Newton County DUI Case Records

Newton County DUI records come from the Superior Court in Covington and from state agencies in Georgia. The clerk's office stores case filings, motions, and final court orders for every DUI case in the county. State records include driving history reports from DDS and criminal background data from the GBI. All of these are open to the public. You can request them online, in person, or by mail. This page covers the steps for searching Newton County DUI records.

Newton County Clerk of Court

All DUI case records in Newton County sit with the Clerk of Superior Court. The office is in Covington. Every filing from a DUI case ends up here. That means the arrest warrant, the charges, any plea deals, and the judge's final order. The public can ask for copies. The clerk's office handles requests in person and sometimes by mail.

The Newton County Clerk of Superior Court can be reached at (770) 784-2055. The mailing address is P.O. Box 716, Covington, GA 30014.

Copy fees for Newton 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.

DUI Driving History in Newton County

Every DUI conviction in Newton 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.

You can also get a driving history in person at any DDS Customer Service Center or by mail. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 80447, Conyers, GA 30013. You need your full name, license number, and date of birth. Non-certified reports are view-only and last 30 days. Certified copies are stamped by DDS and mailed to your address. The DDS MVR request page has full details.

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.

Criminal DUI Records in Newton County

DUI arrests in Newton County also create entries in the state criminal history system. The Georgia Crime Information Center at the GBI maintains this database. Criminal records from DUI cases include arrest data, charges, and the court's final ruling. These records do not expire on their own. A report costs around $15. You can request one through local law enforcement in Newton County or by mail to GCIC in Decatur.

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.

Newton County DUI Record Access

The GSCCCA search portal lets you look up court records from Superior Courts across Georgia, including Newton 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 Newton 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 Newton County residents to access DUI record data.

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

Georgia DUI Laws and Newton County

Georgia DUI law is defined in O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391. This statute applies to all DUI cases in Newton 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.

First DUI convictions in Newton 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 Newton 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.

• 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

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 Newton County may qualify for record restriction through the GBI. Repeat DUI convictions generally cannot be restricted.

Nearby Counties

Browse DUI records in counties near Newton County.