Cobb County Arrest Records

Cobb County arrest records are kept by the sheriff's office in Marietta, Georgia. With about 766,000 residents, Cobb County is one of the most populated counties in the state and a major part of the Atlanta metro area. Sheriff Craig Owens manages all jail bookings, arrest record storage, and public records requests. You can access Cobb County arrest records through the sheriff's office, state criminal history databases, or by filing an open records request under Georgia law. This page walks you through every option.

Cobb County Sheriff's Office Arrest Data

Sheriff Craig Owens leads the Cobb County Sheriff's Office at 185 Roswell Street, Marietta, GA 30090. This is the central hub for all arrest records in Cobb County. The office runs the county jail, processes all bookings, and handles records requests from the public. Every arrest in Cobb County creates a record that includes the person's name, charges filed, arrest date, and booking details. That data enters the local system and goes to the state through the GCIC network.

Call 770-499-4611 to ask about a Cobb County arrest record or get jail information. Walk-in requests are accepted during regular hours with a valid photo ID. Staff can search by name, date of birth, or booking number. For copies of full arrest reports, send a written request. Cobb County is one of the busiest sheriff's offices in Georgia because of the large population. Plan for possible wait times on complex or bulk requests.

Cobb County sits in the Cobb Judicial Circuit. Felony cases from the county go through the Superior Court in Marietta. The Cobb County Police Department also makes arrests that get processed through the county jail. Multiple law enforcement agencies operate in the area, so arrest records in Cobb County can come from the sheriff, the county police, or municipal departments in cities like Marietta, Smyrna, and Kennesaw.

Note: Cobb County's jail handles one of the highest booking volumes in the state due to the county's population and multiple law enforcement agencies.

Georgia Databases for Cobb County Arrests

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation keeps the statewide criminal history database. Cobb County arrest records flow into this system through the GCIC. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you have the right to inspect your own criminal history for up to $15. If you find errors in a Cobb County arrest record, you get 60 days to challenge them.

The GBI site is the starting point for state-level searches. The criminal history FAQ covers every step. Contact the Cobb County Sheriff's Office first for local records. The GCIC lobby in Decatur handles in-person state-level requests by appointment at (404) 244-2639. The GAPS fingerprinting service offers the most accurate verification of Cobb County arrest records.

For felony conviction checks, the Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per query. It returns only felony convictions. Cobb County misdemeanor arrests do not appear in this tool. You pay even if no match is found.

Cobb County Inmate Records

The Georgia Department of Corrections tracks inmates in state prison. If a Cobb County arrest led to a prison sentence, the offender is in the GDC system. Use the GDC Find Offender page to search by name or GDC ID. Photos show when on file.

The query form gives a direct lookup for Cobb County offenders now in state facilities. GDC does not guarantee accuracy. Write to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029 to verify. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, requesting criminal history under false pretenses is a crime with fines up to $5,000.

Cobb 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. Cobb County arrest reports are covered. Initial arrest reports cannot be withheld even during active investigations.

Submit a written request to the Cobb County Sheriff's Office. Include the person's name, date range, and type of record you need. The office must respond within three business days. Copy fees may apply. Cobb County handles a high volume of records requests because of its large population, so bigger requests may take more time. If you think a request was wrongly denied, you have the right to challenge it under the law. First-time violations carry a fine up to $1,000.

Note: Cobb County may route some arrest record requests to the Cobb County Police Department if the arrest was made by county police rather than the sheriff's office.

Arrest Record Restriction in Cobb County

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, some Cobb County arrest records can be restricted from public view. Dismissed charges, no bills, nolle prosequi, and dead docket cases qualify. Restricted records become invisible to the general public. Only criminal justice agencies can access them.

For Cobb County arrests before July 1, 2013, apply to the sheriff's office in writing with a fee up to $50. Later arrests go through the Cobb County prosecutor. Guilty dispositions are never eligible. The GCIC processes the actual restriction. The Georgia Sex Offender Registry is a separate database that tracks registered offenders in Cobb County and across the state.

Cities in Cobb County

Cobb County has several cities with their own police departments. All arrest records for the county go through the sheriff's office and county jail system. Local police make arrests that feed into Cobb County booking records.

Other communities in Cobb County include Acworth, Austell, and Powder Springs. Arrest records from all areas of Cobb County are available through the sheriff's office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cobb County in the Atlanta metro area. Arrest records are filed in the county where the booking happened.