Gwinnett County Arrest Records

An arrest is the custodial restraint of a person when they have violated local or state laws. Per O.C.G.A. § 17-4-20, an arrest for a crime may be made by a Gwinnett County law enforcement officer with a warrant or without a warrant if:

• The offender is attempting to escape.
• The offense occurred in the officer’s presence or within their immediate knowledge.
• The police officer, upon probable cause, believes that an act of family violence has been committed.
• The officer, upon probable cause, believes that the person has violated a criminal family violence order, and the officer does not have any prior or current familial relationship with either the alleged victim or the offender.
• The officer, based on probable cause, believes that a person has committed an offense involving physical abuse against a vulnerable adult who cannot protect themselves due to a physical or mental impairment.
• For other causes where there is a likelihood of justice failing for want of a judicial officer to issue a warrant.

After the arrest, the arrested person would be brought to the Gwinnett County Jail for booking. The booking process involves entering the arrestee’s personal identification information into a computer system and taking fingerprints and mugshot photos. After the booking process, the arrestee will be allowed to call someone. The arrestee would be brought before a judge for a bond hearing within 48 hours if the arrest occurred without a warrant and within 72 hours if there was an arrest warrant. The judge will also set a trial date for when the case will be heard. If the arrested person is found guilty, they will be sent to jail, but they will be released if they are not found guilty.

Per O.C.G.A. § 17-4-27, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for maintaining the records of all arrests made in its jurisdiction. These records are available for public inspection and copying online and in person during business hours. Other public records law enforcement agencies maintain are Gwinnett County Court Records, Inmate Records, Criminal Records, and Warrant Records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Gwinnett County?

Yes. The Georgia Open Records Law gives the public the right to see, inspect, and copy all arrest records except those that are specifically exempted from disclosure by court order or by law. Therefore, Gwinett County residents can submit arrest record requests at any law enforcement agency during business hours. Examples of arrest records exempted from disclosure per O.C.G.A. §50-18-72 are:

• Medical records
• Juvenile arrest records
• attorney work product obtained when a person is arrested
• Pending investigatory records, excluding initial police arrest and incident reports
• Arrest records that disclose the identity of a confidential source, confidential investigative or prosecution material that would endanger the life or physical safety of any person(s), or the existence of a confidential surveillance or investigation.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Arrest records like Initial incident and police arrest reports closed investigatory records, and booking, warrant, and jail information are public. They can be retrieved at the arresting agency’s office during business hours. A typical public arrest record contains the following information:

• Mugshot
• Arrestee’s full name
• Gender, age, and race
• Height and weight
• Eye and hair color
• Year of birth
• Cell assigned
• Arresting officer
• Warrant/citation number
• Booking number and date
• Release date and sentence length
• Bond amount and type
• Custody and visitation status
• Charge details (statute, court case number, charge, and degree level)

Gwinnett County Crime Rate

The Gwinnett County Police Department's 2021 Annual Report records 15,619 crimes, a decrease from 15,695 in 2020. The top crimes revealed in the report were theft (8,935), entering an auto (2,445), burglary (1,292), and auto theft (1,169).

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s 2022 Crime Statistics Summary Report reveals that Gwinnett County had a 14.54 crime rate per 1,000, and the index crime totaled 14,241. The highest crime was larceny-theft (8,485), followed by aggravated assault (2,267) and burglary (1,285).

Gwinnett County Arrest Statistics

The Gwinnett County Police Department’s Special Investigations Section made approximately 2,503 arrests in 2021, while the Records/Permits Unit made 26 arrests that same year. DUI arrests totaled 1,417 in 2021 and 1,512 in 2020.

Find Gwinnett County Arrest Records

Gwinnett County arrest records can be retrieved from the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC). These records are available online, by phone at (404) 656-4661, and in person at any GDC Facility. Individuals can Locate an inmate online using the GDC’s Offender Search tool. Search by name, description, ID, or case number. In-person requesters must provide a name or number to facilitate the search. The record staff may request a search fee.

Some Gwinnett County citizens are federal offenders, and their arrest details are maintained by federal law enforcement agencies across the state. Records seekers might be able to find federal arrest records at the following agencies:

• The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Applicants can use the ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System to find the arrest records of Gwinnett County residents. A search can be conducted by an A-Number or biographical information. A country of birth must be selected in both search options. Inquirers can also visit any of the ICE’s local field offices or detention facilities to retrieve copies of arrest records.
• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) makes arrest records available to eligible individuals online, by mail, and through approved channelers. After making an electronic request, online requesters must visit an approved U.S. Post Office location to submit their fingerprints. The processing time for online requests is about 15 days, while that of mail requests is 20 days. The FBI does not provide expedited services. A fee of $18, payable by credit card using the Credit Card Payment Form, money order, or certified check, is required for this service. Mail requesters must fill out an Applicant Information Form and send it to:

FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306

• The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Interested persons can inspect arrest records online via the BOP’se Inmate Locator. A search can be conducted by number (BOP register number, DCDC number, FBI number, or INS number) or name (first and last names). Alternatively, record seekers can visit any BOP facility to obtain copies of arrest records. The recording staff would require basic information about the inmate to process the request. A small search and copy fee may apply.
• The United States Capitol Police (USCP): The USCP issues arrest summary reports online and by mail. Mail applicants must send a completed Request Form to the agency at:

United States Capitol Police
Reports Processing Section
119 D Street, Ne
Washington, DC 20510

Free Arrest Record Search in Gwinnett County

The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office has an Inmate Search tool that inquirers can use to find arrest records for free. The tool lists arrested persons booked into the Gwinnett County Jail within the last 24 hours. However, requesters can filter their search by name (last, first, or middle name) or booking date (begin or end date). There is also an option of searching for inmates currently released from the jail.

Requesters can also find arrest records on third-party platforms. The search criteria are by name. These search portals provide arrest information across multiple jurisdictions, making it possible to find Gwinnett County arrestees nationwide. Unfortunately, only initial searches are free. Individuals interested in extensive searches must pay a small fee with their credit cards.

Get Gwinnett County Criminal Records

Individuals can obtain copies of criminal records from the Gwinnett County Police Department and City Police Departments. For example, the Sandy Springs City Police Department issues criminal history reports in person at the Records Department. This service costs $31. In-person requests should be made during office hours from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at:

Sandy Springs Police Department
Records Department
7840 Roswell Road,
Building 301,
Sandy Springs, GA 30350

The Gwinnett County Police Department only provides criminal records in person because of its confidentiality. The Department is open from Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. On getting to the office, requesters will be issued a waiver to complete. A valid government-issued ID and social security number (state-issued Driver’s License or ID, Passport, Military ID, or Employment Authorization/Green Card) will be required to process the request. This service costs $20, and the office is located at:

Gwinnett County Police Department
Permits Unit
446 West Crogan Street, Suite 102
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Phone: (770) 513-5110, (770) 513-5111

Record seekers can obtain comprehensive criminal records in person at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Visit the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) Lobby Office to make criminal record inquiries and requests. Access to the GCIC Office is by appointment. Applicants must call (404) 244-2639 option 1 to make an appointment. The GCIC Office does not accept same-day appointments. The Office is located at:

Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034 US

Gwinnett County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records are not the same as criminal records. The major difference is in the information they contain. Gwinnett County arrest records are official documents law enforcement officers produce after taking a person into police custody for a criminal offense. They only provide information about the arrest and booking process, and they are not as comprehensive as criminal records.

Conversely, a criminal record is information collected by criminal justice agencies consisting of a person's identifiable descriptions (name, sex, social security number, race, date of birth, height, and weight), arrest data (arrest date, arresting agency, and charges), indictments, detentions, accusations, final judicial disposition data (correctional supervision, sentencing, and release) (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-30(4)(A)).

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrests typically stay on record permanently except when expunged. However, the Georgia Archives provides information on some Arrest Record Retention Schedules:

• Recalled arrest warrants are kept for two (2) years
• Inmate case files are kept for ten (10) years after release
• Jail registers are destroyed ten (10) years after the last entry
• Civil arrest order log books are retained for three (3) years
• Incarceration lists of arrested persons are retained for one (1) year
• Arrest warrants are retained for fifteen (15) years for all other offenses
• Open arrest warrants are retained for fifty (50) years for capital offenses
• Arrest and booking summary statistics are retained for five (5) years
• Investigation logs are destroyed three (3) years after the release of the inmate
• Executed arrest warrants are retained for three (3) years after court appearance
• Criminal investigation case files of felonies are retained for seven (7) years after adjudicated
• Criminal investigation case files of misdemeanors are retained for five (5) years after adjudicated
• Criminal investigation case files (capital felonies) are retained for fifty (50) years after adjudicated
• Sex offender registration records are destroyed seven (7) years after the registrant moves or is otherwise removed from jurisdiction.
• Jail booking records, including fingerprints and medical and personal information, are destroyed ten (10) years after release.

Expunge Gwinnett County Arrest Records

An expungement (also known as record restriction) restricts public access to some records on a person’s official criminal history report. These records are only visible to law enforcement agencies for criminal justice purposes. Cases eligible for expungement in Gwinett County are:

• Cases that are closed without conviction
• Some juvenile misdemeanor convictions where the sentence has been completed and the offender is not charged with any other offense except a minor traffic offense within five (5) years.
• Charged with a felony but convicted of an unrelated misdemeanor
• first-time drug offenders who plead guilty under the conditional discharge act
• Charges dismissed after the offender has successfully completed a pretrial intervention/diversion program
• The arrested person has completed a Drug Court, Veteran, or Mental Health Court Program and has no other record of arrests (except minor traffic offenses) within the last five (5) years.
• Completed a Pretrial Intervention or Diversion Program (PTID)
• Cases placed on the dead docket can be expunged after twelve (12) months

Individuals whose arrests occurred before July 1, 2013, can apply for restriction at the Gwinett County Police Department (if it is the arresting agency). Send the completed Request to Restrict Arrest Record Instructions and Request Form to the Department. To expungement felony arrests that occurred after July 1, 2013, complete the Application Online or Download the Application and attach a photocopy of a government-issued identification. The requester should email the form to DARR@gwinnettcounty.com.

Individuals can also request arrest records expungement at local police departments. For example, the Dunwoody Police Department processes such requests when a requester submits a Request to Restrict Arrest Record Form with a non-refundable $25 processing fee. The acceptable forms of payment are cash or money orders. Upon receipt of the application and fees, the Department will complete Section 2 of the form if the applicant’s case was presented in the Dunwoody Municipal Court. Afterward, the request will be forwarded to the City of Dunwoody Solicitor for review. The approval process takes about three months. After approval by the court, an applicant must forward the approved request form with an additional $25 fee to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC). The fee must be paid by money order or certified check payable to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

Gwinnett County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a written order issued to a law enforcement officer by a judge requiring the arrest of a named person. Pursuant to Georgia Code § 17-4-40, any judicial officer in Gwinnett County may issue a warrant for the arrest of any offender based on probable cause, either on the judge’s own knowledge or on the sworn information provided by others. A warrant issued in Gwinnett County can be executed anywhere in the state (Georgia Code § 17-4-44). After executing the warrant, the officer must bring the suspect before the judicial officer within 72 hours after arrest (O.C.G.A. § 17-4-26). Per Georgia Code § 17-4-46, a typical arrest warrant contains:

• The county’s name.
• Affiant’s name.
• Issuing date.
• Defendant’s name.
• A description of the offense.
• A command to arrest the suspect.
• The judge’s signature.

Gwinnett County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals can contact the Gwinnett County Magistrate Court’s Criminal Division by phone at (770) 619-6700 or in person to make warrant inquiries. Record seekers can also find arrest warrant information by phone or in person at the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office. Phone requests can be made to the Warrants Support Unit at (770) 619-6800. In-person requests can be made at:

Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office
2900 University Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Phone: (770) 619-6500
Email: GCSOCommunications@gwinnettcounty.com

Do Gwinnett County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants issued in Gwinnett County do not expire. They remain active until executed or recalled and quashed. Record custodians will destroy arrest warrants three (3) years after execution.