Chattooga County Felony Record Search

Chattooga County felony records are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in Summerville. This northwest Georgia county has around 25,000 residents and borders Alabama to the west. Chattooga County is part of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit. The clerk files all felony court documents while the sheriff keeps arrest and booking records. You can search for records at the Summerville courthouse, call the offices directly, or use Georgia's statewide online tools.

Chattooga County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is the main source for felony records in Chattooga County. Every criminal filing goes through this office. Indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and final dispositions are stored here. The clerk keeps paper and electronic records for felony cases heard in the Chattooga County Superior Court.

The clerk's office is at 10035 Commerce Street, Summerville, GA 30747. Visit in person with a valid ID and the name of the person you want to look up. A date of birth or case number helps narrow the search. Copies cost $0.10 per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Certified copies have a higher fee. Call (706) 857-0704 for questions about Chattooga County felony records. The office accepts walk-in requests and processes mail inquiries.

Chattooga County is part of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. Judges rotate among the four counties. All Chattooga County felony records stay filed at the Summerville courthouse. The circuit serves the mountainous northwest corner of the state near Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Chattooga County Sheriff's Office

The Chattooga County Sheriff's Office manages arrest records and the county jail. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff is required to maintain records of all persons held in custody. These records list the person's name, charges, booking date, and the issuing court.

The sheriff's office is at 35 W. Washington Street, Summerville, GA 30747. Call (706) 857-3411 for inmate inquiries or arrest record requests. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, local law enforcement agencies can charge up to $20 for criminal history checks. Chattooga County is a mid-sized county, so record requests are usually processed within a few business days.

The GDC Offender Query portal shown above lets you search for state inmates from Chattooga County and across Georgia for free.

Online Search Options for Chattooga County

Multiple state databases include Chattooga County felony records. These are your best bet for searching without driving to Summerville.

The GDC Offender Query is free. It covers all state prison inmates, past and present. If someone convicted in Chattooga County received a prison sentence, they will show up here. Search by name, GDC ID, or physical description. Results show charges, sentence length, assigned facility, and release dates.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per name. It searches the GCIC database for all felony convictions in Georgia. You need the person's full name, date of birth, and sex. Results are returned instantly. A "no record found" still costs $15. O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35 authorizes release of this data without fingerprint comparison. For Chattooga County, this is the most thorough paid search tool.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority links all county clerk offices statewide. Chattooga County participates in this shared platform for case management. You can search real estate records, liens, and some court filings through the GSCCCA website.

Record Access and Restrictions

Felony records in Chattooga County are public. Court filings, arrest records, and booking data are accessible under the Georgia Open Records Act. Agencies have three business days to respond to valid requests.

O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 allows some arrest records to be restricted when the case was not prosecuted. For arrests after July 1, 2013, the local district attorney handles restriction requests. Restricted records are hidden from public view but remain in law enforcement databases.

First-time offenders can seal records under the First Offender Act, O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1, after completing their sentence. Violent felonies carry a longer waiting period. Felony convictions generally remain public in Chattooga County.

State Resources for Chattooga County

The Georgia Crime Information Center collects criminal history data from all 159 Georgia counties. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, GCIC must maintain complete records. Request a background check through the Chattooga County Sheriff or GCIC.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles manages parole data for offenders convicted in Chattooga County. The GSCCCA provides technology support and data sharing for the clerk's office.

State databases sometimes lag behind recent filings at the Chattooga County Superior Court. For the most current records, contact the clerk in Summerville directly.

Cities in Chattooga County

Chattooga County includes Summerville, Trion, and several smaller communities. No cities in the county meet the population threshold for a separate city page. All felony cases are processed at the Chattooga County Superior Court in Summerville.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Chattooga County. Each has its own courthouse and felony record system.