Find Cherokee County Arrest Records

Cherokee County arrest records are kept by the sheriff's office in Canton, Georgia. This fast-growing Atlanta suburb has about 266,000 residents, making it one of the larger counties in the metro area. Sheriff Frank Reynolds manages all bookings, jail operations, and records requests. Cherokee County arrest records are public under state law, and you can access them through the sheriff's office, state databases, or an open records request. Here is a full guide to every resource available for finding arrest records in Cherokee County.

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Records

Sheriff Frank Reynolds leads the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office at 498 Chattin Drive, Canton, GA 30115. This is the main source for arrest records in Cherokee County. The office handles all jail bookings. Every arrest creates a record with the person's name, charges, booking time, and personal details. That record goes into the local system and gets reported to the state through the GCIC network.

Call 678-493-4200 to ask about a Cherokee County arrest record or check on someone in the detention center. Walk-in visits are accepted during business hours with a valid photo ID. Staff can search by name, date of birth, or booking date. Written requests work best for copies of full arrest reports. Cherokee County is a busy office because of the large population and steady growth in the area. Response times may vary depending on how many requests are in the queue.

Cherokee County sits in the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit. Felony cases that start with an arrest here move through the Superior Court system in Canton. The sheriff's office also handles warrants, civil papers, and courthouse security for Cherokee County.

Note: Cherokee County's growth means the jail processes more bookings each year than it did a decade ago.

State Databases for Cherokee County Arrests

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the central criminal history database for the state. Cherokee County arrest records flow into this system through the GCIC. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you can request your own criminal history record for a fee of up to $15. If you find errors, you have 60 days to challenge them.

The GBI site is the starting point for state-level arrest record searches. The criminal history FAQ covers the full process. Start with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office for local requests. The GCIC lobby office in Decatur handles in-person requests, but only by appointment at (404) 244-2639. The GAPS fingerprinting service is the most accurate way to verify a Cherokee County arrest record.

The Georgia Felon Search is a name-based tool that costs $15 per search. It only shows felony convictions. Cherokee County misdemeanor arrests will not appear. You pay even if no record is found.

Cherokee County Inmate Records

The Georgia Department of Corrections tracks inmates in state prison. If a Cherokee County arrest led to a prison sentence, the person will be in the GDC system. Use the GDC Find Offender page to search by name or GDC ID.

The query form provides a direct way to look up offenders from Cherokee County. GDC shows current facility location and photos when on file. The department does not guarantee accuracy. Write to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029 to verify any information. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, getting criminal records under false pretenses is a crime with fines up to $5,000.

Cherokee County Open Records Requests

Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 gives the public the right to inspect government records. Cherokee County arrest reports are covered. Initial arrest reports are not exempt from disclosure, even during active investigations.

Submit a written open records request to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. State what you need. Include the person's name, date range, and type of record. The office must respond within three business days. Copy fees may apply. Cherokee County handles a large volume of records requests because of its population size, so plan for possible wait times on bigger requests. If you think a request was wrongly denied, you have the right to challenge the decision.

Note: Cherokee County may charge different copy fees depending on whether you need paper copies or electronic records.

Record Restriction in Cherokee County

Some Cherokee County arrest records can be restricted from public view under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. This applies to charges that were dismissed, not presented to a grand jury, or placed on a dead docket. Restricted records become invisible to the public. Only criminal justice agencies can view them.

For Cherokee County arrests before July 1, 2013, apply to the sheriff's office in writing with a fee of up to $50. Arrests after that date go through the prosecutor. Guilty dispositions are never eligible for restriction. The GCIC processes the actual sealing. If you have questions about whether a Cherokee County arrest qualifies, call 678-493-4200 or talk to a local attorney. The Georgia Sex Offender Registry is a separate database that tracks registered offenders in the Cherokee County area.

Cities in Cherokee County

Cherokee County has several growing cities. All arrest records for the county route through the sheriff's office in Canton. Local police departments make their own arrests but booking data goes into the county system.

Other communities in Cherokee County include Holly Springs, Ball Ground, Nelson, and Waleska. Arrest records from these areas are held at the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.

Nearby Counties

Cherokee County borders these counties in north Georgia. Arrest records are filed in the county where the booking took place.