Cherokee County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Cherokee County, Georgia, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. CherokeeCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the Cherokee County Superior Court, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Courts, and state-level repositories maintained by the Georgia Crime Information Center.

How to Search Criminal Records in Cherokee

There are multiple ways to search for criminal records in Cherokee County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and what type of record you need.

Through CherokeeCourt.us

Start at CherokeeCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information. You can look up cases using a defendant's name or case number to find charge details, case status, and court dates.

Online — County and State Tools

• Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Jail List — The Cherokee County Jail List allows you to search current inmates by name. Results include booking details, charges, bond amounts, and arresting agency. An arrest listed here does not mean the person has been convicted.
• Georgia Courts Portal — The E-Access to Court Records page on the Georgia Courts website provides links to participating county court record systems across the state.
• Georgia Department of Corrections — To look up someone currently serving a state sentence or on probation, use the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search. This covers individuals under state supervision, not county jail inmates.

In Person

Visit the Cherokee County Clerk of Courts at the Cherokee County Justice Center in Canton. Public access terminals and staff assistance are typically available during business hours. You can search court calendars, review case files, and request copies of documents.

By Mail or Written Request

You can submit a written open records request to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Records Division for incident reports and arrest records. If you have a case number, you can also call 678-493-4140 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to request an incident report. For misdemeanor case records from the prosecution side, the Solicitor-General's Office accepts open records requests but notes it only handles misdemeanor criminal offenses.

For a formal Georgia criminal history report, submit a request to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. This typically requires fingerprinting and a processing fee.

What You Need to Begin a Search

• Full legal name of the individual
• Date of birth (helpful but not always required)
• Case number (if searching a specific case)
• Arresting agency or court of jurisdiction (if known)

Search Cherokee Criminal Cases by Case Number

If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Georgia case numbers follow a structured format that encodes key information about the case.

A typical Cherokee County case number looks something like 25BW0071 or 24MW0810. Here's how to read it:

• First two digits — The year the case was filed (e.g., "25" = 2025, "24" = 2024)
• Letter code — Indicates the case type and court. Common prefixes in Cherokee County include:
  • BW — Felony bench warrant or Superior Court criminal case
  • MW — Misdemeanor case (often State Court)
  • CR — Criminal case in Superior Court
• Trailing digits — Sequential case number assigned by the clerk's office

When searching by case number, enter the full number exactly as it appears on court documents. If searching through the Clerk of Courts or a court portal, the system may require you to select the correct court level (Superior, State, or Magistrate) before entering the number.

Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Cherokee

Charges

Criminal charges in Cherokee County reference Georgia statute codes (O.C.G.A. sections). Each charge is classified by severity:

Charges may be amended during the course of a case — for instance, a felony may be reduced to a misdemeanor through a plea agreement. The jail list and court records typically show the original charges at booking, while final dispositions reflect any amendments.

Case Status

• Pending — Charges have been filed; the case is awaiting court action
• Active — The case is currently being adjudicated
• Disposed — The case has reached a resolution (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
• Closed — All post-disposition requirements have been completed

Hearings

Cherokee County criminal cases may involve several types of hearings. Daily criminal calendars are available through each Superior Court judge's office.

• First appearance / arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges
• Preliminary hearing — Probable cause determination (felonies)
• Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case resolution, motions, and scheduling
• Trial — Bench or jury trial
• Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
• Review hearing — Probation compliance checks or other post-disposition reviews

Court Results

• Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
• Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
• Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court
• Nolle prosequi — Prosecution declines to pursue the case (common in Georgia)
• First Offender — Sentenced under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60; no public conviction if completed successfully

How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Cherokee

Certified copies of criminal court records are handled by the Cherokee County Clerk of Courts. Arrest and incident records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office.

Clerk of Courts (Court Records)

To request certified copies of court documents:

1. Visit the Clerk of Courts office in person or submit a written request by mail.
2. Provide the case number, defendant name, and the specific documents needed.
3. Present a valid government-issued photo ID if requesting in person.
4. Pay applicable copy and certification fees at the time of request.

Sheriff's Office (Arrest and Incident Records)

Submit an open records request through the Sheriff's Office Records page. Under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), all public records are available for inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by law.

Criminal Record Restriction (Expungement)

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain criminal history records may be restricted from non-criminal justice access when approved by the prosecuting attorney. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office expungement page provides information and forms for this process.

State Criminal History (GCIC)

For a comprehensive Georgia criminal history report, contact the Georgia Crime Information Center through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Requests typically require fingerprint submission and a processing fee. These reports cover statewide criminal history, not just Cherokee County records.

Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Cherokee

Fees for criminal records in Cherokee County are governed by Georgia law, including O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77 (clerk fees) and the Georgia Open Records Act.

Processing Times

• Open records requests (Sheriff's Office) — Georgia law requires a response within three business days. The agency must provide records or a timeline for production.
• Clerk of Courts copies — Simple requests are often fulfilled the same day if made in person. Mail requests may take one to two weeks.
• GCIC criminal history reports — Processing typically takes several weeks, depending on whether fingerprint cards are submitted by mail or electronically.

Fees must generally be paid before records are released. Contact the relevant office directly to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods.