Criminal records of Paulding County, Georgia, are available through several channels. PauldingCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court systems, the Sheriff's Office, and the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Below is a practical guide on how to search, understand, and request criminal records in Paulding County.
How to Search Criminal Records in Paulding
There are several ways to find criminal records in the county — online, in person, or by mail.
Online Search
- PauldingCourt.us — start here to find publicly available information about county court cases.
- Search criminal cases through the Superior Court Clerk's Office — the county's Case Search page indicates that to view criminal cases, you need to visit pauldingclerkofcourt.com. If you don't have a case number, enter the last name in the name search field.
- Georgia State Courts Portal — E-Access to Court Records provides access to court records statewide. Registration is required for the search.
- Inmate Search — the Sheriff's Office provides an inmate search tool, where you can search by name, booking number, or date.
- Crime and Arrest Data — the Sheriff publishes crime and arrest statistics broken down by month.
To start a search, you usually need to know:
- The person's full name
- Case number (if available)
- Date of birth (to narrow down results)
In-Person Visit
Visit the Paulding County Superior Court Clerk's Office, which maintains civil and criminal cases. There are public terminals for searching. The State Court Clerk's Office also keeps records of cases under the jurisdiction of the State Court — primarily misdemeanors.
Mail or Written Request
Copies of incident, accident, or arrest reports can be requested by submitting an open records request to the Sheriff's Office. Detailed information is available on the Request for Public Records page. Records Division phone: (770) 443-3010.
To obtain an official Georgia criminal history, an employee or applicant can contact the Sheriff's Office, fill out a consent form, and undergo fingerprinting — this is described on the Georgia Criminal History Record page.
Search Paulding Criminal Cases by Case Number
Searching by case number is the most accurate way to find a specific criminal case.
In Georgia, court case numbers typically have the following structure:
- Year — a two or four-digit number indicating the year the case was filed
- Case Type Code — a letter designation indicating the category (e.g., CR for criminal cases in Superior Court, or letters indicating State Court)
- Sequential Number — a sequential registration number of the case within the year
Example: 2024CR000123 signifies a criminal case filed in Superior Court in 2024 with the sequential number 123. If you have the case number, enter it directly into the search field on the Clerk's website. This will yield results faster than a name search and eliminate confusion between individuals with the same last name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Paulding
The results of a criminal case search contain several key elements. Here's what each of them means in practice.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the specific section of the Georgia Criminal Code (O.C.G.A.) under which the charges are filed |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious), or Infraction (violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge — the new wording is reflected in the case record |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedures are completed, the case is closed
Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the defendant learns about the charges and states their plea (guilty / not guilty)
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough basis to proceed with the case
- Pre-Trial — parties discuss evidence, possible agreements
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review — review of probation conditions or sentence execution
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The court did not establish guilt |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict — usually at the prosecutor's initiative or due to procedural grounds |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Acquitted | Acquittal — the court or jury found the defendant not guilty after reviewing the evidence |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Paulding
Certified copies of criminal records are needed for official purposes — employment, licensing, immigration. Here's where to apply.
Court Records (Cases)
Certified copies of criminal case materials are issued by the Superior Court Clerk's Office.
Clerk of Superior Court
Contact the office in person or send a written request. You will need:
- The defendant's full name
- Case number (preferably)
- Valid photo ID
Arrest and Incident Records
Copies of arrest reports are kept by the Sheriff's Office Records Division. Submit an open records request through the Request for Public Records page.
Paulding County Sheriff's Office — Records Division
Georgia Criminal History
If you need a complete criminal history (background check), the employee must appear at the Sheriff's Office, fill out a consent form, and undergo fingerprinting. A fee is charged for each check. More details are on the Georgia Criminal History Record page.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Paulding
The amount of fees is determined according to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71) and local rates. Below are approximate amounts.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $0.10–$0.25 | According to the Georgia Open Records Act; the exact price depends on the format |
| Certification of copy | $2.50 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page | Standard rate of the Georgia Superior Court Clerk's Office (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77) |
| Background check | Check with the Sheriff's Office | Includes fingerprinting and processing through GCIC |
| Record search (upon request) | Free or minimal fee | An administrative fee may be charged for complex requests |
Processing Times
- Open records requests — under Georgia law, a response must be provided within three business days. Complex requests may take longer.
- Certified copies of court cases — usually ready within a few business days when requested in person.
- Criminal history check through GCIC — may take from a few days to several weeks depending on workload.
If you have questions about specific fees or the status of a request, call the Sheriff's Office Records Division at (770) 443-3010.