Polk County Criminal Records Search

Polk County criminal court records are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse in Cedartown. This northwest Georgia county processes felony and misdemeanor cases through its local court system, and the clerk office keeps all criminal filings on record. You can search for criminal records in Polk County by calling the clerk office on West Avenue, visiting in person, or using Georgia's statewide online tools. Staff can pull case files, check court dates, and hand over copies of criminal court records during regular hours. Cedartown is the county seat, and all Polk County criminal filings route through this courthouse.

Polk County Criminal Court Clerk Office

The Clerk of Superior Court in Polk County handles all criminal court records filed in the county. The office is at 144 W. Ave. in Cedartown. Call (770) 749-2114 to ask about a criminal case, check on a filing, or find out about court dates. This is the central office for all felony and misdemeanor filings in Polk County. Staff can search records by name or case number and pull the documents you need. The Polk County courthouse is the only location where criminal court records are kept, and walk-in visits are welcome during business hours.

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

From the GSCCCA site, you can verify Polk County clerk details and access the filing indexes that the authority maintains for every county in Georgia. The authority also handles notary records and lien data for the state.

Note: Polk County has its own judicial circuit, so court schedules are set locally rather than shared with neighboring counties.

Searching Polk County Criminal Records

Getting criminal court records from Polk County starts with the clerk office in Cedartown. Call (770) 749-2114 to ask about a case. Staff can look up records by name or case number. Copies cost $0.10 per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. The first 15 minutes of staff search time are free. After that, charges may apply based on the hourly rate of the lowest paid employee who can handle the request. You can also visit the courthouse at 144 W. Ave. during business hours or send a written request by mail.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, criminal court records in Georgia are public. Anyone can request them. You do not need to explain why. The Polk County clerk has three business days to respond. This is the same law that covers all 159 Georgia counties. The Open Records Act lets you inspect and copy criminal case files, court orders, docket sheets, and other documents in the record. Records tied to an active investigation or sealed by a judge may be held back until the case concludes.

To search for criminal records in Polk County, you will need:

• Full name of the person you are searching for
• Date of birth or approximate age
• Case number if one is available
• Type of case, such as felony or misdemeanor
• Date range for the search if you have a general timeframe

Criminal Cases in Polk County

Polk County Superior Court handles felony cases. Drug charges, armed robbery, burglary, violent crimes, and other serious offenses go to Superior Court. The State Court takes misdemeanor cases. DUI, simple battery, petty theft, and lower-level drug charges are State Court matters. Magistrate Court holds preliminary hearings and bond settings for criminal cases. All of these courts create records that the Polk County Clerk of Superior Court manages and stores. Since Polk County has its own judicial circuit, court schedules are more predictable than in counties that share circuits with several neighbors.

Every criminal case in Polk County follows the same basic flow. An arrest happens first. Charges are filed. The case moves through the system with hearings, motions, and then a plea deal or trial. Each step creates documents that go into the court file. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, some records are kept from the public while an investigation is still active. Once the case ends, most of those records become available. Basic court dates and docket info are usually accessible even while a case is still pending in Polk County.

Polk County Records Online Access

For online searches of Polk County criminal records, use statewide tools. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority indexes filings from every county in Georgia. While GSCCCA mainly covers real estate and lien data, it helps you find the right clerk for criminal records in Polk County. A regular account costs $14.95 a month, and premium access is $29.95 per month. The E-Access to Court Records portal is another option that connects to case data from Georgia courts. You need an account. This lets you check Polk County criminal case status from home without going to Cedartown.

For your own criminal history, visit the Polk County Sheriff's Office and ask for a Purpose Code U report. The GBI Criminal History page explains the statewide process. Call the GBI at (404) 244-2639 option 3 for questions about your record. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, some criminal records can be restricted. This applies to arrests with no conviction and certain misdemeanor convictions after a four-year wait. Polk County residents start the process through the DA's office for arrests on or after July 1, 2013. Agencies may charge up to $50. Georgia allows two misdemeanor conviction restrictions per person. Serious violent felonies and sexual offenses are never eligible.

The GBI Open Records Unit no longer accepts email requests as of December 2023. Use the portal at gbigeorgia.govqa.us or mail your request to P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, GA 30034. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, attorneys can get criminal history data from the Georgia Crime Information Center by submitting a written request.

Cities in Polk County

All criminal cases from Polk County go through the Superior Court or State Court in Cedartown. The courthouse on West Avenue handles felony and misdemeanor filings for the whole county.

Cities and towns in Polk County include Cedartown, Rockmart, and Aragon. Criminal cases from all these areas are processed through the Polk County court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Polk County. Criminal cases must be filed in the county where the arrest happened. If you are not sure which county holds the record, check where the alleged crime took place.