail record does not replace a DeKalb County Police or municipal police incident report.

Send the request to the correct agency
Arresting agency Where to request Useful identifier
DeKalb County Sheriff Sheriff Open Records portal or Open Records unit at 404-298-8171. Inmate name, current booking number, date and requested record.
DeKalb County Police Police Records/Open Records, 1960 W. Exchange Place, Tucker. Police report number, date, location and involved name.
City police department The municipal department whose officer made the arrest. City, report number, incident date and arresting officer when known.
Court document State Court or Superior Court Clerk, depending on misdemeanor or felony jurisdiction. Court case number and exact document requested.

Information that prevents delay

Full legal name of the arrested person
Date of birth when known
Incident or arrest date
Street address or location
Arresting agency
Police report or incident number
Booking number
Specific documents requested
Copy-ready records request
Under the Georgia Open Records Act, I request an electronic copy of the releasable incident report, arrest report, probable-cause document and releasable supplemental reports relating to [full legal name], date of birth [date if known], for the incident or arrest occurring on or about [date] at [location]. The believed arresting agency is [agency]. Known identifiers are report number [number], booking number [number] and court case number [number]. Please provide a written estimate before processing if the cost will exceed $[amount].

Georgia Open Records timing and cost controls

  • The Sheriff’s request form states that the agency must respond within three business days.
  • A response does not always mean immediate production; the office may explain a lawful delay in writing.
  • DeKalb County’s general schedule lists letter or legal copies at 10 cents per page.
  • The first 15 minutes of qualifying labor are not charged under the county guidance.
  • An estimate over $25 requires requester approval before the work begins.
  • An estimate over $500 may require advance payment.
  • The agency does not have to create a new summary or document that does not already exist.
Possible redactions: Active investigative material, juvenile information, victim details, protected personal data, medical information and other legally exempt content may be redacted or withheld.
Submit a Sheriff records request Submit a county or police request
Police Records fee sheet

DeKalb County Police report and background-check fees

The Police Records Section publishes the following charges for services handled at 1960 W. Exchange Place in Tucker.

DeKalb County Police Records Section fees
Service Published fee Practical note
Incident, fire or EMS report $0.25 per page Provide the report number to avoid a broad search.
Accident report $5 per report Confirm the crash-report number and incident date.
Certified report copy $0.10 per page Ask whether certification satisfies the receiving organization.
Employment, adoption, housing, visa or immigration background check $20 Confirm whether a local name-based check is sufficient.
Personal-use background check $10 This may not satisfy an employer or licensing agency.
Record restriction $25 This Police fee applies when the department’s role is required.
Inspection of records $3 Ask what records and time period the inspection covers.
Published payment methods: The Police Records fee sheet lists certified check and money order.
Availability estimate: DeKalb County Police states that incident and accident reports are generally available about three to five business days after the incident.
Police Records Section
1960 W. Exchange Place
Tucker, GA 30084
Open Records Unit

Phone: 770-724-7474

Fax: 770-724-7814

Email: DKPDOpenRecords@dekalbcountyga.gov

Booking photographs

How DeKalb County booking-photo requests work

Find the booking first

Save the exact inmate name and current booking number from Jail Search before requesting a photograph.

General public request

Use the Sheriff’s Open Records process and identify the exact booking rather than requesting every photo connected with a common name.

News organizations

The Sheriff states that news organizations must sign a Booking Photo Use Agreement required by Georgia law before receiving photos through the media process.

A mugshot has limited meaning. It proves only that an image was created during a booking event. It does not prove that charges were filed, that the person was convicted or that the case remains pending.
Confirm the booking number
Confirm the arrest date
Confirm the date of birth or age
Check the final court disposition
Arresting-agency directory

DeKalb County and municipal police contacts

The detailed police report remains with the arresting agency even when the person is later booked into the county jail.

Law-enforcement contact numbers published by the Sheriff
Agency Published phone When to call
DeKalb County Police 678-406-7929 County police arrests, reports and non-emergency questions.
Avondale Estates Police 404-294-5410 Arrests or incidents handled by Avondale Estates.
Brookhaven Police 404-637-0600 Brookhaven arrests and police reports.
Chamblee Police 770-986-5000 Chamblee arrests and incident reports.
Clarkston Police 404-294-2911 Clarkston arrests and records.
Decatur Police 404-373-6551 City of Decatur arrests and reports.
Doraville Police 770-455-1000 Doraville arrests and police records.
Dunwoody Police 678-382-6900 Dunwoody arrests and reports.
Lithonia Police 770-482-4461 Lithonia arrests and incident records.
Pine Lake Police 404-292-4250 Pine Lake arrests and reports.
Stone Mountain Police 770-879-4980 Stone Mountain arrests and records.
Stonecrest non-emergency 404-294-2519 Confirm the responsible agency for a Stonecrest incident.
Tucker non-emergency 678-597-9040 Confirm the responsible agency for a Tucker incident.
Emergency or immediate danger: Call 911 rather than a records, jail or non-emergency number.
Bond and release

DeKalb County cash, professional and property bonds

DeKalb County Bail Bonding Office
DeKalb County Jail
4425 Memorial Drive
Decatur, GA 30032
Hours and phone

404-298-8195

7 a.m.–11:59 p.m.

Daily, including weekends and holidays.

Confirm all holds before paying. A payable bond on one charge does not guarantee release when another case, no-bond charge, probation matter or outside-agency hold remains.

Required bond fees

$20 Sheriff fee

The Sheriff charges a nonrefundable $20 fee on every bond.

12% professional fee

Authorized bonding companies may charge 12% when the bond is $10,000 or less.

15% professional fee

Authorized bonding companies may charge 15% when the bond is more than $10,000.

Cash bond

A cash bond requires the total face value plus required penalties. The Sheriff publishes the following accepted forms:

United States currency
Cashier’s check
Traveler’s check
U.S. Postal Service money order
Western Union money order
No personal checks

Professional bonding company

  • Use only a company authorized to operate in DeKalb County.
  • The authorized list is posted by the Sheriff and in the jail lobby and Bonding Office.
  • The Sheriff does not recommend one company over another.
  • A professional company’s premium is normally a fee rather than money later returned as a cash-bond refund.

Property bond document checklist

Every owner listed on the deed appears in person
Valid state-issued ID for every participating owner
Certified recorded warranty deed or other qualifying deed
Current-year property-tax statement
Recent mortgage statement or cancellation of security deed
Power of Attorney when an owner is lawfully represented
Probate documentation when a listed owner is deceased
Proof of purchase and payment when property is paid off
Property-bond charges: The Sheriff publishes a $20 nonrefundable property-bond form fee and a $7.50 property-affidavit fee, collected in cash.
Property lien rule: The Sheriff states that a property bond below $10,000 does not result in a lien. A property bond of $10,000 or more results in a lien on the property.

Cash-bond refund process

Wait until the case is completed A cash bond cannot be returned merely because the defendant was released from jail.
Obtain the correct Bond Release Form For a felony, obtain it through the District Attorney. For a misdemeanor, obtain it through the Solicitor-General.
Prepare the surety’s documents The person named on the bond receipt must appear with valid state-issued identification and the white cash-bond receipt or an obtainable copy.
Visit the Civil Process Unit The unit is in Room B110 of the DeKalb County Courthouse at 556 N. McDonough Street.
Receive the refund check The Sheriff issues the refund payable to the surety after the required release documentation is approved.
Civil Process Unit hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays, excluding weekends and holidays.
Calls and remote visitation

DeKalb County Jail phone and video-visit rules

Inmate telephone service

$0.10 per minute

The Sheriff publishes a jail telephone rate of 10 cents per minute.

Coinless housing-unit phones

Phones are available in the housing units under jail operating rules.

Legal-services calls

The Sheriff states that calls to legal services are available without cost.

Remote visitation quick facts

Cost

$0.19 per minute.

Visit length

30 minutes.

Weekly limit

Three remote visits.

Advance booking

At least 24 hours.

On-site visits

Not currently offered for friends and family.

Published visiting hours

Morning period

8 a.m.–11:30 a.m. daily.

Evening period

4 p.m.–9:20 p.m. daily.

Confirm the person remains in custody Do not create or fund an account for someone who has been released or transferred.
Register for ViaPath Use accurate identifying and contact information during account creation.
Confirm approved-list status Friends and family must be on the inmate’s approved visitation list for remote service.
Schedule at least 24 hours ahead Telephone scheduling is not offered.
Test the device Confirm the internet connection, camera, microphone, speakers and browser permissions.
Follow conduct rules Dress and behave appropriately. Violations can lead to interrupted visits or restricted future access.
Monitoring notice: Visits other than attorney and clergy sessions are recorded and electronically monitored. Maximum-security or mental-health inmates may be unable to receive visits, and special accommodations may be arranged during intake.
Register or schedule through ViaPath
Mail, money and property

How to support someone in DeKalb County Jail

Ordinary inmate mailing address

Use the inmate’s exact identifier
DeKalb County Jail, Georgia
Inmate Name – Inmate Identifier
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131

Postcard requirements

Use a postcard rather than an ordinary envelope
White postcard only
Minimum 3½ by 4¼ inches
Maximum 4¼ by 6 inches
Blue or black ink only
Preprinted or metered postage
No glued or adhesive stamp
Include a complete return address

Mail likely to be rejected

  • Postcards altered, defaced, wrapped in plastic or covered with labels or stickers.
  • Paint, crayon, markers, watermarks or visible stains.
  • Perfume, lipstick or other possible biohazard material.
  • Nudity, weapon imagery or gang references.
  • An affixed adhesive stamp rather than qualifying printed or metered postage.
  • Ordinary correspondence sent through the legal-mail process.
Book-order rule: The Sheriff states that books ordered from Amazon are no longer accepted. Books must be ordered through qualifying retail bookstores such as Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million and must satisfy all other jail rules.

Depositing money

Jail or Visitation Center kiosk

Make a direct deposit using cash or a debit card at an available lobby kiosk.

ViaPath deposit

Deposit through GettingOut or call 866-516-0115.

Verify before depositing: Confirm the exact inmate name and identifier. Deposits made to the wrong account may be difficult to reverse.
Commissary balance: Inmates can use their personal account to buy approved food, personal items and games. The Sheriff states that remaining balances are refunded at release.
Make an approved online deposit

Retrieving property held at intake

An inmate may authorize another person to retrieve items from jail intake property for an emergency during the first seven days of incarceration. The inmate must complete a signed release.

Pickup period: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Confirm the current procedure before traveling.

Property seized by police as evidence

Police-seized property is separate from jail intake property. The Police Property Room is at 3630 Camp Circle and can be reached at 404-294-2528.

  • Bring a valid state-issued ID, driver’s license, U.S. military ID or passport.
  • To collect someone else’s property, contact the arresting officer or detective first.
  • Evidence requires an Authorization of Release Letter from the responsible officer or detective.
Court documents

DeKalb criminal court copy fees and file retention

Superior and State Court criminal-record fees
Record or service Published fee Office and requirement
Superior Court regular copy $1 per page Criminal Division, ground floor of the courthouse.
Superior Court certified disposition $2.50 first page; $0.50 each additional page Identification is required for a certified criminal disposition.
Superior Court card surcharge 2% plus $1 Applies when an eligible credit-card payment is used.
State Court regular copy $1 per page Cash or money order payable to State Court of DeKalb County.
State Court certified copy $5 Request through the State Court Criminal Division.
State Court restricted-case copy Clerk provides a case-specific estimate Authorized requester must provide the case number and government-issued ID.
State Court appeal filing $25 The notice must identify the case and appellate court.
Superior Court disposition timing: The Clerk states that final dispositions are generally entered and available within 24 hours after the hearing date.

Where to order the disposition

Felony disposition
Clerk of Superior Court – Criminal Division
556 N. McDonough Street
Ground Floor
Decatur, GA 30030

404-371-2836

8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday.

Misdemeanor disposition
State Court Criminal Division
556 N. McDonough Street
Suite 240
Decatur, GA 30030

404-371-2261

8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday.

Older court files

State Court misdemeanor files

The Magistrate Court FAQ states that original misdemeanor files for approximately the last three years are retained on site.

Superior Court files

The same official guidance states that Superior Court retains records on site for approximately five years.

Off-site retrieval

An older file ordered from the retention center may take approximately three to ten days to reach the Clerk.

Warrant information

How to check or apply for a DeKalb County warrant

Checking your own possible warrant

The Magistrate Court Clerk does not confirm outstanding arrest warrants. Contact the Sheriff’s Warrants Unit at 404-298-8200.

Private-party warrant application

Applications are accepted in person at Magistrate Court Criminal Division, 3630 Camp Circle.

Private-party warrant application requirements

Current government-issued picture ID
Detailed description of the alleged offense
Date and location of the event
Correct identifying information for the respondent
Current residential address for the respondent
$20 application fee unless waived by law or judge
Application hours: Private-party warrant applications are accepted at the public window from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Judges review applications during designated weekday review periods.
Fee waiver: The $20 fee is waived for qualifying domestic-violence victims and certain other specified offenses and may be waived by the reviewing judge in other cases.
Do not confront anyone shown in a warrant result. Online or verbal information may involve a similar name, recalled warrant or status change. Contact law enforcement.
Victim notification

How to receive DeKalb inmate release notifications

Victims and concerned users can register through VINE for custody-related notifications. Registration requires accurate inmate and contact information.

Confirm the inmate’s exact name
Save the booking or inmate identifier
Choose a secure phone number or email
Create a PIN when the service requests one
Keep contact information current
Recheck the official jail record for urgent decisions
Notifications are a backup, not a safety plan. A person facing immediate danger should call 911 and work with law enforcement or a victim advocate.
Register for VINE custody alerts
Health, grievances and safety

How an inmate can request help inside DeKalb County Jail

Medical appointment

Housing-unit monitors allow inmates to request medical appointments through the jail system.

Grievance

Inmates can use housing-unit monitors to submit grievances and access service information.

Commissary and services

The same system can be used to order commissary and access other approved jail services.

Immediate medical emergency: The inmate should notify a detention officer or medical staff immediately rather than waiting for an ordinary request to be reviewed.

Reporting sexual abuse or harassment

PREA Hotline

404-298-8109

Office of Professional Standards

404-298-8125

4415 Memorial Drive
Decatur, GA 30032

A third party may report an incident by notifying Sheriff staff, calling the PREA Hotline, contacting Professional Standards in person or by mail, or using the Sheriff’s comment process.

Georgia record restriction

How to restrict an eligible DeKalb arrest record

Restriction is not automatic. A dismissed charge does not necessarily disappear from the Georgia criminal-history system, jail data, court file or third-party website.

What record restriction means

Georgia record restriction limits an eligible criminal-history record from public, non-criminal-justice access. Restricted information generally remains available to law enforcement for authorized criminal-justice purposes.

Start with the arrest date

Arrest after July 1, 2013

GBI states that there is no ordinary application process through the arresting agency. Contact the prosecutor to request restriction.

Arrest before July 1, 2013

Apply through the original arresting agency using the older record-restriction procedure.

Which prosecutor should review the matter?

Felony matter

Obtain the certified disposition and contact the DeKalb County District Attorney.

Misdemeanor matter

Use the State Court record-inquiry process and contact the DeKalb County Solicitor-General.

Identify every arrest and case number Do not assume that one restriction decision covers unrelated bookings or court cases.
Obtain a certified disposition The Superior Court Clerk requires identification for a certified felony disposition.
Confirm the arrest date The date determines whether the prosecutor or arresting-agency procedure applies.
Submit to the correct prosecutor or agency Felony and misdemeanor matters are routed to different prosecuting offices.
Respond to requests for missing documentation An incomplete disposition, incorrect case number or unresolved charge can delay review.
Verify the state history afterward Confirm that the approved restriction has been processed in the Georgia criminal-history system.
Restriction-related costs appearing in DeKalb schedules
Item Published amount When it may apply
Certified felony disposition $2.50 first page; $0.50 additional page Obtaining the official Superior Court result.
State Court certified copy $5 Obtaining a certified misdemeanor record.
DeKalb County Police restriction service $25 When the County Police process applies to an older arrest or agency record.
Restricted is different from sealed. State Court states that public records are open unless restricted. A sealed court record requires a court process and is not made available merely because an arrest-history entry was restricted.
Legal guidance: Eligibility depends on the charge, disposition, arrest date and Georgia law. Seek advice from a qualified Georgia attorney for a case-specific determination.
Review the GBI restriction process
Georgia criminal history

When the DeKalb search is not broad enough

The county portal shows DeKalb jail and court information. It is not automatically a complete Georgia or nationwide background check.

Local DeKalb search

Useful for county jail records, DeKalb cases and records created by local law-enforcement agencies.

Georgia felony-conviction search

Public Georgia felony-conviction information can be requested using the state-authorized Felon Search service.

Fingerprint-based check

Use the process required by the employer, licensing board, immigration authority or requesting government agency.

What a Georgia criminal history may contain: Identification data, arresting agency, arrest date, charges, final judicial dispositions and custodial information submitted by participating criminal-justice agencies.
Name-search limitation: Similar names, aliases and incomplete identifiers can produce a false match or missed record. Use fingerprint-based screening when the requesting authority requires identity-level confirmation.
Contact directory

Call the DeKalb office that controls the record

Jail, Sheriff, court and prosecution contacts
Office Contact Use this office for
Jail General Information 404-298-8145 Custody, jail operations and general inmate questions.
Inmate Family Hotline 404-298-8090 Family inmate-information questions.
Jail Division Information 404-298-8100 General Jail Services Division questions.
Bonding Office 404-298-8195 Cash, professional or property bond questions.
Sheriff Open Records 404-298-8171 Sheriff records and open-record requests.
Warrants Unit 404-298-8200 Possible outstanding Sheriff warrant information.
Magistrate Criminal Division 404-294-2150 First appearances, criminal warrants and preliminary matters.
State Court Criminal Division 404-371-2261 Misdemeanor cases, copies and court records.
Superior Court Criminal Clerk 404-371-2836 Felony records and certified dispositions.
Superior Court 404-371-4901 Superior Court judicial and courtroom information.
District Attorney 404-371-2561 Felony charging, D-number and felony restriction questions.
Solicitor-General 404-371-2201 Misdemeanor prosecution and restriction questions.
Public Defender 404-371-2222 Representation and eligibility inquiries.
Pretrial Services 404-371-3025 Pretrial monitoring and specified diversion-program questions.
Locations and directions

DeKalb County Jail and courthouse maps

DeKalb County Jail · 4425 Memorial Drive

DeKalb County Courthouse · 556 N. McDonough Street

Confirm before traveling. Check current custody, office hours, courtroom, security restrictions and the correct building. The jail, courthouse and Magistrate Criminal Division are at different locations.
Task-based next steps

What should you do with the record you found?

1
Confirm current custody

Check Jail Search and call the jail before arranging pickup, bond, visits or deposits.

2
Understand the allegation

Request the report from the arresting agency using the police report and booking identifiers.

3
Find the court outcome

Search every case number and locate the final disposition rather than relying on the booking charge.

4
Obtain formal proof

Order a certified misdemeanor or felony disposition when a receiving institution requires it.

5
Correct an error

Contact the agency that created the incorrect field and provide official evidence of the error.

6
Request restriction

Obtain the certified disposition, identify the arrest date and route the request to the proper prosecutor or arresting agency.

Verification summary

Official information incorporated into this guide

Sheriff and jail operations

Jail contacts, search portal, bonding, fees, property bonds, refunds, mail, money, calls, visits, property release and PREA reporting.

DeKalb courts

Magistrate first appearances, misdemeanor and felony routing, D-number handling, record copies, retention and court contacts.

Police and Georgia records

Police-report availability and fees, open-record procedures, statewide criminal-history limits and record-restriction routing.

Live-status rule: Custody, bond, hearing, warrant and case information can change after publication. Use the official portal only for the final live status check or transaction.
Frequently asked questions

DeKalb County arrest-record questions answered

How do I search DeKalb County arrest records?

Open the Judicial Information System and select Jail Search. Begin with the last name, verify the booking details and then use Smart Search to locate the related criminal case.

What phone number provides DeKalb County Jail information?

The Jail General Information Hotline is 404-298-8145. The Sheriff also publishes an Inmate Family Hotline at 404-298-8090.

Why is someone not appearing in Jail Search?

The person may still be completing intake, may be listed under another name, may remain in municipal custody, or may have been released or transferred. Retry with fewer fields and contact the jail.

Which court handles a DeKalb felony?

Superior Court handles felony cases after the District Attorney files an accusation or a grand jury returns an indictment. Before filing, the matter may remain an unindicted D-number case without a judge assignment.

When is a DeKalb first appearance?

Misdemeanor first appearances are currently held at 9:30 a.m. every day. Felony first appearances are held at 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

What does it cost to post bond?

The Sheriff charges a nonrefundable $20 fee on all bonds. Authorized professional companies may charge 12% for bonds of $10,000 or less and 15% for bonds over $10,000.

How do DeKalb remote jail visits work?

Visitors must be approved and schedule through ViaPath at least 24 hours ahead. Visits cost $0.19 per minute, last 30 minutes and are limited to three remote visits per inmate each week.

How do I mail a DeKalb County inmate?

Send an eligible white postcard to DeKalb County Jail, Georgia, inmate name and identifier, P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131. Use blue or black ink and preprinted or metered postage.

How much are criminal court copies?

Superior Court regular copies are $1 per page. Certified Superior dispositions are $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. State Court copies are $1 per page and certified copies are $5.

How do I restrict a DeKalb arrest record?

Obtain a certified disposition first. For arrests after July 1, 2013, contact the appropriate prosecutor. For older arrests, apply through the original arresting agency. Eligibility is governed by Georgia law.

Accuracy, identity and legal-use notice

County Arrest Records is an independent informational guide. It is not the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, DeKalb County Police Department, Clerk of Superior Court, State Court, Magistrate Court, District Attorney, Solicitor-General or Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Arrest, booking, bond, warrant, custody and court information can change after judicial action, release, transfer, correction or record restriction. Confirm the person with multiple identifiers and obtain a current official record before making a legal, employment, housing, financial, safety or publication decision.

Every arrested person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. This guide provides procedural information and is not legal advice.

Last official-source review: August 5, 2026.

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