Bartow County Criminal Records
What Is Bartow County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Bartow County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70, which establishes the framework for public access to government records.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories of documentation:
- Arrest Records: Documents created when law enforcement takes a person into custody, including booking information, charges, and mugshots
- Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings, including charges, hearings, pleas, and case dispositions
- Conviction Records: Final judgments resulting in guilty verdicts or pleas
- Incarceration Records: Information regarding jail or prison terms served
The Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court serves as the primary custodian for criminal case records within the county judicial system. These records are categorized according to severity:
- Felony Records: Documenting serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanor Records: Pertaining to less severe offenses typically punishable by fines or jail terms under one year
It is important to note the distinction between adult and juvenile records. Under Georgia Code § 15-11-701, juvenile records (individuals under 18) are generally sealed and not accessible to the public without a court order.
Multiple agencies maintain portions of Bartow County's criminal records:
Bartow County Sheriff's Office
104 Zena Drive
Cartersville, GA 30121
770-382-5050
Bartow County Sheriff's Office
Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court
135 West Cherokee Avenue
Cartersville, GA 30120
770-387-5030
Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
404-244-2600
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
These records typically include detailed information about charges filed, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, sentencing outcomes, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Bartow County
Criminal records in Bartow County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70, which establishes the presumption that public records, including criminal records, should be open for inspection by any citizen of the state.
The Act specifically states: "All public records of an agency as defined in subsection (a) of this Code section, except those which by order of a court of this state or by law are specifically exempted from disclosure, shall be open for personal inspection and copying by any citizen of this state."
Public criminal records in Bartow County typically include:
- Adult arrest records
- Court proceedings and dockets
- Conviction records
- Sentencing information
- Incarceration records
- Sex offender registry information
However, certain categories of criminal records remain restricted from public access:
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
- Records sealed by court order
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- First offender records after successful completion of sentence
- Expunged or restricted records
- Certain victim information
The Bartow County Superior Court maintains the official criminal case records for felony offenses, while the Magistrate Court and Municipal Courts handle records for misdemeanors and ordinance violations. These courts operate under the unified Georgia Courts system which establishes standardized procedures for record maintenance and access.
Under Georgia Code § 35-3-34, criminal history record information maintained by the Georgia Crime Information Center may be disseminated to private individuals and businesses under certain circumstances, typically requiring the consent of the person whose record is being requested.
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records should be aware that while the records themselves may be public, personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, financial account information, and certain medical information is typically redacted to protect privacy in accordance with state law.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Bartow County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Bartow County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each serving different purposes and containing varying levels of detail.
To conduct an in-person search for criminal records:
- Visit the Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court office located at the Frank Moore Administration & Judicial Center.
- Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth or case number.
- Present valid government-issued photo identification.
- Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $0.50 per page for copies).
- Allow staff time to retrieve the requested records.
Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court
135 West Cherokee Avenue
Cartersville, GA 30120
770-387-5030
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court
For criminal records related to incarceration or current inmates:
- Contact the Bartow County Sheriff's Office Records Division.
- Submit a completed records request form specifying the information sought.
- Provide identification and pay any applicable fees.
Bartow County Sheriff's Office
104 Zena Drive
Cartersville, GA 30121
770-382-5050
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Bartow County Sheriff's Office
For statewide criminal history information:
- Submit a request to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Georgia Crime Information Center.
- Complete fingerprinting at an approved location.
- Pay the required fee (currently $25.00 per record check).
- Allow 3-5 business days for processing.
Pursuant to Georgia Code § 35-3-37, individuals may also request their own criminal history record or authorize the release of their record to a third party through a signed consent form. Employers and certain organizations may be eligible to request criminal history information under specific statutory provisions.
How To Find Criminal Records in Bartow County Online?
Bartow County offers several digital platforms that provide public access to criminal records information. These online resources vary in scope and detail but offer convenient alternatives to in-person searches.
The primary online portal for accessing Bartow County court records is the Georgia Courts Case Search, which provides a unified interface for searching court records across multiple jurisdictions. To utilize this system:
- Navigate to the Georgia Courts website
- Select "Case Search" from the available options
- Choose Bartow County from the jurisdiction dropdown
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, or date range)
- Review the results, which typically include case numbers, parties, filing dates, and case types
- Note that while basic case information is viewable, document images may require in-person retrieval
For information regarding current inmates and recent arrests, the Bartow County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search tool. This database includes:
- Current custody status
- Booking date and time
- Charges
- Bond information
- Scheduled court dates
Users should note that this system only contains information on individuals currently in custody or recently released.
The Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court provides access to the county's case management system, which contains:
- Criminal case filings
- Case status updates
- Scheduled hearings
- Disposition information
- Judgment details
For statewide criminal history information, the Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Search allows users to search for individuals who have been incarcerated in state facilities. This database includes:
- Conviction information
- Sentence details
- Custody status
- Release dates
- Supervision status
Some records available online may require registration or the creation of a user account. Additionally, pursuant to Georgia Code § 15-6-61, certain sensitive information is redacted from online records, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain personal identifiers.
Can You Search Bartow County Criminal Records for Free?
Bartow County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records at no cost, while other searches may incur fees depending on the type of record and method of access. The Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70 establishes the right to inspect public records during normal business hours at no charge, though fees may apply for copies or extensive searches.
Free criminal record search options in Bartow County include:
- In-person inspection of non-confidential criminal court records at the Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court office during regular business hours. While viewing is free, copying fees apply ($0.50 per page currently).
Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court
135 West Cherokee Avenue
Cartersville, GA 30120
770-387-5030
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court
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Online access to the Bartow County Sheriff's Office inmate search, which provides information on currently incarcerated individuals at no cost.
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Municipal Court records can be viewed at no charge at the Cartersville Municipal Court, though fees apply for certified copies.
Cartersville Municipal Court
112 W. Cherokee Avenue
Cartersville, GA 30120
770-387-5060
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Cartersville Municipal Court
- Georgia Courts Case Search portal provides basic case information at no cost, though document images may not be available.
Services that typically require payment include:
- Certified copies of court documents ($5.00 per document currently)
- Background checks conducted through the Georgia Crime Information Center ($25.00 per search)
- Extensive record searches requiring significant staff time
- Expedited search requests
- Statewide criminal history reports
Pursuant to Georgia Code § 15-6-77, the Clerk of Superior Court is authorized to collect fees for certain services related to court records. However, the law also provides fee waivers for indigent persons in some circumstances, particularly when the records are needed for legal proceedings.
What's Included in a Bartow County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Bartow County authorities contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. These records are maintained in accordance with Georgia Code § 15-6-61, which establishes the duties of the Clerk of Superior Court regarding record maintenance.
A typical Bartow County criminal record contains the following categories of information:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Initial charges filed
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction (Superior, State, Magistrate, or Municipal)
- Formal charges filed with corresponding Georgia statute references
- Classification of charges (felony or misdemeanor)
- Attorney information (prosecution and defense)
- Hearing dates and proceedings
- Plea information
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details including:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
The Civil and Criminal Division of the Bartow County Clerk's Office maintains these records in both physical and electronic formats. Certain sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, financial account details, and certain victim information, may be redacted from publicly accessible versions of these records in accordance with privacy provisions in Georgia law.
How Long Does Bartow County Keep Criminal Records?
Bartow County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Georgia Archives and Records Management Division, as mandated by Georgia Code § 50-18-99. These schedules specify minimum retention periods for various types of criminal records, though many records are maintained permanently due to their historical and legal significance.
The retention periods for common criminal record types in Bartow County are as follows:
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Felony Case Files: Maintained permanently by the Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court. These records include indictments, pleas, verdicts, sentencing information, and related documentation.
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Misdemeanor Case Files: Retained for 10 years after case closure, though many are kept longer in practice.
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Traffic Violations: Generally maintained for 5 years after case disposition, with DUI records kept for 10 years.
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Arrest Records: The Bartow County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for a minimum of 7 years, with records involving serious offenses kept substantially longer.
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Inmate Records: Jail records are typically retained for 5 years after release, though records of incarceration for serious offenses may be maintained permanently.
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Probation Records: Maintained for 5 years after completion of probation term.
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Grand Jury Records: Retained permanently as historical documents.
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Court Dockets and Indices: Maintained permanently as essential court records.
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Warrants: Active warrants remain in effect until served or recalled by the court. Executed warrant records are maintained with their associated case files.
It is important to note that even when physical records reach the end of their retention period, information may still exist in electronic databases maintained by various criminal justice agencies. Additionally, records that have been published or entered into the public domain through court proceedings may continue to be accessible through third-party sources even after official records are destroyed or archived.
The Georgia Courts system has been transitioning to electronic record-keeping, which has implications for record retention and accessibility. Digital records may be maintained indefinitely due to reduced storage constraints, though access policies remain governed by applicable state laws.