Cartersville Arrest Records

Cartersville arrest records are maintained by the Cartersville Police Department and the Bartow County Sheriff's Office. Cartersville is the county seat of Bartow County in northwest Georgia, located along the I-75 corridor between Atlanta and Chattanooga. The police department handles arrests inside city limits while the county sheriff manages the jail and booking records. Since Cartersville is the county seat, the courthouse and sheriff's office are both in town. This page covers how to find Cartersville arrest records through local, county, and state sources.

Cartersville Police Arrest Data

The Cartersville Police Department is at 178 W Main St, Cartersville, GA 30120. The non-emergency phone number is 770-382-2521. The department is the primary law enforcement agency for Cartersville. When officers arrest someone, the initial report is filed with the department. The person is then taken to the Bartow County jail for booking and detention. The Cartersville city website has police department contacts and city news.

Cartersville arrest records include the person's name, charges filed, date and time of the arrest, arresting officer, and identifying details. These are the standard fields Georgia law requires in every arrest record. The department reports arrest data to the Georgia Crime Information Center. That feeds into the statewide criminal history system. Under the Open Records Act, initial arrest reports from Cartersville PD are public records. You can request a copy in writing.

Cartersville sits at the intersection of I-75 and State Route 20, which brings a fair amount of through traffic. The police department handles arrests from both local residents and people passing through the area. Interstate-related stops are a regular part of the department's work.

Bartow County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Clark Millsap runs the Bartow County Sheriff's Office at 104 Zena Drive, Cartersville, GA 30121. The phone number is 770-382-5050. The sheriff operates the Bartow County jail, which processes all bookings from Cartersville arrests. Once a person is booked at the county level, the custody record, mugshot, and bond information are held by the sheriff's office. Cartersville PD keeps the arrest report, while the county manages everything from booking onward.

For current inmates, you can contact the Bartow County jail directly. Call the booking desk at the sheriff's office and ask about a specific person. They can tell you if someone is in custody. For older Cartersville booking records, a written request to the sheriff's office is usually needed. The county can charge a small fee for copies of documents.

Note: The Bartow County Sheriff also handles arrests in unincorporated areas of the county. Not every booking at the county jail comes from a Cartersville police arrest.

How to Get Cartersville Records

The fastest path to a recent Cartersville arrest record depends on what you need. For the arrest report, go to the Cartersville Police Department. File a written open records request that includes the person's full name, the date of arrest, and any report numbers you have. The department must respond within three business days. Copy fees are small for single records.

For jail and booking records, contact the Bartow County Sheriff at 770-382-5050. The sheriff can provide booking data, mugshots, and custody details. Because Cartersville is the county seat, you can visit both agencies in person without much travel. The county courthouse is also in Cartersville, so court records tied to arrests are available through the Bartow County Clerk of Court.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the state's central criminal history system. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you can inspect your own criminal history for up to $15. That record would include any Cartersville arrests reported to the state. Call (404) 244-2639 for an appointment at the GBI's Decatur office. They do not accept walk-ins for record inspections.

State Resources for Cartersville

The Cartersville city website provides contact information for city departments including the police.

Georgia operates several databases that can help with Cartersville arrest record searches. The GBI criminal history FAQ covers the state-level request process. The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per query and only shows felony convictions. Misdemeanor Cartersville arrests are excluded. You need a name, date of birth, and sex to run the search. The GDC Find Offender tool searches the state prison system. If a Cartersville arrest resulted in a prison sentence, the person would appear in GDC.

The Georgia Sex Offender Registry is another free tool. You can search by address to find registered offenders in Cartersville. The Georgia Sheriffs by County directory lists the Bartow County Sheriff and every other sheriff across the state.

Cartersville Record Restriction

Georgia law provides a process for restricting certain arrest records from public view. This covers arrests that did not end in a conviction. If charges were dropped, dismissed, or never prosecuted, the person may qualify for restriction. Guilty pleas and convictions remain on the public record permanently.

Arrests before July 1, 2013 go through the arresting agency. For Cartersville, that is the police department or the Bartow County Sheriff. The fee is up to $50. Arrests on or after July 1, 2013 go through the prosecuting attorney's office. Once a Cartersville arrest record is restricted, it is hidden from public access. Only law enforcement and courts can see it. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, sharing restricted records without proper authority carries a $5,000 fine.

Note: The restriction process does not happen overnight. Allow several weeks for a decision after filing your request.

Bartow County Resources

Cartersville is the county seat of Bartow County. The courthouse, jail, and sheriff's office are all in Cartersville, making records access convenient for in-person visits.

Nearby Cities

These cities are within driving distance of Cartersville in the north Georgia area. Each has its own police force and county-level jail system.