White County Booking Records

White County jail mugshots are processed at the county jail in Cleveland, Georgia. Located in the northeast Georgia mountains, White County has a population close to 31,000. The Sheriff's Office runs the jail and handles all bookings. Mugshots are part of the booking process and are considered public records under Georgia law. This page explains how to search for White County jail mugshots, what state resources are available, and the legal rules that apply to these records.

White County Sheriff's Office and Jail

The White County Sheriff's Office operates out of Cleveland. It is the sole law enforcement agency responsible for the county jail. All arrests in unincorporated areas of White County go through this office. Municipal police departments in the county may also book arrestees at the county jail.

During intake, staff photograph the person. That photo is the mugshot. It goes into the booking record alongside the person's name, charges, date of birth, and arrest details. These records are stored by the sheriff's office and can be requested by the public. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 makes this a legal right. The office has three business days to respond once you submit a request.

White County sits in a popular area of northeast Georgia. The county sees visitors year-round, which can affect booking volumes. Regardless of volume, every arrest follows the same process and every mugshot becomes part of the public record.

Finding White County Jail Mugshots

The most direct route is the sheriff's office. Call them. Ask about the person by name. They can tell you if someone is currently in custody or if a past booking exists. For copies of mugshots or booking records, you may need to put your request in writing.

The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search is a good next step. This state database covers everyone in the Georgia prison system. If someone was convicted in White County and sent to state prison, this tool will show their mugshot, charges, sentence, and where they are held. The search is free. No account is needed.

Here is the GDC search form that you can use right now.

Type in a name and click search. Results show up right away. The database is updated as inmates move between facilities or are released.

Criminal History Through the GBI

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation offers criminal history checks through the GCIC. This is a statewide database. It covers arrests and court outcomes from every county in Georgia, White County included. If you need a broader look at someone's criminal history beyond one county, this is the tool.

GBI checks have a fee. They take some time to process. But the results are the most complete state-level criminal history report available. The report will show arrests from White County alongside any other Georgia county where the person has a record. It does not include federal records or records from other states.

Visit the GBI website for instructions on requesting a background check. You will need to provide identifying information about the person. The process can be done online or by mail.

Legal Rules on Mugshot Access

O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19 is the key statute for mugshots in Georgia. The law puts restrictions on how law enforcement agencies can share booking photos. Agencies like the White County Sheriff's Office cannot post mugshots on websites unless specific exceptions apply. Anyone requesting a mugshot has to sign a statement confirming they will not use it on a pay-to-remove site.

The Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, guarantees public access to government records. This includes jail mugshots and booking data. White County must follow the same response timeline as every other county. Three business days. Copy fees are capped at 10 cents per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. These costs are set by state law and the county cannot charge more.

People who want their records restricted can look into O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Dismissed cases, acquittals, and certain other outcomes may qualify. Once restricted, the records will not show up in standard public searches. This is a separate process from having a mugshot removed from a private website.

Dealing with Mugshot Websites

If a commercial site has posted your White County mugshot and demands payment for removal, Georgia law is on your side. O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.5 treats this as a consumer protection matter. Send the site a written removal request. If they do not comply within 30 days, file a complaint with the Georgia Consumer Protection Division.

The Consumer Protection Division can investigate and take enforcement action. Their website explains the complaint process step by step. You do not need a lawyer to file. The state handles it from there.

Combining a complaint with a record restriction request under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 can strengthen your position. If the underlying record is sealed, the website has less justification for keeping the photo up. Both processes can run at the same time.

How to Submit a Request

Contact the White County Sheriff's Office in Cleveland. Tell them what you are looking for. The person's full name is essential. A date of birth helps. An arrest date or time frame narrows the search. Be as specific as you can.

In-person requests at the sheriff's office tend to be the fastest. Staff can check the system while you wait. Getting copies may take a bit longer. Mail requests work but add a few days for delivery each way. Phone calls can get you started and help you find out if a record exists before submitting a formal request.

The fees are small. Georgia's 10-cent cap per page means a simple mugshot request is inexpensive. You will not face large costs unless your request covers a large volume of records or requires significant staff time to process.

Nearby Counties

White County is in northeast Georgia. The surrounding counties are also largely rural and mountainous. Mugshots are managed by the county where the arrest happened. Check these neighbors if you need to expand your search.