Paulding County Arrest Records

Paulding County arrest records are kept at the sheriff's office in Dallas, Georgia. This is one of the fastest-growing counties in the Atlanta metro area, with a population of about 168,000 residents. Sheriff Ashley Henson manages all bookings and jail operations for Paulding County. The office processes arrest data, stores criminal records, and works with the state to keep files up to date. You can search for arrest records by calling the office, visiting in person, or using Georgia state databases that pull from Paulding County law enforcement systems.

Paulding County Sheriff's Office Records

Sheriff Ashley Henson heads the Paulding County Sheriff's Office at 180 Constitution Blvd, Dallas, GA 30132. This office is the main source for arrest records in the county. Staff book inmates, run the jail, and handle records requests from the public. Paulding County has grown fast over the past two decades. That growth has meant more people, more calls, and more arrests passing through the sheriff's system each year.

Call 770-443-3010 to ask about an arrest record in Paulding County. You can also walk in during regular hours. Have your ID ready and bring any info you have about the person or the date of arrest. The staff can search by name or booking number and print copies of arrest reports on the spot. For older Paulding County records, you may need to submit a written request. The office deals with a high volume of records, so give them a few days to process your request if the file needs to be pulled from storage.

Note: Paulding County is part of the Paulding Judicial Circuit, which also handles court proceedings that stem from arrests in the county.

State Databases for Paulding County Arrests

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs a central criminal history system. Paulding County arrest records are part of this database through reports from local agencies. The Georgia Crime Information Center collects and processes this data. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you can request your own criminal history for up to $15. That record would include any Paulding County arrests on file with the state. If you find an error, you have 60 days to file a challenge.

The Georgia Felon Search is a $15 tool for checking felony convictions statewide. It does not show misdemeanor arrests from Paulding County or any other county. You need the person's name, date of birth, and sex to use it. Results are name-based, so only a fingerprint check can confirm an exact match. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, getting criminal history data under false pretenses can bring a fine of up to $5,000 and up to two years in jail.

Paulding County Offender and Inmate Search

When someone arrested in Paulding County goes to state prison, the Georgia Department of Corrections tracks them in its system. The GDC Find Offender page lets you search by name or GDC ID number. The results show the inmate's current facility, photo, and basic case data. You must accept a disclaimer before using the tool.

The GDC Offender Query form gives you a more direct path into the database. GDC makes clear that data may not be fully current or complete. For verified details about a Paulding County arrest that led to a state sentence, write to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029. That written route is the only way to get a confirmed answer from the department about an inmate's status.

Paulding County Open Records Requests

Under the Georgia Open Records Act, most government records are available to the public. That includes arrest records at the Paulding County Sheriff's Office. Initial arrest reports and booking data are not exempt from this law. Anyone can request copies regardless of the reason.

Put your request in writing. Include the person's name, arrest date, or case number if you have it. The Paulding County office must respond within three business days. They may charge a fee for copies and staff time. Records linked to an active investigation can be held back temporarily, but the initial arrest report is always accessible. If the office denies your request without proper reason, you have the right to challenge the decision. Fines for Open Records Act violations run up to $1,000 for a first offense in Paulding County.

Arrest Record Restriction in Paulding County

Certain Paulding County arrest records can be restricted from public access. Charges that were dismissed, placed on a dead docket, or not sent to a grand jury may qualify. Once restricted, only courts and law enforcement can view the record.

For pre-2013 arrests, write to the Paulding County Sheriff's Office with a fee of up to $50. Post-2013 arrests go through the prosecutor. Guilty pleas and convictions never qualify for restriction in Georgia. The GCIC processes the restriction once it is approved. Call 770-443-3010 to ask about the process for a specific Paulding County arrest record. The staff can walk you through the steps based on your situation.

Note: Even after restriction, the record still exists in the criminal justice system and can be accessed by law enforcement for future investigations.

Criminal Registries for Paulding County

State registries may include individuals first arrested in Paulding County. The Georgia Sex Offender Registry is a free tool that shows names, photos, addresses, and offense details for registered offenders. Search by name or by location to check the Dallas and Paulding County area for listed individuals.

The Georgia Sheriffs by County directory lists Sheriff Ashley Henson and all 159 Georgia sheriffs. Use this to get contact info for the Paulding County office or any nearby county sheriff when you need to track down arrest records across jurisdictions.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Paulding County. If an arrest happened near the county line, check the booking location to find the right office. Each county maintains its own arrest records.