Find Gainesville Arrest Records
Gainesville arrest records are available from the Gainesville Police Department and the Hall County Sheriff's Office. As the county seat of Hall County in northeast Georgia, Gainesville has a population of about 48,000 residents. The city police handle arrests inside city limits, while the Hall County Sheriff patrols surrounding areas. Arrest records from both agencies are public under Georgia's Open Records Act. You can search for Gainesville arrest records through local law enforcement offices, the county jail, or the GBI's statewide criminal history database. Multiple options exist to track down the records you need.
Gainesville Quick Facts
Gainesville Police Arrest Records
The Gainesville Police Department is at 701 Queen City Parkway, Gainesville, GA 30501. Call 770-534-5252 for non-emergency questions. Officers patrol the city and arrest people for crimes that range from misdemeanors to felonies. Every arrest creates a booking record that stays in the department's files. Gainesville is the biggest city in Hall County, so the police department handles a good share of arrests in the area.
To get arrest records from the Gainesville Police Department, call or visit the station during business hours. You will need the full name and date of birth of the person you are looking for. Staff can pull records from recent cases as well as older ones. Bring a photo ID if you go in person. Written requests by mail are also accepted if you prefer not to visit the station.
The Gainesville city website has police department contact details and public safety information.
The site lists ways to reach the police department for arrest record requests and other services in Gainesville.
| Department | Gainesville Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 701 Queen City Pkwy, Gainesville, GA 30501 |
| Phone | 770-534-5252 |
| Website | gainesville.org |
Hall County Records for Gainesville
Gainesville is the county seat of Hall County. The Hall County Sheriff's Office at 2859 Browns Bridge Road manages the county jail and handles bookings for the area. When Gainesville police arrest someone, the person may be booked into the Hall County Jail. The county keeps its own booking record separate from what the city police department has on file.
Hall County has about 203,000 people. The sheriff's office is busy and processes a high volume of arrests. Records from the county cover Gainesville as well as all the smaller towns and unincorporated areas in Hall County. If you are trying to find an arrest record from the Gainesville area and the city police department does not have it, the county sheriff's office is the next place to check. Call the Hall County Sheriff at 770-531-6900 for arrest record questions.
Note: The Hall County Sheriff also handles arrests in areas just outside Gainesville city limits that share the same zip code.
Georgia Criminal History for Gainesville
The Georgia Crime Information Center stores arrest records from all 159 Georgia counties. Arrests from Gainesville go into this statewide system. The GCIC runs under the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and connects law enforcement through the Criminal Justice Information System. More than 600 agencies report data to GCIC each month, including the Gainesville Police Department and the Hall County Sheriff.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you can inspect your own criminal history record for up to $15. This shows arrests from Gainesville and everywhere else in the state. Errors can be challenged within 60 days. Visit the GBI website to learn more about the criminal history check process.
Arrest Record Laws for Gainesville
Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 gives the public access to arrest records. Initial reports must be released. This covers records at the Gainesville Police Department. Pending investigations may be exempt, but the first report is always public. Fines for violations start at $1,000.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, requesting criminal history records under false pretenses brings fines up to $5,000 and up to two years in prison. Record restriction is also part of the law. If a Gainesville arrest ended in a dismissal or nolle prosequi, that charge can be sealed from public view. Only criminal justice agencies can see restricted records. Guilty results can never be restricted. The GDC offender search covers people in state prison after a Gainesville arrest, but not those still at the Hall County Jail.
Gainesville Felony Search
The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per check. It only covers felony convictions. Misdemeanor arrests from Gainesville will not show. You need a first name, last name, date of birth, and sex. Sealed and restricted records do not appear in this tool.
The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory lists all county sheriffs. Use it to find the Hall County Sheriff for arrest record questions about Gainesville and the surrounding area.
Hall County Arrest Records
Gainesville is in Hall County. The county jail, sheriff records, and booking data all cover the Gainesville area. For full details on the county system and related resources, check the Hall County arrest records page.