Search Smyrna Criminal History

Smyrna criminal history records come from a mix of local and county sources in Georgia. The Smyrna Police Department keeps arrest reports and incident data for crimes that take place inside city limits. Felony cases go through the Cobb County Superior Court system in Marietta. If you want to check a criminal record tied to Smyrna, you may need to look at both the city and county level. The state also runs tools that pull in data from across Georgia, so those are worth a look too. This page covers each option and what to expect from the process.

Smyrna Police Department Records

The Smyrna Police Department is the main local source for criminal history in this city. The department is at 2646 Atlanta Road SE, Smyrna, GA 30080. You can call them at (770) 434-6666. The police handle all arrests, incident reports, and local law enforcement within the city. When someone is arrested by Smyrna police, the arrest goes on record and the case moves into the court system.

To get a copy of a police report, you can file an open records request with the department. Georgia's Open Records Act gives the public the right to ask for documents held by government agencies. Some records may be held back if they relate to an active case. Walk-in requests are taken at the police station during business hours. You can also call ahead to ask about the process.

The Smyrna Police Department handles misdemeanor arrests and local ordinance violations. These cases typically go to the Smyrna Municipal Court. Felony arrests get sent up to the Cobb County Superior Court in Marietta for prosecution. If you need a record from a felony case that started with a Smyrna arrest, the county court clerk is where to look.

Cobb County Court Records for Smyrna

Smyrna sits in Cobb County. All felony cases from the city go through the Cobb County Superior Court. The court clerk's office is at 70 Haynes Street, Marietta, GA 30090. Call (770) 528-1300 for questions. Criminal case files at the clerk's office show charges, court dates, pleas, verdicts, and sentences. These are public records in most cases.

You can visit the clerk's office in person to search the index. There is usually a per-page fee for copies. The clerk can also certify documents if you need them for legal use. Some Cobb County court records can be searched through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority. This statewide portal lets you look up court data from many counties in one place.

The Cobb County Sheriff's Office also keeps booking records. Their office is at 1825 County Services Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060. Phone is (770) 499-4200. They run an online inmate search tool that shows people in the county jail right now. It is free. But it only shows current inmates, not past records or full criminal history.

State Criminal History Searches for Smyrna

Two state tools can help you find criminal history that may tie back to Smyrna. The Georgia Felon Search checks the GCIC database for felony convictions across the state. It costs $15 per search. You need the person's first and last name, date of birth, and sex. Results come right away. The fee applies even if no record is found. This tool only shows felony convictions. Misdemeanors and restricted records do not show up.

The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search is free. It shows people who are in state prison right now. You can search by name, GDC ID, or case number. If someone from Smyrna was sent to state prison, they would appear in this tool. It does not cover county jail inmates or people who have finished their sentence. Both tools give you a way to check Smyrna criminal history from a state-level view.

Criminal Record Restriction in Smyrna

Georgia uses record restriction instead of expungement. A restricted record is sealed from the public but stays open to law enforcement. Under O.C.G.A. Section 35-3-37, certain records get restricted on their own. Charges that never went to a prosecutor are restricted after two years for misdemeanors and four years for most felonies. Seven years is the mark for serious violent felonies.

Records also get restricted when all charges are dismissed or dropped. Acquittals lead to restriction unless the prosecutor objects within ten days. People who finish a First Offender Act sentence can have their record restricted too. The First Offender Act, found in O.C.G.A. Section 42-8-60, lets first-time offenders avoid a formal conviction if they complete their sentence.

For arrests before July 1, 2013, you apply through the arresting agency. They send it to the prosecutor. For arrests on or after that date, go to the Cobb County District Attorney directly. The GBI FAQ page has more detail on how this works.

What Smyrna Criminal Records Include

A criminal history record from Smyrna pulls data from local and state sources. It shows the person's name, date of birth, and physical traits. Arrest data lists the agency that made the arrest, the date, and what charges were filed. Court records show whether the case ended in a conviction, a dismissal, or a plea. If the person served time in a state prison, that shows up in the state system too.

Not all records are open to the public. Restricted records do not show on public checks. Juvenile records are sealed in most cases. Federal crimes handled in federal court are not part of the state's GCIC system. Those sit with federal agencies like the FBI. Under O.C.G.A. Section 35-3-34, the GCIC can share criminal history records with a defendant's attorney upon written request.

Smyrna Municipal Court

The Smyrna Municipal Court handles cases that involve city ordinance violations, traffic offenses, and some misdemeanor charges. The court does not deal with felony cases. Those go to Cobb County Superior Court. If you are looking for a record from a minor criminal case in Smyrna, the municipal court is the right place to start.

Municipal court records can be requested through the court clerk. You may need to visit in person or call to ask about the process. Not all municipal court records are available online, so plan for an in-person trip if you need certified copies. The court sits in the Smyrna Public Safety Building on Atlanta Road.

Getting Your Own Criminal History in Smyrna

You can get a copy of your own Georgia criminal history record through the Smyrna Police Department or any sheriff's office in the state. Under O.C.G.A. Section 35-3-37, any person can review their own record by filing a written request. You go in, get fingerprinted, and pay a fee. The prints go to the GBI's Georgia Crime Information Center. They send back a copy of what they have on file. The fee is capped at $15, not counting the cost of fingerprints.

If your record has wrong or misleading data, you can challenge it. The agency has 60 days to act on your request. Contact the GCIC at P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, Georgia 30037-0808. You can also call (404) 244-2639. Same-day appointments are not available at the GCIC lobby, so plan ahead if you need to go in person.

Nearby Cities

Several cities near Smyrna also have criminal history resources through their local police departments. All of these fall within the broader metro Atlanta area and share some of the same county court systems.

Marietta is the Cobb County seat and handles all felony court cases for the area. Kennesaw is north of Smyrna and also falls in Cobb County. Mableton is a nearby community that uses the same county court system for criminal cases.