Criminal records in Gwinnett County, Georgia, are maintained across several courts and law enforcement agencies. GwinnettCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Records may also be accessed through official court systems such as the Gwinnett County courts, the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Superior Court, and statewide portals operated by the Georgia court system.
How to Search Criminal Records in Gwinnett
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Gwinnett County. Start by gathering as much identifying information as possible — a full legal name, date of birth, or case number will produce the most accurate results.
Online Search Options
- GwinnettCourt.us — Search for publicly available criminal court record information by name or case number.
- Gwinnett County Courts website — The official portal for Superior, State, Magistrate, Recorder's, Juvenile, and Probate Court information. Some courts offer online case search tools through this site.
- Georgia Courts E-Access — A statewide portal that redirects users to individual court record systems. An account may be required to search.
- Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Query — Search for individuals currently or formerly incarcerated in Georgia's state prison system.
In Person
- Visit the Gwinnett County Clerk of Superior Court at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center. Public access terminals may be available for case lookups.
- The Recorder's Court and State Court clerks also maintain records for cases within their jurisdiction.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Gwinnett County Clerk of Superior Court for copies of specific case records. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number.
- For a formal Georgia criminal history report, submit a request to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), which operates under the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Fingerprint-based background checks are processed through GCIC and may require an approved channeler or live-scan provider.
What You Need to Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth
- Case number (if available)
- Court type (Superior, State, Recorder's, Magistrate)
Search Gwinnett Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by that number is the fastest way to pull up a specific record. Georgia case numbers typically follow a format that includes:
- A two-digit year — representing the year the case was filed (e.g., "24" for 2024)
- A court-type abbreviation — such as "CR" for criminal cases in Superior Court or "ST" for State Court
- A sequential filing number — assigned in the order the case was received
For example, a Superior Court criminal case filed in 2024 might appear as 24-CR-12345. Recorder's Court and Magistrate Court cases may use slightly different prefixes. Enter the full case number exactly as it appears on any court paperwork to avoid partial or incorrect matches.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Gwinnett
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) section the defendant is charged under |
| Felony | Serious offenses carrying potential prison sentences of one year or more |
| Misdemeanor | Lesser offenses typically punishable by up to 12 months in county jail and/or fines |
| Amended charges | Original charges that have been changed by the prosecutor — may reflect a plea agreement or new evidence |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further court action.
- Active — Proceedings are underway (hearings scheduled, motions filed).
- Disposed — The case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, acquittal).
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled; no further court action expected.
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea.
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases).
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss potential resolutions before trial.
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury.
- Sentencing — The court imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea.
- Review hearing — Follow-up to monitor probation compliance or other conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | Defendant acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the court or prosecution |
| Nolle prosequi | Prosecutor elected not to pursue the case |
| Dead docketed | Case suspended indefinitely — may be reopened later |
| First Offender | Sentenced under Georgia's First Offender Act (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60); conviction may be avoidable upon successful completion |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Gwinnett
Certified copies of criminal case documents are issued by the office that maintains the original record. In Gwinnett County, the primary custodian for Superior Court criminal records is the Clerk of Superior Court.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Clerk's office at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request including the case number, defendant name, the specific documents needed, and a return address. Include payment by check or money order payable to the Gwinnett County Clerk of Superior Court.
- State criminal history — For a comprehensive Georgia criminal history record, contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's GCIC division. Fingerprint-based checks require submission through an approved live-scan vendor.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Fingerprints for GCIC background checks
Contact Information
Gwinnett County Clerk of Superior Court
For State Court or Recorder's Court records, contact the respective clerk's office through the Gwinnett County Courts website.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Gwinnett
Fees for criminal record copies in Gwinnett County are set by Georgia statute and local fee schedules. The following are general guidelines based on O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77 and standard county clerk practices:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $0.25–$0.50 |
| Certified copy (per document) | $2.50 for certification plus per-page copy cost |
| GCIC criminal history (state background check) | Varies; typically $20–$35 depending on the type of check |
| Search fee (clerk's office) | May apply; ask the clerk for the current schedule |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within a few business days.
- Mail requests — Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mailing.
- GCIC background checks — Fingerprint-based checks typically take 5–10 business days; electronic submissions may be faster.
Contact the Clerk of Superior Court at (770) 822-8100 to confirm current fees before submitting payment. Fee schedules may be updated periodically.