Search Chattooga County Criminal Records

Chattooga County criminal court records are on file with the Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse in Summerville. This northwest Georgia county is part of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, which also includes Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties. You can search for criminal case files by going to the clerk office on Commerce Street or by using statewide online databases. The clerk staff handles requests for case copies, court date lookups, and docket info. Chattooga County processes felony and misdemeanor cases through its Superior Court and State Court systems. Walk-ins are welcome during regular business hours, and most simple requests can be handled the same day.

Chattooga County Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Superior Court manages all criminal court records in Chattooga County. The clerk office is at 10035 Commerce Street in Summerville. Call (706) 857-0706 to ask about a case or check on a filing. This is the one courthouse in the county where all felony and misdemeanor records are stored. Staff can search by name or case number and make copies for you. The office is open Monday through Friday. Bring a photo ID when you visit in person for criminal records.

The GSCCCA page for Chattooga County has the clerk contact details and links to the statewide filing index.

This page shows the Chattooga County clerk's phone number, address, and links to search tools that include the county's records.

Note: The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney's office in Lafayette prosecutes felony cases for Chattooga County.

How to Search Chattooga County Criminal Records

There are a few paths to search for criminal court records in Chattooga County. The fastest is to call or visit the clerk office in Summerville. Tell them who you are looking for or give them a case number. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, criminal court records in Georgia are public. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The clerk has to respond within three business days. Copy fees are $0.10 per page, and the first 15 minutes of search time are free under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. Most basic requests in Chattooga County take well under 15 minutes.

You can also mail a written request to the clerk at 10035 Commerce Street, Summerville, GA 30747. Give as much detail as you can. The full name, date of birth, and case number all help the clerk find what you need faster. Chattooga County is a mid-size county, and the staff knows the local docket. If you are not sure whether a case was filed here, the clerk can usually tell you based on the details you provide.

To search Chattooga County criminal records, you will need:

• Full name of the person you are looking for
• Date of birth or age if you know it
• Case number if available
• Type of charge (felony or misdemeanor)

Chattooga County Criminal Case Types

Chattooga County Superior Court handles felony cases. These include drug charges, violent crimes, burglary, and other serious offenses. The State Court takes misdemeanors like simple assault, DUI, and minor drug offenses. Magistrate Court handles preliminary hearings, warrants, and bond settings. All three courts create records that the Chattooga County Clerk keeps on file. The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit covers four counties, so the District Attorney and judges rotate between courthouses in the circuit.

Criminal cases in Chattooga County follow the same process as the rest of Georgia. An arrest leads to charges. The case moves through the court system. Each step creates records. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, some records stay out of public view during active investigations. Once the case ends, most records open up. Pending cases have limits on what you can see, but basic docket info and court dates are usually available even while a case is still open.

Chattooga County Criminal Records Online

Chattooga County does not have its own online court records portal. For online access, use the statewide tools that cover all Georgia counties. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority indexes filings from all 159 counties. GSCCCA focuses on real estate and lien records, but it can help you find the right clerk for criminal data in Chattooga County. A regular account costs $14.95 per month. Premium runs $29.95 per month. The E-Access to Court Records portal is another good option. You need an account, and it pulls data from courts across the state.

To get your own criminal history, visit the Chattooga County Sheriff's Office and ask for a Purpose Code U report. That is the standard way to get your Georgia criminal record for personal use. The GBI Criminal History page explains the full process, including how to get records that cover Chattooga County cases. Call the GBI helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3 for help with questions about your record.

Criminal Record Restriction in Chattooga County

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, some criminal records in Georgia can be restricted from public view. Record restriction used to be called expungement. The records still exist, but public searches will not show them. Law enforcement and judges retain access. In Chattooga County, arrests that did not result in a conviction may qualify. Certain misdemeanor convictions are eligible after four years. For arrests on or after July 1, 2013, start the process through the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney. For older arrests, contact the arresting agency.

Agencies can charge up to $50 to handle a restriction request. The process takes from two weeks to 90 days. Georgia limits each person to two misdemeanor conviction restrictions. Serious violent felonies and sexual offenses are never eligible. Time-expired restrictions may happen on their own if the Georgia Crime Information Center does not get a final disposition within the set time frames: two years for misdemeanors, four years for felonies, and seven years for serious violent felonies.

Note: The GBI Open Records Unit no longer takes requests by email, so use their online portal or mail to P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, GA 30037-0808.

Cities in Chattooga County

All criminal cases from cities and towns in Chattooga County go through the Superior Court or State Court in Summerville. The courthouse on Commerce Street handles felony and misdemeanor filings from across the county.

Cities and towns in Chattooga County include Summerville, Trion, Lyerly, and Menlo. Criminal cases from all of these areas are processed through the Chattooga County court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Chattooga County. If you are not sure which county handles a criminal case, check the address where the arrest took place. Criminal cases must be filed in the county where the alleged crime occurred.