Whitfield County Felony Records

Felony records in Whitfield County are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in Dalton. Whitfield County is in northwest Georgia with a population of about 105,000, making it one of the larger counties in the region. The clerk handles all criminal case filings from the Superior Court, including indictments through final dispositions. The sheriff manages arrest records and runs the county jail. You can search felony records at the Dalton courthouse, by mail, or through several statewide online databases.

Whitfield County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is the primary custodian of felony records in Whitfield County. All criminal cases heard in the Whitfield County Superior Court are filed here. Grand jury indictments, arraignment records, plea agreements, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and appeals are all stored through this office.

Visit the clerk at 205 N. Selvidge Street, Dalton, GA 30720. Bring a valid photo ID and the full name of the person you are searching. A date of birth or case number helps the staff locate files quickly. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, the clerk must provide access to public records within three business days. Copies cost $0.10 per page. Certified copies are more expensive. Call (706) 275-7450 for questions about felony case records.

Whitfield County processes a significant volume of felony cases given its population. The Conasauga Judicial Circuit covers Whitfield and Murray counties. The clerk's office handles both current case files and archived records, and staff can help with searching older cases that may not be immediately available.

Whitfield County Sheriff's Office

The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office handles arrest records and jail operations. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff must maintain records of everyone booked into the Whitfield County Jail. These records list the name, charges, arrest date, bond amount, and court assignment.

The sheriff's office is at 805 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720. Call (706) 278-1233 for information about recent felony arrests or to check on an inmate's status. Walk-in requests are accepted during regular hours. Criminal history checks through the sheriff cost up to $20 under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34.

The sheriff's office and clerk's office are at different locations in Dalton. Plan accordingly if you need to check both arrest records and court disposition records. The sheriff has the booking data. The clerk has the court outcome.

Online Search Tools for Whitfield County

Georgia's statewide databases include Whitfield County felony records. These online tools let you search from home.

The GDC Offender Query is free. It covers all Georgia state prison inmates, current and former. If a Whitfield County felony conviction led to a prison sentence, the offender appears here. You can search by name or GDC ID. Results show charges, sentence length, facility assignment, and potential release dates. With Whitfield's larger population, this database often has multiple results for common local names.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per lookup. It checks the GCIC database for felony convictions statewide. You need the full name, date of birth, and sex. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, fingerprints are not required. Results are instant. For Whitfield County felony searches, this paid tool gives the most thorough coverage available online. Even a "no record found" result costs $15.

The GSCCCA connects all 159 county clerk offices. Through this system, case index data from Whitfield County may be accessible. The GSCCCA is useful for multi-county searches and for verifying case numbers before requesting documents from the clerk.

The GDC Offender Query portal shown above is a free tool for searching Georgia prison inmates including those convicted in Whitfield County.

Record Access and Restrictions

Whitfield County felony records are public under the Georgia Open Records Act. Court files, arrest records, and convictions can be accessed by anyone who requests them. Agencies have three business days to respond.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, arrest records can be restricted if charges were dropped, dismissed, or ended in acquittal. For arrests after July 1, 2013, the prosecutor may handle restrictions automatically. Older records need a formal request to the arresting agency. Restricted records are hidden from public searches but still visible to law enforcement.

The First Offender Act, O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1, allows some first-time felony offenders to seal their records after completing their sentence. Serious violent felonies listed under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1 cannot be sealed. Most Whitfield County felony convictions remain permanently on the public record.

State Agency Resources

The GCIC at the GBI collects criminal history data from all 159 Georgia counties including Whitfield. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, GCIC maintains complete criminal records. You can request a check through the Whitfield County Sheriff or directly from GCIC.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles tracks parole status for offenders convicted in Whitfield County. The GBI's Open Records Request Portal accepts formal requests for criminal history information.

Fees for Whitfield County Records

Copy fees are $0.10 per page. Certified copies are about $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. Georgia Felon Search costs $15. GBI background checks cost $20. Sheriff criminal history checks run up to $20. The GDC Offender Query is free. Mail requests should include a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Cities in Whitfield County

Dalton is the county seat and the only qualifying city in Whitfield County. Felony cases from Dalton go through the Whitfield County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Whitfield County in northwest Georgia. Each has its own court system and felony records.