Chatham County Public Records / Chatham County Arrest Records

Chatham County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Chatham County

Arrest records in Chatham County, Georgia, are generally considered public records under state law. Pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act, codified at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement agencies. Arrest records — which document the act of taking an individual into custody — are distinct from conviction records, which reflect a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest record indicates that law enforcement had probable cause to detain an individual; it does not constitute evidence of criminal guilt. Conviction records are maintained separately through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the courts. Certain arrest records may be restricted from public access, including those involving juveniles, sealed records, or records subject to an expungement order under Georgia law.

Chatham County Sheriff's Office 1050 Carl Griffin Dr, Savannah, GA 31405 (912) 652-7600 Chatham County Sheriff's Office

Georgia Bureau of Investigation 3121 Panthersville Rd, Decatur, GA 30034 (404) 244-2501 Georgia Bureau of Investigation

What's in Chatham County Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by Chatham County law enforcement agencies contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking. The following categories represent the typical contents of an arrest record:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Race, sex, height, weight, and eye and hair color
Social Security Number (may be redacted in public copies)
Current residential address

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Name and badge number of arresting officer
Arresting agency (e.g., Chatham County Sheriff's Office, Savannah Police Department)
Incident or case number

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges filed
Georgia criminal statute cited for each charge
Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, or ordinance violation)

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number and issuing court
Date warrant was issued
Jurisdiction of originating warrant

Booking Information:

Booking number and date
Facility where the individual was processed
Fingerprint and photograph (mugshot) notation

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
Bond amount set by the court or magistrate
Bond status (posted, pending, denied)

Court Information:

Assigned court (e.g., Chatham County State Court, Superior Court)
Next scheduled court date
Case number assigned by the clerk of court

Custody Status:

Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
Release date and method of release

Additional Information May Include:

Co-defendants listed in the same incident
Narrative summary of the arresting officer
Vehicle information if relevant to the arrest

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Chatham County in 2026

Members of the public may access Chatham County arrest records through several official channels. The following steps outline the process for obtaining these records:

Contact the Chatham County Sheriff's Office — The Sheriff's Office maintains booking records for individuals processed at the Chatham County Detention Center. Requestors may submit a written Open Records request in person, by mail, or by email to the Records Division.
Submit a Written Request — Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies must respond to public records requests within three business days. Requests should include the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and any known case or booking number.
Visit the Clerk of Superior Court — Court records related to criminal charges stemming from an arrest are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court of Chatham County.
Request Records from the GBI — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), which houses statewide criminal history records. Individuals may request their own records or authorized third parties may submit requests with proper documentation.
Pay Applicable Fees — Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and staff time associated with fulfilling records requests, as permitted under Georgia law.

Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court 133 Montgomery St, Savannah, GA 31401 (912) 652-7200 Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court

Savannah Police Department 201 Habersham St, Savannah, GA 31401 (912) 651-6675 Savannah Police Department

How To Find Chatham County Arrest Records Online

Several official online platforms provide access to Chatham County arrest and booking information. Members of the public may use the following resources:

Chatham County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search — The Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate lookup tool on its official website, allowing users to search for individuals currently held at the Chatham County Detention Center by name or booking number.
Georgia Felon Search (GBI) — The GBI's Georgia Felon Search portal allows members of the public to search for individuals convicted of felony offenses in Georgia at no charge.
Chatham County Magistrate Court — Warrant and bond information may be accessible through the Magistrate Court's online case management system.
Georgia Judicial Gateway — The Georgia Judicial Gateway provides access to court case information across multiple Georgia courts, including Chatham County Superior and State Courts.

Chatham County Magistrate Court 133 Montgomery St, Savannah, GA 31401 (912) 652-7252 Chatham County Magistrate Court

How To Search Chatham County Arrest Records for Free?

Free access to Chatham County arrest records is available through several official channels. The following methods allow members of the public to conduct searches at no cost:

Online Inmate Search — The Chatham County Sheriff's Office online inmate lookup tool is available at no charge and provides current booking and custody status information.
GBI Georgia Felon Search — The GBI's public felon search portal is free to use and covers statewide felony conviction records.
Georgia Judicial Gateway — Basic case information, including charges and court dates, may be accessed through the Georgia Judicial Gateway at no cost.
In-Person Inspection — Under the Georgia Open Records Act, members of the public have the right to inspect public records in person at the custodial agency without charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.
Chatham County Clerk of Courts Online Portal — The Clerk of Courts maintains an online case search tool that provides free access to court case information, including criminal case filings.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Chatham County

Georgia law provides two primary legal mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: restriction (commonly referred to as record restriction or expungement) and sealing. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, individuals may petition to have certain arrest records restricted from public view, meaning the records are removed from public access but not physically destroyed. Sealing refers to court orders that prevent records from being disclosed in specific proceedings.

Eligibility for Record Restriction:

Charges that were dismissed or nolle prossed (prosecution declined)
Arrests where no charges were filed
Acquittals at trial
Certain first-offense convictions for which the individual has completed all sentence requirements and meets statutory criteria

Steps to Restrict an Arrest Record in Chatham County:

Determine Eligibility — Review the disposition of the case to confirm it meets the criteria under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37.
Obtain Case Documentation — Gather certified copies of the disposition from the Clerk of Superior Court.
Submit a Petition — File a petition for record restriction with the arresting law enforcement agency and, if applicable, the prosecuting attorney's office.
Agency Review — The arresting agency and prosecutor review the petition and may approve or object within the statutory timeframe.
GBI Notification — Upon approval, the GBI updates the Georgia Crime Information Center to reflect the restriction.

Chatham County District Attorney's Office 133 Montgomery St, Savannah, GA 31401 (912) 652-7308 Chatham County District Attorney's Office

What Happens After Arrest in Chatham County?

The criminal justice process in Chatham County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition. The following steps outline the standard process:

Arrest and Booking — Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Chatham County Detention Center, where booking procedures are completed, including fingerprinting, photographing, and recording of personal information and charges.
Initial Appearance — The arrestee appears before a Chatham County Magistrate Court judge, typically within 48 to 72 hours, for a bond hearing and advisement of charges.
Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury — For felony charges, the case proceeds to a preliminary hearing in Magistrate Court or is presented to a grand jury in Superior Court for indictment.
Arraignment — The defendant is formally arraigned in the appropriate court and enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere.
Pre-Trial Proceedings — Motions, discovery, and plea negotiations occur during this phase.
Trial or Plea Disposition — The case is resolved through a jury or bench trial, or through a negotiated plea agreement.
Sentencing — Upon conviction, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Georgia sentencing guidelines.
Appeals — The defendant retains the right to appeal the conviction or sentence to the Georgia Court of Appeals or Supreme Court of Georgia.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Chatham County?

Arrest records in Chatham County are subject to retention schedules established under Georgia law and administered by the Georgia Archives and the relevant custodial agencies. Under the Georgia Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-90 et seq., all public records must be retained in accordance with approved retention schedules.

Law Enforcement Arrest Records — Arrest records maintained by the Chatham County Sheriff's Office and Savannah Police Department are generally retained for a minimum of seven years following the date of arrest, with records involving serious felonies retained for longer periods or permanently.
Court Records — Criminal case files maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court are subject to permanent retention for felony convictions; misdemeanor records may be retained for shorter periods depending on case disposition.
GBI Criminal History Records — The Georgia Crime Information Center retains criminal history records, including arrest data, indefinitely unless a valid restriction order is received.
Juvenile Records — Records involving individuals arrested as juveniles are subject to separate, more restrictive retention and access rules under Georgia juvenile justice statutes.

Different agencies within Chatham County maintain independent retention schedules, and the applicable period may vary based on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and whether a restriction order has been issued. Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for ongoing legal proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system.

How to Find Mugshots in Chatham County

What Mugshots Are Mugshots are official photographic images taken by law enforcement at the time of booking. They are part of the arrest record and serve as an identifying document within the criminal justice system.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained Mugshots are maintained by the Chatham County Sheriff's Office as part of the booking record for each individual processed at the Chatham County Detention Center. The GBI also retains booking photographs as part of the statewide criminal history record.

Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request mugshots through a formal Open Records Act request submitted to the Chatham County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Requests should include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest.

Can They Be Found Online The Chatham County Sheriff's Office inmate search tool may display booking photographs for individuals currently in custody. Historical mugshots are not routinely published online by official county agencies but may be accessible through a formal records request.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially To obtain a mugshot officially, requestors must submit a written Open Records request to the Sheriff's Office. Fees for copies are assessed in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act.

Restrictions on Mugshot Access Mugshots associated with restricted or sealed records are not subject to public disclosure. Juvenile booking photographs are confidential under Georgia law. Additionally, Georgia has enacted legislation addressing the commercial use of mugshots by third-party websites, reflecting ongoing legislative attention to privacy concerns related to booking photographs.

Chatham County Detention Center 1050 Carl Griffin Dr, Savannah, GA 31405 (912) 652-7600 Chatham County Detention Center