DUI Case Records in Lincoln County

Lincoln County DUI records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Lincolnton. Anyone can search for these records. A DUI arrest in Lincoln County creates case files at the court level and entries on the driver's state record. Georgia law treats DUI as a criminal offense, so it shows up in both court records and criminal history databases. You can look up Lincoln County DUI records online through state portals, by mail, or in person at the clerk's office. This page covers where to find DUI records in Lincoln County and how to get copies.

Lincoln County Clerk of Court

The Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court in Lincolnton is the main source for DUI case records. This office keeps all files from DUI cases heard in Lincoln 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 Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court can be reached at (706) 359-5505. The mailing address is P.O. Box 340, Lincolnton, GA 30817.

Under O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77, standard copies of DUI records in Lincoln County cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $2.50 for the first page and $0.50 for each page after that. Certified copies carry the court's official stamp. You may need certified copies for legal proceedings or official business.

Georgia DUI Records for Lincoln County

Georgia DDS keeps records of all DUI convictions on driving history reports. If you live in Lincoln County and hold a Georgia license, you can pull your own driving record through DDS Online Services. Reports cost $6 for three years and $8 for seven years or a lifetime report. A DUI stays on your Georgia driving record for 10 years. These reports show violations, suspensions, and DUI entries.

Besides the online portal, Lincoln 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.

Georgia Criminal History for Lincoln County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the criminal history database through the Georgia Crime Information Center. DUI convictions in Lincoln County appear in this system as criminal offenses. Unlike driving records, criminal history data stays on file permanently unless a court grants record restriction. You can request a criminal background report at any local police station or sheriff's office in Lincoln County. Reports cost about $15.

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.

Access DUI Records in Lincoln County

The GSCCCA search portal lets you look up court records from Superior Courts across Georgia, including Lincoln County. You can search by name or case number to find DUI case filings. This is a free tool run by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.

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

Georgia DUI records are public under the state Open Records Act. You do not need to be a party in the case to request copies. You do not need to give a reason. Some details like financial account numbers may be redacted from public copies.

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

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

DUI Penalties in Lincoln County

Georgia DUI law is defined in O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391. This statute applies to all DUI cases in Lincoln County. It covers driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, toxic vapors, or any mix of these. The legal limit is 0.08 BAC for regular drivers, 0.04 for commercial drivers, and 0.02 for anyone under 21.

Penalties for a first DUI in Lincoln County include fines of $300 to $1,000, up to 12 months probation, and 40 hours of community service. DUI school is mandatory. A second offense within 10 years bumps fines to $600 minimum and adds a clinical evaluation requirement. Third convictions carry fines up to $5,000 and a minimum of 15 days in jail. Georgia law also requires a published newspaper notice for second and third offenses.

Georgia uses implied consent under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-55. Driving in the state means you agree to chemical testing if stopped for DUI. Refusing the test in Lincoln County leads to a separate one-year license suspension. The GOHS DUI laws page lists all related statutes.

• Driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher
• Driving under the influence of drugs
• Driving under the influence of toxic vapors
• Driving with any mix of alcohol and drugs
• Commercial driving with a BAC of 0.04 or higher

A DUI stays on your driving record for 10 years in Georgia. Criminal records do not expire. Lincoln County residents can apply for record restriction through the GBI for some first-time offenses. The process requires court approval and a review by the prosecutor.

Nearby Counties

Browse DUI records in counties near Lincoln County.