Canton Criminal Court Records Search

Criminal court records in Canton are split between the city's Municipal Court and the Cherokee County Superior Court. The Canton Municipal Court handles traffic citations, city ordinance violations, and misdemeanor offenses that happen within city limits. Felony charges and more serious criminal matters go through Cherokee County. Canton is the county seat of Cherokee County and falls within the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit. The Municipal Court sits at 151 Elizabeth Street. Both courts make case records available to the public under Georgia's open records laws.

Canton Municipal Court Records

The Canton Municipal Court is where most low-level criminal cases in the city end up. It has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and violations of city code. If you were cited or arrested in Canton for a minor offense, this court has your file. Felonies are not heard here. Those go to Cherokee County.

Walk-in requests are taken during business hours. The court clerk can look up your case by name or case number. You need a photo ID to get copies. Under Georgia law, copies cost $0.10 per page. The first 15 minutes of search time are free. Staff can usually pull a file while you wait if they are not busy with other court business.

Canton has grown fast in the last ten years. That means more cases flow through the Municipal Court now than in the past. The court handles everything from speeding tickets to shoplifting charges to noise complaints. Case volume is higher than what you might expect for a city this size.

Note: Canton Municipal Court shares the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit with several other Cherokee County cities.

Cherokee County Criminal Court

Felony criminal cases from Canton are filed in the Cherokee County Superior Court. This covers drug charges, violent crimes, burglary, and other serious offenses. The Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit covers Cherokee County along with Fannin and Gilmer counties. The Cherokee County Clerk of Superior Court keeps these records at the courthouse in Canton.

Since Canton is the county seat, the courthouse is close to the Municipal Court. Cherokee County also has a State Court that handles misdemeanor cases and DUIs under state law. The State Court works alongside the Municipal Court but covers a wider range of cases. Both courts keep records open to the public.

The GSCCCA indexes court filings from all 159 Georgia counties. You can search Cherokee County records through this tool online. A standard account costs $14.95 per month. The premium plan runs $29.95 per month and gives you more search options. The GSCCCA also runs the free FANS alert system that lets you track new filings by name across any county.

The statewide E-Access to Court Records portal also covers Canton cases. It pulls data from courts across the state, including Cherokee County. You need a free account to use it. The system shows case status, charges, hearing dates, and judge assignments.

How to Search Canton Records

Several options exist for finding criminal court records in Canton. The right one depends on what you need and how quickly you need it.

Online searching is the fastest way. Start with the GSCCCA or E-Access portal. Both pull from Cherokee County court data. The GSCCCA costs money but also gives you access to property records and liens. E-Access is free once you make an account. You can search by name, case number, or date range on both systems.

To search in person, go to the Canton Municipal Court at 151 Elizabeth Street or the Cherokee County Courthouse. Bring the full name and date of birth of the person you need records for. Having a case number speeds things up a lot. The clerk staff at both locations can pull records while you wait.

For your own criminal history, get a Purpose Code U report through the Canton Police Department or the Cherokee County Sheriff. This pulls data from the Georgia Crime Information Center and shows your arrest records, charges, and outcomes statewide. You must give your name, date of birth, and fingerprints. The GBI website explains how to do this step by step.

Note: Copy fees under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71 are $0.10 per page, and search time is free for the first 15 minutes at any public office in Georgia.

Canton Criminal Record Restrictions

Georgia lets some criminal records be restricted from public view. This process used to be called expungement but now goes by the name "record restriction." Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you may qualify to restrict records in these situations:

• Arrests that did not end in a conviction
• Charges that were dismissed or not prosecuted
• Some misdemeanor convictions after four years
• Cases on a dead docket for more than 12 months

The lifetime limit is two misdemeanor restrictions. Felonies have tighter rules. For arrests in Canton on or after July 1, 2013, contact the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit District Attorney to begin. For older arrests, go through the Canton Police Department. The processing fee can be up to $50.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, the Georgia Open Records Act says all public agencies must release records unless an exemption applies. Once a court grants a restriction, that record becomes exempt. The GBI can answer questions about the process at (404) 244-2639.

State Resources for Canton

The GBI runs the state criminal history database. You can call their Criminal History Records Helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3 for questions about your own record. Their Open Records Unit accepts requests only through the online portal. They stopped taking email requests in late 2023.

Canton residents can also contact the Cherokee County Sheriff for local record checks. The sheriff's office works with the GCIC system and can run checks for people who come in with proper ID. Fees apply for these checks. Processing times vary based on workload at the office.

Nearby Cities

These cities near Canton also have criminal court records resources. Each city runs its own municipal court for local offenses, but felony cases go through the county where the offense took place.