Find DUI Records in Decatur County

Searching for Decatur County DUI records means checking a few different sources. Court case files sit with the Clerk of Superior Court in Bainbridge. Driving history records that show DUI convictions come from the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Criminal background data is held by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Each source has its own process and fees. This page breaks down how to find DUI records in Decatur County through all three channels.

Decatur County DUI Records Office

The Decatur County Clerk of Superior Court in Bainbridge is the main source for DUI case records. This office keeps all files from DUI cases heard in Decatur County. That includes the original charges, any motions filed, plea agreements, and the final court order. You can ask for copies of any document in a case file. Staff can search by name or case number.

The Decatur County Clerk of Superior Court can be reached at (229) 248-3025. The mailing address is P.O. Box 336, Bainbridge, GA 39818.

Copy fees for Decatur County DUI records follow state law. O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77 sets the rate at $0.50 per page for regular copies. Certified copies cost $2.50 for the first page, then $0.50 each after. Most people who need DUI records for legal use will want the certified version.

Decatur County DUI Driving History

Every DUI conviction in Decatur County gets reported to the Georgia Department of Driver Services. DDS puts it on your driving history report, also called a Motor Vehicle Report. You can check your own record through DDS Online Services. A 3-year report is $6, and a 7-year or lifetime report is $8. DUI entries remain on Georgia driving records for 10 years from the date of the offense.

Besides the online portal, Decatur County residents can request driving records in person at a DDS office or by mail to P.O. Box 80447, Conyers, GA 30013. Bring your license number and date of birth. Certified copies get stamped and mailed. Non-certified versions are for viewing only. Check the DDS driving history page for forms and instructions.

Georgia suspends your license after a DUI conviction. The first time brings one year. The second adds three years. A third offense results in five years. O.C.G.A. § 40-5-75 covers these penalties. All of this shows on your DDS record.

DUI Criminal Records in Decatur County

Beyond court files and driving records, Decatur County DUI convictions show up in the state criminal history database. The GCIC at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation keeps this data. It includes arrest details, the charges filed, and how the case ended. These records last forever unless restricted by court order. Reports cost about $15 through local law enforcement or the GCIC office.

Georgia uses IdentoGO by Idemia for fingerprint-based background checks. Results go to GCIC. You can also request a report by mail. Send it to GCIC, P.O. Box 370808, Decatur, GA 30037. The GCIC criminal history page has full instructions.

Search Decatur County Court Records

You can search Decatur County DUI court records through the GSCCCA search portal. This statewide tool covers Superior Court filings across Georgia. Search by the name of the person charged or by case number. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority maintains this database.

The eCertification portal is another option for getting certified DUI records. Not every county takes part, so check if Decatur County is listed. If it is, you can request certified court documents online. They arrive as secure PDF files sent to your email.

Under Georgia's Open Records Act, DUI case files are available to anyone. You can request them without being involved in the case. No reason is needed. Courts may redact sensitive details like account numbers from copies they give out.

The state portal shown below is one way for Decatur County residents to access DUI record data.

This Georgia resource helps Decatur County residents search for DUI records at the state level.

DUI Fines in Decatur County

All DUI cases in Decatur County fall under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391. This is Georgia's main DUI statute. It defines DUI as driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher, or while impaired by drugs or other substances. The limit drops to 0.04 for commercial vehicles and 0.02 for drivers under 21.

First DUI convictions in Decatur County carry fines from $300 to $1,000 and up to 12 months of probation. Community service runs 40 hours. DUI school is required. Second offenses within 10 years raise the fine floor to $600, add 30 days of community service, and require a clinical evaluation. A third conviction pushes fines to $1,000 through $5,000 and brings at least 15 days in jail. Georgia also requires a newspaper notice after second and third convictions.

Under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-55, Georgia's implied consent law, refusing a chemical test during a DUI stop in Decatur County results in a one-year license suspension. This is separate from any court penalties. The Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety has a full list of DUI-related statutes.

• DUI charge and arrest details
• Court filings and motions
• Plea agreements if any
• Final court order or verdict
• Sentencing information

DUI convictions stay on Georgia driving records for 10 years. Criminal history records at GCIC last forever unless restricted by court order. Some first-time offenses in Decatur County may qualify for record restriction through the GBI. Repeat DUI convictions generally cannot be restricted.

Nearby Counties

Browse DUI records in counties near Decatur County.