Canton, Georgia Busted Mugshots and Arrest Records
Canton busted mugshots and arrest records are processed through the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, which books defendants arrested by the Canton Police Department into the Cherokee County Jail. As the county seat of Cherokee County and one of the fastest-growing small cities in north Georgia, Canton sees a regular volume of bookings, and the Cherokee County inmate search is the primary public resource for finding arrest data, charges, and custody information tied to Canton arrests.
Canton Quick Facts
Which County Handles Canton Arrest Records
Canton is the county seat of Cherokee County. Arrests made by the Canton Police Department result in booking at the Cherokee County Jail. The city of Canton does not operate its own detention facility. After booking, the defendant's name, charges, booking number, and custody status enter the Cherokee County Sheriff's public inmate database and become searchable online through the county's inmate search system.
Cherokee County has grown significantly in recent decades as part of the north Atlanta metro expansion. The Cherokee County Jail serves as the primary booking and holding facility for the entire county, including arrests from Canton, Woodstock, and unincorporated areas. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office maintains a public inmate search at sheriff.cherokeecountyga.gov. The tool is free and does not require an account. Search by name to find current and recently released inmates from Canton arrests. Records typically appear within a few hours of a booking being completed.
The Canton Police Department is at 221 Brown Industrial Pkwy, Canton, GA 30114. Non-emergency calls go to 770-720-4883. For questions about a current inmate or custody status after a Canton arrest, contact the Cherokee County Jail directly rather than city police, since custody transfers to the county sheriff after booking.
Canton Police Department
The Canton Police Department is the city's primary law enforcement agency. The department is at 221 Brown Industrial Pkwy, Canton, GA 30114. Non-emergency is 770-720-4883. CPD handles patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, and community policing throughout the city. All arrests made by CPD officers result in booking at the Cherokee County Jail.
Canton PD does not run a public inmate database or booking search. After making an arrest, officers hand the defendant to the Cherokee County Sheriff for processing. Arrest records then enter the county inmate system. For a copy of a Canton Police Department incident report or arrest report, you can make a formal records request to the city. Under the Georgia Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, the department must respond within three business days. The first 15 minutes of staff time and the first 20 pages are free. For current inmate status, the Cherokee County inmate search at sheriff.cherokeecountyga.gov is faster and more direct, since that is where live jail data is maintained for Canton arrests.
The screenshot below shows the Georgia Bureau of Investigation homepage, the state agency that maintains statewide criminal history records and processes formal records requests for all Georgia arrests, including those from Cherokee County and Canton.
The GBI runs the Georgia Crime Information Center and handles open records requests for state-level criminal history records, including cases from Canton and Cherokee County.
Cherokee County Inmate Search for Canton Busted Mugshots
The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office inmate search at sheriff.cherokeecountyga.gov is free and public. Search by name to find current and recently released inmates in the Cherokee County Jail. For Canton busted mugshots and arrest data, this is the most direct public tool available. Results show the defendant's name, booking date, charges, and custody status. The Cherokee County Sheriff's site also has contact information, bond details, and other jail information.
Under O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19, Georgia law enforcement cannot post booking photos online. The Cherokee County inmate search shows arrest data without photos. This applies statewide. Third-party websites may collect and publish booking photos from other sources. If a Canton booking photo shows up on a third-party mugshot site, Georgia law gives a clear path for removal. Under O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.5, mugshot companies must remove photos at no charge within 30 days of a certified mail request. The Georgia Consumer Protection Division explains eligibility and the process in detail.
For older Canton arrest records not found in the live inmate search, a formal records request to the Cherokee County Sheriff is the right path. The agency must respond within three business days under Georgia Open Records Act rules, and the first 20 pages and 15 minutes of staff time are free.
The screenshot below shows the Georgia Consumer Protection Division page on mugshot website removal rights, useful for anyone with a Canton or Cherokee County arrest record on a third-party site.
Georgia law requires mugshot websites to remove booking photos for free within 30 days when the arrest meets state eligibility requirements under O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.5.
Georgia Law on Canton Booking Photos and Mugshot Sites
Three Georgia statutes are most relevant when dealing with Canton busted mugshots. The first is O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19, which bars Georgia law enforcement from posting booking photos on their websites. This is why the Cherokee County Sheriff's inmate search does not display mugshots. The statute has been in effect since 2014 and applies to all Georgia law enforcement agencies.
The second is O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.5, which covers third-party mugshot websites. These sites must remove photos at no cost within 30 days of a valid certified mail request. Any site that charges for removal is violating the law. The Georgia Consumer Protection Division explains which arrests are covered and how to write a valid removal request. Not every type of arrest qualifies, so read the guidance before taking any action.
The third is the Georgia Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. This law gives anyone the right to request public records from Georgia agencies. Cherokee County Sheriff booking records are public under this statute. Agencies must respond within three business days. Pages cost $0.10 each after the first 20.
The screenshot below shows the Georgia Felon Search service, a $15 statewide tool for checking felony conviction records tied to Canton or any other Georgia location.
The Georgia Felon Search provides instant statewide felony results for $15 and covers all Georgia jurisdictions including Cherokee County and Canton.
Statewide Resources for Canton Arrest Records
Beyond the Cherokee County inmate search, several statewide tools are useful when researching Canton arrest records. The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), operated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, holds statewide criminal history data for all Georgia arrests and convictions. You can request a GCIC check through official channels for anyone with a Cherokee County or Canton record. The Georgia Felon Search at georgia.gov is $15 and gives instant statewide felony results.
The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search is free and covers state prison inmates. It does not show current Cherokee County Jail detainees, but if someone convicted in Canton was later sent to state prison, they may appear in the GDC database. The Georgia Sex Offender Registry, maintained by the GBI, is free and searchable by name or address. It includes photos and covers all of Georgia, including Cherokee County and the Canton area.
The screenshot below shows the Georgia Department of Corrections offender query tool for finding state prison records tied to Canton or Cherokee County convictions.
The GDC database covers state prison offenders with photos. Current Cherokee County Jail inmates appear in the county inmate search at sheriff.cherokeecountyga.gov instead.
Nearby Cities
Woodstock is another qualifying city in Cherokee County with its own arrest record and inmate search information.
Cherokee County Resources
Canton is the county seat of Cherokee County. The county page has more detail on the jail, inmate search, and arrest record resources for the full Cherokee County area.