Georgia's arrest total exceeds 190,000 annually, with around 4,000 of those arrests made in Whitfield County. According to the state's Open Records Act, law enforcement agencies in the county should maintain records of arrested persons and provide them to requesters. Arrest records are open to the public except those involving minors, witness statements, victims, and sealed/expunged files. Only the Whitfield County District Attorney, authorized organizations, and local law enforcement agencies can get confidential arrest records. Owners of restricted arrest records can submit formal requests or visit official custodians to get their records. Copying, processing, and search fees may apply when obtaining Whitfield arrest records.
Whitfield County arrest records are available through the local and state law enforcement listed below:
The Whitfield County Sheriff's Department typically keeps recent arrest reports and makes them accessible online. Interested parties may also look up the list of inmates in the county jail. An alternative way to get arrest or jail records is by mailing a written request or visiting the county Sheriff at:
805 Professional Boulevard
Dalton, GA 30720
Phone: (706) 278-1233
The two major Police Departments in Whitfield County include Dalton PD and Varnell PD. Interested persons can visit these departments to request records of individuals apprehended within their cities. To facilitate the search, requesters may need to provide the detainee's personal information, arrest dates, and charges. Some police departments offer online request forms or information for obtaining arrest records through their official websites.
Arrest details of convicted persons in Whitfield are typically included in the state's criminal history records. Limited criminal records are publicly accessible online, while comprehensive records are restricted to approved agencies and record owners. The GBI Felon Search allows anyone to look up arrest records and conviction information for felons in the state. Interested persons can search the online portal by providing the subject's name, sex, date of birth, race, and social security number. The GAFS portal costs $15 per search.
To get detailed criminal history records, eligible applicants must visit the county Sheriff or other local Police Offices with valid photo IDs. Legal representatives or third parties can get criminal history records, provided they have signed consent from the record owners. Alternatively, applicants can contact the GCIC Lobby Office at (404) 244-2639 to schedule appointments.
The Clerk of Superior Court typically holds criminal court records in Whitfield County. To get these files, interested persons can submit by mail or in person at:
Whitfield County Clerk of Court
205 North Selvidge Street
Dalton, GA 30720
Phone: (706) 275-7450
Criminal case files are also accessible online through the GSCCCA eCertification Portal. Online requesters must register on the database before searching court records. Online access to criminal case files is free, but requesting certified copies costs $2.50 per page and $0.50 for each extra page. Trusted third-party websites like InfoTracer provide access to Whitfield County arrest records. They offer faster results and allow more flexible search options.
Whitfield County's arrest rate is approximately 390 arrests per 10,000 residents. More details about these figures are provided below.
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter | 2 |
| Robbery | 26 |
| Rape | 10 |
| Simple Assault | 294 |
| Other Assault Crimes | 168 |
| Arson | 5 |
| Burglary/Breaking & Entering | 39 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 12 |
| Larceny | 358 |
| Total Crimes Against Persons (Violent Crimes) | 500 |
| Total Property Crimes | 414 |
| DUI Crimes | 294 |
| Others | 2,810 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 4,018 |
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Dalton Police Department | 301 Jones St | (706)278-3333 |
| Tunnel Hill Police Department | 201 G Vaughn Pkwy | (706)673-5535 |