Search Atlanta Felony Records
Atlanta felony records are held at the Fulton County Superior Court. The city sits in both Fulton and DeKalb counties, but most felony cases go through the Fulton County court system. With over 520,000 residents, Atlanta has the largest volume of felony filings in the state. The Atlanta Police Department makes arrests, and the Fulton County District Attorney handles felony prosecution. You can search for felony case records using state tools like the Georgia Felon Search or by going to the clerk office at the Fulton County courthouse. The City of Atlanta also runs its own Department of Corrections for short-term holds before cases move to the county level.
Atlanta Quick Facts
Fulton County Handles Atlanta Felony Cases
All felony cases in Atlanta are prosecuted at the county level. The Fulton County Superior Court is the main court for felony trials. City police arrest suspects, but the case file moves to the Fulton County District Attorney for charges. The Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court keeps all felony case records, and that is where you go to get copies or search for case files tied to Atlanta arrests.
The Fulton County courthouse is at 136 Pryor Street SW in downtown Atlanta. The clerk office handles requests for case documents, certified copies, and record searches. You can reach the Fulton County Clerk at (404) 613-5313. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Since Atlanta spans two counties, a small number of felony cases on the east side may go through DeKalb County instead. Check which county the arrest took place in to find the right court records. For full details on the county court system, visit the Fulton County felony records page.
Atlanta Police Department Records
The Atlanta Police Department is at 226 Peachtree Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Call (404) 546-5700 for general questions. The police department takes arrest reports and holds booking data for people picked up on felony charges in the city. After an arrest, the case goes to the county for prosecution.
Atlanta also has its own Department of Corrections at 254 Peachtree Street SW. The city jail holds people for short stays before they transfer to the Fulton County Jail or are released on bond. You can call the City of Atlanta Department of Corrections at (404) 865-8001 for inmate questions. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office at 404-613-2080 handles longer holds and can give you jail roster data for people held on felony charges in the Atlanta area.
Note: Atlanta police arrest reports are separate from felony court records held at the Fulton County courthouse.
How to Search Atlanta Felony Records
There are a few ways to look up felony records tied to Atlanta. The fastest way is the Georgia Felon Search tool run by the Georgia Technology Authority. This lets you check if someone has a felony conviction in Georgia. Each search costs $15 and results come back right away. You need the person's first name, last name, date of birth, and sex. Under O.C.G.A. 35-3-34, felony conviction data can be released to the public without the person's consent.
The Georgia Department of Corrections runs a free offender search tool. This shows people who are or were in state prison. You can search by name or GDC ID number. The results show the person's charges, sentence, facility, and possible release date. This is good for finding Atlanta felony cases that led to prison time. The GDC manages about 51,000 inmates across 35 state facilities.
For full case records with documents and court filings, go to the Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court. You can visit in person at 136 Pryor Street SW in Atlanta. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority also has a statewide search tool. Each county clerk maintains its own felony case files, so you can find Atlanta cases through the Fulton County records there.
You can also get a criminal history record from most sheriff's offices or police departments. The GBI FAQ page says you can contact your local law enforcement agency for a copy of your Georgia criminal history. The GBI criminal history FAQ walks you through the steps. Fees for a local criminal history check are around $15 but vary by agency.
Atlanta Municipal Court
The Atlanta Municipal Court is at 150 Garnett Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Call (404) 658-6900 for case questions. This court handles city ordinance cases and some misdemeanors. It does not handle felony cases. All felony charges in Atlanta go to the Fulton County Superior Court instead.
Sometimes a case starts at the municipal level and gets bound over to Superior Court for felony prosecution. If that happens, the case record moves to the county system. The municipal court may still have early records from the arrest or first hearing. But the full felony case file will be at the Fulton County level. Under O.C.G.A. 35-3-37, some records may be restricted after certain time periods. For felonies that are not serious violent offenses, records can be restricted four years after the arrest date if no prosecution happened.
Georgia State Resources for Atlanta Felony Records
Several state agencies keep felony records that may relate to Atlanta cases. The Georgia Crime Information Center is the central repository for all criminal history in the state. GCIC is part of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. You can request records by calling 404-244-2639 or by going to the GCIC lobby by appointment at 3121 Panthersville Road, Decatur, GA 30034.
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles keeps records on parolees and pardon applications. If someone was convicted of a felony in Atlanta and later paroled, this agency has that data. Call (404) 656-4661 for questions. Under O.C.G.A. 42-8-62.1, the First Offender Act lets some people avoid a conviction on their record if they complete probation. These records may be sealed and not show up in a standard search.
- Georgia Felon Search: $15 per name-based search for felony convictions
- GDC Offender Search: Free, shows current and past state inmates
- GCIC Criminal History: About $15, available through local law enforcement
- Open Records Requests: The GBI has an online portal at gbigeorgia.govqa.us
The Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. 50-18-70, gives you the right to request government records. Agencies must respond within three business days. Copy fees are $0.10 per page. If the request is unusual, extra search fees may apply. There are civil penalties for agencies that refuse valid requests.
Legal Help in Atlanta
Atlanta has many legal aid groups. The Georgia Legal Services Program helps people with low income who need legal advice. They can be reached at (404) 206-5175 or through their website at glsp.org. The Atlanta Legal Aid Society is another option for free legal help in Fulton County. If you need to hire a private lawyer, the State Bar of Georgia runs a referral service at 1-800-334-6865.
For people who need help understanding their own felony record, the GCIC can explain what is on a criminal history report. Call 404-244-2639 and press option 5 for help reading a rap sheet. Hours for that line are 9 AM to 2 PM, Monday through Friday. You can also email gacriminalhistory@gbi.ga.gov with questions about your record.
Fulton County Felony Records
Atlanta is in Fulton County, and all felony cases go through the Fulton County Superior Court. The county court system handles cases for Atlanta and dozens of other cities. For the full county court details, fee lists, and all related felony record resources, visit the Fulton County page.