Carrollton Criminal Court Records Search

Criminal court records in Carrollton are managed at both the city and county level. The Carrollton Municipal Court handles traffic tickets, code violations, and misdemeanor offenses that occur inside city limits. Felony cases and more serious criminal matters go to the Carroll County Superior Court, which is part of the Coweta Judicial Circuit. Carrollton is the county seat of Carroll County, so both courts sit in the same town. The municipal court office is on West Center Street. The Carroll County Courthouse is just a short walk away. Public access to these records is protected under the Georgia Open Records Act, found at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70.

Carrollton Municipal Court Records

The Carrollton Municipal Court processes cases for offenses that happen within the city. This includes speeding tickets, DUI charges, shoplifting, disorderly conduct, and other misdemeanor crimes. The court also handles city ordinance violations like noise complaints and property code issues.

The court office sits at 115 W. Center Street in downtown Carrollton. You can call (770) 830-5990 to ask about a case. Walk-in visits are taken during regular hours. The clerk can look up your case by name or by citation number. If you need paper copies, bring a valid photo ID. Copy fees follow state law at $0.10 per page.

Carrollton is a college town. The University of West Georgia brings a large student population. This means the municipal court sees a steady flow of cases tied to the student community. Traffic violations and minor criminal charges make up a big chunk of the court docket.

Note: The municipal court does not handle felony charges, which are filed in Carroll County Superior Court instead.

Carroll County Criminal Records

Felony cases from Carrollton go to the Carroll County Superior Court. This court is part of the Coweta Judicial Circuit, which also covers Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, and Troup counties. Drug trafficking, armed robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, and murder cases all get filed in superior court. The Carroll County Clerk of Superior Court keeps these records at the courthouse in Carrollton.

Since Carrollton is the county seat, the courthouse is right in town. You can walk in and ask to see criminal case files during business hours. The clerk staff can pull up records by defendant name or case number. Online access is available through the county clerk's website. The system shows case status, charges, court dates, and disposition info.

The Carroll County Magistrate Court handles warrant applications, bond hearings, and preliminary hearings for felony arrests. If someone was arrested in Carrollton, the magistrate court may have the initial case file before it moves to superior court. You can check both courts if you need the full picture of a criminal case.

Search Carrollton Criminal Records

You have several options for finding criminal court records in Carrollton. The best tool depends on the type of record and how old the case is.

The GSCCCA website indexes filings from all 159 Georgia counties. Carroll County records are in the system. A basic subscription runs $14.95 per month. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. The database goes back years. It covers real estate filings, court records, and more.

The FANS system is free. It sends you alerts when new court filings show up under a name you pick. You can track filings across any Georgia county. Set up an account and add the names you want to watch. The system checks daily and sends email alerts.

The statewide E-Access portal is another option. It pulls case data from courts across the state, including Carroll County. You need a free account to use it. The system shows case details, parties, and court dates.

For in-person searches, you can visit the municipal court on West Center Street or the Carroll County Courthouse. Bring the full name and date of birth of the person. A case number makes the search faster. The clerk staff at both locations can help you find what you need.

• Search GSCCCA for Carroll County court filings online
• Use FANS alerts for free filing notifications
• Check E-Access for statewide court records
• Visit the municipal court for city-level cases
• Go to the Carroll County Courthouse for felony records

Record Restriction in Carrollton

Georgia law allows certain criminal records to be restricted from public access. This used to be called expungement but the state now uses the term "record restriction." Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you may qualify if your arrest did not result in a conviction, if you have a misdemeanor conviction that is at least four years old, or if a case sat on the dead docket for over 12 months.

There is a lifetime limit of two misdemeanor restrictions. Agencies may charge up to $50 per request to handle the paperwork. For Carrollton arrests, contact the Carroll County District Attorney to begin the process. The Carrollton Police Department may also need to process the request on their end.

The whole thing takes time. Most people wait weeks or even months for a final answer. Once a record is restricted, it no longer shows up in public searches. Law enforcement and certain state agencies can still see it, though. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, restricted records are exempt from open records requests.

Note: The restriction process is separate from pardons, which go through the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles.

State Resources for Carrollton

The GBI runs the state criminal history database for Georgia. You can reach the Criminal History Records Helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3. If you need your own criminal history, ask about a Purpose Code U report. You will need to get fingerprinted at a local law enforcement office first.

The GBI Open Records Unit takes requests through their online portal. They stopped accepting email requests. Submit your request online and wait for a response. They will tell you if a fee applies.

Legal aid options exist for Carroll County residents who cannot afford a lawyer. The Georgia Legal Services Program serves the Carrollton area. The Carroll County Public Defender's office represents defendants who qualify based on their income. Both offices can help with criminal record matters.

Nearby Cities

These cities near Carrollton also have their own municipal courts and criminal records. Felony cases from each city go through the county court where the offense took place.