Search Dawson County Arrest Records

Dawson County arrest records are maintained by the sheriff's office in Dawsonville, Georgia. This north Georgia county has about 27,000 residents and sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Sheriff Jeff Johnson manages all bookings, jail operations, and criminal records access. Arrest records from Dawson County are public under state law. You can find them through the sheriff's office, state criminal history databases, or by filing an open records request. This page covers every available method for getting Dawson County arrest records.

Dawson County Sheriff's Office Records

Sheriff Jeff Johnson runs the Dawson County Sheriff's Office at 19 Tucker Avenue, Dawsonville, GA 30534. This office is the main source for arrest records in Dawson County. Every jail booking creates a record with the arrested person's name, charges, date, and personal details. Those records stay on file at the office and get sent to the state system through the GCIC network.

Call 706-344-3535 to ask about a Dawson County arrest record or to check on a current jail inmate. Walk-in visits work during business hours with a valid photo ID. Staff search by name or booking date. Written requests are best for copies of full arrest reports. Include the person's name, date of birth, and any other details. Dawson County has been growing as part of the north Georgia corridor, so the office handles more bookings now than it did in past years.

Dawson County sits in the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit along with Fannin and Gilmer counties. Felony cases that begin with an arrest in Dawson County move through the Superior Court in Dawsonville.

Georgia Databases for Dawson County Arrests

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation operates the statewide criminal history database. Dawson County arrest records feed into this system. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you can inspect your own criminal history for up to $15. This would show all Dawson County arrests on file. You get 60 days to challenge errors.

The GBI site connects to criminal history services, the sex offender registry, and crime statistics. The criminal history FAQ explains how to request records. Start with the Dawson County Sheriff's Office for local records. The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 and only covers felony convictions. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, requesting records under false pretenses can bring a fine up to $5,000.

Note: The GBI's GAPS fingerprinting service provides the most accurate way to verify a Dawson County arrest record.

Dawson County Offender Lookup

The GDC Find Offender page covers inmates in state prison after a Dawson County arrest. Search by name or GDC ID number. Photos show when on file.

The GDC Offender Query form provides a direct database search. GDC does not guarantee accuracy. Verify by writing to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029. This applies to anyone originally arrested in Dawson County who ended up in a state facility.

Dawson County Open Records Requests

Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 gives the public access to government records. Dawson County arrest reports are covered by this law. Initial arrest reports are not exempt from disclosure. Submit a written request to the sheriff's office for copies.

The office must respond within three business days. Copy fees may apply. Be specific about the records you need. Include the name and date range. Violations of the Open Records Act can bring fines up to $1,000 for the first offense and up to $2,500 for repeat violations within 12 months.

Record Restriction in Dawson County

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, some Dawson County arrest records can be restricted. Dismissed charges, no bills, and dead docket cases qualify. Restricted records are only visible to criminal justice agencies. The public cannot see them.

For arrests before July 1, 2013, apply through the Dawson County Sheriff's Office with a fee up to $50. Later arrests go through the prosecutor. Guilty dispositions cannot be restricted. The GCIC handles the actual restriction. The Sheriffs by County directory lists contact info for Sheriff Jeff Johnson and all other Georgia sheriffs.

Note: Once restricted, a Dawson County arrest record will not appear in any public search tool.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Dawson County in north Georgia. Arrest records stay in the county where the booking took place.