How to Find Out if Someone Has a DUI in Georgia

Are DUI Records Public in Georgia?

Yes, most Georgia DUI records are public. You need to understand which records are available and where to find them.

Georgia's Open Records Act creates a strong presumption that public records should be available for inspection. The law defines "public record" broadly. It includes documents, computer files, and similar materials made or kept by a government agency. DUI arrests, court filings, and convictions all fit this definition.

Records exist in several places. Law enforcement agencies hold arrest records. The clerk of court in each county keeps court records. These include charges, plea entries, and case outcomes. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) keeps statewide criminal history reports through its Crime Information Center.

Some records are restricted. Georgia law may limit access to certain files. Juvenile cases have separate rules. Dismissed charges may be restricted from public view. In most cases, a Georgia DUI arrest or conviction is public. Multiple search methods appear below.

How do you find out if someone got a DUI? The answer depends on what details you need and which type of record you seek.

How to Search Georgia Court Records for a DUI

Georgia prosecutes DUI cases at the county level. Cases may be heard in state court, superior court, municipal court, or probate court. The specific court depends on location and charge severity. No single statewide database captures every DUI case.

Follow these steps:

1. Identify the county where the arrest happened. Georgia has 159 counties. Each keeps its own court records.
2. Visit the county clerk of court's website. Most Georgia counties offer online case search portals. Fulton County, Gwinnett County, and DeKalb County all provide searchable databases. You can search by defendant name.
3. Search by defendant name. Enter the person's full legal name. Results show the case number, charges, court dates, and outcome.
4. Check the Georgia Courts eFile system. This system opens court records in the courts that take part.
5. Request records in person if needed. Some rural counties still lack full online access. Visit the clerk's office and ask for a case file search.

Certified copies cost a small fee. The fee varies by county. Expect to pay a few dollars per page. Uncertified online searches are often free.

Using a GBI Background Check to Find a DUI

The GBI's Crime Information Center keeps statewide criminal records. A report may show DUI arrests, charges, and convictions from across Georgia. It covers every county.

Two main types of GBI background checks exist:

• Name-based check: Available to the public through local law enforcement. The fee is capped at $20.00 per person. Without fingerprints or signed consent, the center may release only in-state felony convictions, pleas, and sentences. A name-only search will not show a misdemeanor DUI.
• Fingerprint-based check: More exact, but access is limited. Under Georgia law, a private request for criminal history records requires the person's fingerprints or signed consent. A form prescribed by the center is required. Employers, licensing boards, and the person named in the record use this type.

A DUI conviction on a report usually appears as a charge entry. It lists the offense, the court, and the sentence. Arrests with no conviction may also appear unless access was restricted.

Under Georgia law, the center will not provide records when access is restricted. This happens under several code sections, including record restrictions.

Online Tools and Paid Background Check Sites

Several websites offer criminal background searches. BeenVerified, Instant Checkmate, and TruthFinder pull from public records databases. They may show DUI arrests or convictions.

Free options exist. The Georgia Department of Corrections maintains an offender search tool. It covers people who are or have been in Corrections custody – state, private, and county prisons, transitional centers, and probation detention centers. For a county jail booking, the agency points you to the county’s own website. For probation, it points to the Department of Community Supervision. A drunk driving case that never put someone in Corrections custody will not appear there.

Important cautions about third-party services:

• Results may be old or partial. These sites do not always show recent court action, dropped charges, or restricted records.
• Verify against the official source. If a report shows a DUI, confirm it through the county clerk of court or a GBI background check.
• Legal rules apply. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires written notice and the person's written consent before an employer pulls a consumer report. Using a consumer report for employment, housing, or credit decisions must follow specific rules. Informal online searches may not meet those standards.

Checking a Georgia Driving Record for a DUI

DUI convictions appear on a Georgia Motor Vehicle Report (MVR). The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) issues this report. An MVR shows traffic violations, license suspensions, and DUI entries. These connect to a person's driving history.

You can ask for your own three-year or seven-year MVR through the DDS website. Other people usually cannot get your MVR without written consent. The Driver's Privacy Protection Act limits who may see a motor vehicle record. Only set uses are allowed.

These parties may see an MVR:

• Employers checking on a driver who holds a commercial license
• Insurance companies weighing risk
• Government agencies and courts doing their work

A DUI entry on an MVR shows the offense date. It also shows the code section violated and any license action. DUI convictions stay on a Georgia driving record for life. Georgia's point schedule adds no points for a DUI. A conviction suspends the license by law.

When DUI Records May Be Restricted or Sealed in Georgia

Georgia's record restriction law allows some non-conviction records to be restricted from public view. If a person was arrested for DUI but charges were dismissed, the record may be restricted. The same applies after an acquittal, or a reduction to a local ordinance violation, depending on facts.

DUI convictions in Georgia generally cannot be restricted or expunged. Georgia's restriction law does not cover serious traffic offenses. DUI is one of them.

Georgia's first-offender statute allows some first-time offenders to avoid a formal conviction. A court may defer adjudication of guilt and place the defendant on probation. Upon successful completion, the defendant is "exonerated of guilt" and "discharged as a matter of law." The statute leaves DUI out of the first-offender law. This option does not apply to DUI charges.

Juvenile drunk driving records may be handled differently. Juvenile court cases have their own privacy rules. Those records usually do not show up in adult court or GBI searches.

Common Reasons People Search for a DUI Record

People search for drunk driving records for many good reasons:

• Job screening – above all for jobs that involve driving a big truck, running machines, or carrying riders
• Custody or family court – where a parent's drunk driving history affects a child's safety
• Checking a business partner – mainly in trucking or licensed trades
• Personal safety – such as checking on someone you are dating
• Checking your own record – before you apply for a job, a license, or a security check

The best search method depends on your purpose. If you are asking how do I find out if someone got a DUI before making a hire, use a certified background check service that complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Do not rely on informal online searches. You can ask for your own GBI report or MVR directly. For a single-county case, the clerk of court's online portal is often fastest.

Speak With a Georgia DUI Defense Attorney

If you found a DUI on your record or are facing a DUI charge in Georgia, act now.

Georgia drunk driving convictions carry lifelong consequences. A conviction stays on your driving record for life. It generally cannot be expunged or restricted. Every future background check, job form, and insurance renewal may show that charge. Knowing the DUI penalties in Georgia helps you see the stakes.

Deadlines start right away. Georgia gives you 30 days from the date of the suspension notice to request an administrative license suspension hearing. Miss that deadline and the suspension can take effect on its own. That can happen no matter what occurs in your criminal case. Situations involving DUI roadblocks or other run-ins with police are worth a quick look by a lawyer. Experienced DUI attorneys can help protect your rights.

Kohn & Yager LLC focuses on DUI defense throughout Georgia. We understand how Georgia's courts handle drunk driving cases. We can look at your case in a free consultation. Every case is different. Results depend on the facts of each case. If your son got a DUI, we can walk you through the next steps.

Contact Kohn & Yager LLC today to discuss your DUI case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are DUI Arrests Public Record in Georgia?

Yes, DUI arrest records are public record in most cases. Law enforcement agencies maintain DUI arrest records. They are generally available under Georgia's Open Records Act. However, if the arrest did not lead to a conviction and the record was later restricted under Georgia law, it may not appear on standard background checks.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Background Check for a DUI in Georgia?

Georgia law caps the fee for a GBI criminal history record check at $20.00 per person. County court record searches are often free online. Certified copies may involve small per-page fees. Other background check sites charge their own fees.

Can a DUI Be Removed From a Background Check in Georgia?

No, DUI convictions in Georgia generally cannot be expunged or restricted. Georgia's first-offender statute does not apply to DUI charges. However, if a DUI arrest did not result in a conviction, the arrest record may be eligible for restriction under Georgia law.

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Georgia?

A DUI conviction remains on your Georgia driving record for life. It also stays in your criminal history for good. Insurance costs may ease over time. Georgia adds no license points for a DUI. But the record itself does not expire or go away on its own.

How to Find Out if Someone Got a DUI in Another State

Georgia's databases only cover Georgia records. To check another state, you must search that state's court records or criminal history database. Some paid background check sites pull records from many states. Always check results against the official source in that state.

How Can I Find Out if Someone Has a DUI for Free?

Start with the clerk of court in the county where the arrest happened. Most metro Atlanta counties post a case search portal, and an uncertified name search there is usually free. The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search is free as well, but it only covers people who served time in Corrections custody.