Dodge County Criminal Court Records

Dodge County criminal court records are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court in Eastman. This middle Georgia county handles felony and misdemeanor criminal cases through its court system each year. You can search for criminal case files by visiting the clerk office on Anson Avenue or calling ahead to check on a specific case. Dodge County is part of the Oconee Judicial Circuit, and all criminal filings from around the county come through the courthouse in Eastman. The clerk staff can pull records, check court dates, and provide copies of documents during regular business hours. Walk-in requests are handled the same day when possible.

Dodge County Criminal Court Clerk

The Clerk of Superior Court in Dodge County handles all criminal court records filed in the county. The office is at 5401 Anson Avenue in Eastman. Call (478) 374-2871 to ask about a case or check on a criminal record filing. This is the only office in Dodge County where you can get copies of criminal case files, look up court dates, and file documents tied to a criminal matter. The staff can help with most requests the same day you visit. Dodge County is a smaller jurisdiction, so the clerk office manages everything in one spot.

The GSCCCA page for Dodge County shows the clerk contact information and links to the county filing system through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.

From the GSCCCA site, you can verify the Dodge County clerk address and phone number, plus connect to statewide tools for searching criminal records across Georgia.

Searching Dodge County Criminal Records

You can search for criminal court records in Dodge County a few ways. Visiting the clerk office in Eastman is the most direct. Staff can look up cases by name or case number and make copies on the spot. Copy fees in Georgia are $0.10 per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. The first 15 minutes of search time are free. After that, the office can charge based on the hourly rate of the lowest paid employee able to do the work. Most requests in Dodge County take just a few minutes to process.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, criminal court records in Georgia are public. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not need to state a reason. The agency must respond within three business days. This law applies to Dodge County and every other county in the state. If you cannot visit the courthouse, you can mail a written request to the clerk at the Anson Avenue address. Include the full name, date of birth if you have it, and any case number you know.

To search criminal records in Dodge County, you will need:

• Full name of the person you are looking for
• Date of birth or age if known
• Case number if available
• Type of charge, felony or misdemeanor

Note: Bring a valid photo ID when you visit the Dodge County clerk office for criminal records.

Criminal Case Types in Dodge County

Dodge County Superior Court handles felony cases. These include violent crimes, drug charges, theft over certain amounts, and other serious offenses. The State Court takes misdemeanor cases like simple battery, minor drug possession, and criminal traffic offenses. Both courts operate from the courthouse in Eastman. Magistrate Court deals with preliminary hearings and bond settings for criminal defendants. Each of these courts generates records that the Dodge County Clerk keeps on file and makes available to the public under Georgia law.

Criminal cases in Dodge County follow the same path as other Georgia counties. An arrest creates booking records. Charges are filed in the court. The case moves through hearings, motions, and possibly a trial. Each step creates documents that become part of the criminal court record. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, records from active investigations may stay exempt from public view. Once a case is resolved, most records become fully public. Basic docket info and court dates are typically available even during an open case.

Dodge County Records Online Access

Dodge County does not have its own online court records portal. For online access, you can use statewide tools. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority indexes filings from all 159 Georgia counties. GSCCCA focuses on real estate and lien records mainly, but it can point you to the right clerk for criminal case data in Dodge County. A regular GSCCCA account is $14.95 a month, and premium access runs $29.95 per month.

The E-Access to Court Records portal connects to case data from courts across the state. You need an account to search. For Dodge County criminal records, this is a way to check case status from home without driving to Eastman. The system shows basic case info, court dates, and party names.

For your own criminal history, visit the Dodge County Sheriff's Office and ask for a Purpose Code U report. This is the standard way to get your Georgia criminal history for personal use. The GBI Criminal History page explains how to get your full statewide record. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, some criminal records can be restricted from public view. Arrests that did not lead to a conviction and certain misdemeanor convictions after a four-year wait may qualify. Dodge County residents can start this through the District Attorney's office for arrests on or after July 1, 2013.

Criminal Record Restriction in Dodge County

Record restriction is Georgia's process for limiting public access to certain criminal records. It used to be called expungement. The records still exist, but they are hidden from public searches. Law enforcement and judges can still see them. In Dodge County, the process works the same as it does statewide. Contact the District Attorney for arrests after July 1, 2013. For older arrests, go through the arresting agency. Agencies can charge up to $50 to handle the request. The whole process takes between two weeks and 90 days depending on the case.

Georgia limits each person to two misdemeanor conviction restrictions in a lifetime. Serious violent felonies and sexual offenses are not eligible for restriction at all. Time-expired restrictions can happen automatically if the Georgia Crime Information Center does not get a final case disposition within two years for a misdemeanor, four years for a felony, or seven years for a serious violent felony. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GCIC can also share criminal history data with defense attorneys who submit a written request. Lawyers in Dodge County use this when they prep for trial. The GBI Criminal History Records Helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3 can answer questions about your record.

Cities in Dodge County

All criminal cases from cities and towns in Dodge County go through the Superior Court or State Court in Eastman. The courthouse on Anson Avenue handles all felony and misdemeanor filings from across the county.

Cities and towns in Dodge County include Eastman, Chauncey, Chester, and Rhine. Criminal cases from all of these areas are processed through the Dodge County court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Dodge 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.