Find DeKalb County Criminal Court Records
DeKalb County criminal court records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Decatur, Georgia. The county has more than 760,000 residents and ranks as one of the most active court systems in the state. Criminal cases here go through the Superior Court, State Court, and Recorder's Court. You can search for case files in person at the clerk office on North McDonough Street. Online tools also give you access to DeKalb County criminal court records from home. The Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit serves the county, and both felony and misdemeanor cases are filed through the clerk office each year. Getting records takes just a few steps once you know where to look.
DeKalb County Quick Facts
DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk
Clerk Debra DeBerry runs the Superior Court Clerk office in DeKalb County. This office is the main source for criminal court records. All felony cases pass through here. The staff keeps case files, stores court documents, and makes copies for the public. You can visit the ground floor of the courthouse on North McDonough Street in Decatur to search records or pick up copies.
The DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk website has details on services, forms, and how to reach the right division for your needs.
The Criminal Division is run by supervisor John Bryant. He can help with questions about case files, court dates, and record status for criminal matters in DeKalb County. You can reach him at jbryant@dekalbcountyga.gov. For older records or archive pulls, call Melissa Turner at 404-687-3868 or 404-371-2250. She handles record requests that go back further than what the online tools show.
| Address | 556 North McDonough Street, Ground Floor, Decatur, GA 30030 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (404) 371-2836 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Payment | Credit cards, cash, money orders, business checks |
Searching Criminal Records in DeKalb County
There are a few ways to find criminal court records in DeKalb County. The fastest method is an online search. The county uses the Odyssey Judicial Information System, which lets you look up case data by name or case number from any device. This tool pulls up case type, charges, court dates, and final dispositions for criminal cases in DeKalb County. You do not need to sign up or pay to view basic case info through this portal.
The DeKalb County Criminal Department page has links to forms, record restriction info, and contact details for the criminal division staff.
In-person searches work too. Go to the clerk office in Decatur. Bring a valid ID. Staff can look up cases and print copies on the spot. Certified copies cost $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 for each page after that. Regular copies run $1.00 per page. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, criminal court records in Georgia are public, and anyone can ask to see them without giving a reason. The clerk must respond to your request within three business days.
Note: The first 15 minutes of search time by clerk staff is free under Georgia law.
DeKalb County State Court Records
Not all criminal cases in DeKalb County go through Superior Court. The State Court handles misdemeanor cases and some traffic offenses. Kimberly Brock serves as the State Court Clerk. Her office can be reached at (404) 371-2261 or by email at kbrock@dekalbcountyga.gov. The State Court has two main divisions. Division A covers civil and criminal matters. Division B deals with traffic cases.
The DeKalb County State Court website gives you access to court schedules, contact numbers, and case search options for misdemeanor criminal cases.
If you are not sure which court has the case you need, call the main clerk line at (404) 371-2836. They can point you to the right place. Felony cases always go to Superior Court. Misdemeanors may land in State Court or Superior Court, so it helps to check both when you search for criminal court records in DeKalb County. Traffic citations that carry criminal penalties are kept at the State Court under Division B.
Criminal Courts in DeKalb County
DeKalb County has several courts that handle criminal matters. Each one keeps its own set of records. The Superior Court takes all felony cases. State Court manages most misdemeanors. Recorder's Court deals with county ordinance violations and certain lower-level offenses. You can reach the Recorder's Court at (404) 371-3272. Probate Court, at (404) 371-2601, handles some matters that cross into criminal territory, such as involuntary commitments and certain firearms permits.
The DeKalb County Judicial System page gives an overview of how the courts are set up and which office handles which type of case.
The Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit covers DeKalb County alone. It does not share a circuit with any other county. This means all Superior Court criminal cases in the county are processed through a single circuit, which can make searches more straightforward. The District Attorney's office, reachable at (404) 371-2000, prosecutes criminal cases in both Superior Court and State Court within DeKalb County.
Under O.C.G.A. § 15-6-11, the Superior Court Clerk may offer public access to view cases and eFiled documents online. DeKalb County does provide this through the Odyssey system, and more records are added to the online portal each year.
DeKalb County Criminal Record Restriction
Some criminal records in DeKalb County can be restricted from public view. Georgia calls this "record restriction." It used to be called expungement. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain arrest and case records can be hidden from public searches while still being visible to law enforcement and the courts. The Criminal Department webpage at the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk site has more details on how to start this process.
Not every record qualifies. Cases that may be eligible for restriction in DeKalb County include:
- Arrests that did not lead to a conviction
- Certain misdemeanor convictions after a four-year wait
- Cases on a dead docket for more than 12 months
- Convictions reversed on appeal
- Trafficking victims under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-21
For arrests before July 1, 2013, apply through the arresting law enforcement agency. For arrests on or after that date, contact the DeKalb County District Attorney's office at (404) 371-2000. Agencies may charge up to $50 for the request. Georgia limits each person to two misdemeanor conviction restrictions in their lifetime, and serious violent felonies and sex offenses cannot be restricted. The Criminal Division Supervisor, John Bryant, can walk you through the steps for restriction requests in DeKalb County.
DeKalb County Court Record Fees
Getting copies of criminal court records in DeKalb County comes with set fees. The clerk office accepts credit cards, cash, money orders, and business checks. No personal checks. These fees apply to both walk-in requests and mail requests at the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk office.
Certified copies cost $2.50 for the first page. Each additional page is $0.50. Regular copies are $1.00 per page. If you need a clerk to search for your records, the first quarter hour of staff time is free under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. After that, fees are based on the prorated hourly wage of the lowest paid full-time employee who can do the search. Most simple lookups take less than 15 minutes, so there is often no search fee for basic criminal court record requests in DeKalb County.
Note: Fees can change, so call (404) 371-2836 to confirm current rates before your visit.
Online Criminal Court Records for DeKalb County
DeKalb County provides several online tools to search criminal court records. The Odyssey Judicial Information System is the main portal. It has criminal case data from the Superior Court. You can search by name or case number. Basic case info shows up without a fee. The system shows charges, court dates, and case status.
The DeKalb County Court Records page lists links and instructions for finding case files online and understanding what data is available through the web portal.
The Georgia E-Access to Court Records portal is another option. It connects you to case data from counties across the state, including DeKalb. You need an account to search. The GSCCCA Search Portal covers filings from all 159 Georgia counties and can help when you need to check for cases in more than one county. A regular account costs $14.95 per month. For people who just want to track new filings, the FANS Filing Activity Notification System from GSCCCA is free and sends alerts when new court filings match your search terms.
Legal Help in DeKalb County
If you need help with a criminal case or want to understand your criminal court records in DeKalb County, several resources are available. The GBI main office sits right in Decatur at 3121 Panthersville Road. You can call the Criminal History Records Helpline at (404) 244-2639, option 3, for questions about your own record. Attorneys who need criminal history data for trial prep can email gcic.attorneys@gbi.state.ga.us with case details.
The DeKalb County Bar Association can connect you with local lawyers who handle criminal matters. Georgia Legal Services provides free or low-cost help for people who qualify based on income. These groups can assist with record searches, restriction petitions, and understanding charges in your case file. For general questions about public record access in Georgia, the Attorney General's Open Government page explains your rights under the Open Records Act and how to file a complaint if an agency denies your request.
Cities in DeKalb County
DeKalb County has several cities and unincorporated areas. Criminal cases from all parts of the county are filed at the Superior Court in Decatur. The following cities have their own pages with local court details for criminal court records.
Other communities in DeKalb County include Decatur, Lithonia, Clarkston, Pine Lake, and Stone Mountain. All criminal cases from these areas go to the DeKalb County Superior Court or State Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border DeKalb County. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check where the arrest or charge took place. You must file record requests with the correct county clerk.