Run a Free Cobb County Warrant Search (Record Access)

Perform a free Cobb County warrant search today with the right tools.

The ability to search for warrant information can be a valuable tool; the right to search for this information — like many other public government records — is due to the Georgia Open Records Law.

A warrant search can help you learn more about someone you know and whether they’re wanted for any crimes. You can also conduct a warrant lookup if you’re concerned about yourself. Of course, these are just two options, and you don’t need to have any specific reason for looking up warrants.

However, you must know where and how to look for these details; this resource will provide you with all the tools and resources needed to find details on anyone wanted in Cobb County, Georgia.

This resource was written by Attorney Robert Bailey Jr, who holds a Juris Doctorate from Widener University School of Law.

A Review of Tracking Down Cobb County Warrants for Free

Before you start to perform your warrant search, it’s important to understand some basics to assist you with this process. First, while the Georgia Open Records Law provides broad access to public government records such as warrants, that access is not unlimited.¹

Certain types of warrants may be considered exempt from being made available to the general public. A notable exception for warrants is if it contains information that would impact an ongoing investigation. This exception typically occurs when certain warrants have not been fully executed.

There are various types of warrants, which will be discussed in detail later. Exceptions to availability may also depend on the type of warrant you are looking for. While arrest warrants are typically public information, there is good reason to restrict search warrants until they have been fully executed.

Depending on the type of warrant and the agency that issued it, warrants can be found through various means. Options include online databases, in-person searches, phone, email and mail.

Regardless of how you perform your warrant search, there is some basic information you will need to have available. At the most basic level, you will need to have the person’s first and last name. In addition, you will want to know both the county where the person lives and where the warrant was issued.

There is also other information that can be helpful in your warrant search. For instance, if you know the agency that issued the warrant or the reason it was issued, that can greatly assist you in your search. Any other information related to the person in question and the event that led to the warrant can be helpful in the search process.

Now that you know the type of information you will need to perform your search, you also need to know what Cobb County government agencies can provide this information. In Cobb County, your primary resource is the Superior Court.

The Cobb County Superior Court has an online search tool to obtain this information.² You can also get limited information on wanted persons from the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office.³

In some counties, you can track down warrant information at the city or town level. In Cobb County, this is not an option. Read on to learn about the specific ways to conduct a warrant search in Cobb County.

How To Run a Cobb County Warrant Search for Free

If you are looking to perform a warrant search, a quick option is to use an online search tool. The Cobb County Clerk of Superior Court Search Tool is a great option for accessing warrant information online.⁴ The Superior Court online database is a general court case search tool, so to begin your inquiry, make sure you select the criminal cases option.

On the search page, there is an “offense type” drop-down menu. This drop-down menu contains several different crimes if you want to search for a particular offense.

However, you can also use this drop-down menu to focus your inquiry on various types of warrants. For instance, you can specifically tailor your inquiry to look for search warrants.

Once you make this selection you can enter the person’s name you want to search. You can also set a date range to assist with narrowing down your search. You will then click “search” and be taken to the results page.

The results page will provide you with the following information:

• Party Name
• Alias
• Offense Type
• Case Name
• Date Filed
• Case Number
• Judge

To view the complete online record, click on the view button on the far left-hand side. Once you open the complete online record, you can click on the pleadings and hearings section.

In these two sections, you can view a chronological list of all court documents and hearings. It’s in these sections where you can find warrant information.

When you find the issuance of the warrant in the pleadings, you can click on a PDF of the actual document. This will provide you with the warrant number, police case number and a description of the reason for the warrant.

If you have additional questions about warrant information, you can contact the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk. You can call them at 770-528-1300 or go to the address below:

Cobb County Superior Court Clerk
70 Haynes St.
Marietta, Georgia 30090

Another online resource you can view is the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Most Wanted Criminals Page.⁶ Here, you can see a list of wanted individuals with their mugshot, brief description, and information on why there is a warrant for their arrest. For additional warrant information, you can contact the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office at 770-499-4634 or by going to the address below:

Cobb County Sheriff’s Office
185 Roswell St. NE
Marietta, Georgia 30060

In certain counties, you can check for warrant information issued by city and municipal courts. However, this is not an option in Cobb County. All warrants are issued at the county level.

A Look at Warrant Types & Their Meanings

There is not just one type of warrant to search. While people usually think of a warrant as something that authorizes a person to be arrested, there are many types, and they do not all serve the same purpose. Understanding the different types of warrants and why they are issued can greatly assist you in your search process.

There are three types of warrants that you will likely encounter during your search in Cobb County. The type most people search for is an arrest warrant.

This warrant is issued by a judge for the arrest of a person who is alleged to have committed a crime. The process starts with law enforcement presenting the court with evidence that establishes probable cause that a person committed a specific crime.

Within the arrest warrant category, there are subcategories. For instance, a probation or parole warrant can be issued for a person’s arrest if they violated any requirements for staying out of jail.

You can also be issued a traffic warrant for failing to handle certain motor vehicle violations. Or a person can be issued a warrant if they fall significantly behind on child support payments.

The second type that is often issued is referred to as a bench warrant. A bench warrant does not require evidence to be presented to a judge.

Rather, it is issued by a judge when an individual fails to show up for a court hearing or follow some other court order. This can happen in both civil cases and criminal matters when a person is out of jail on bail.

The third primary type of warrant that is issued is a search warrant. Unlike the previous two, this warrant is focused on gathering evidence as opposed to bringing a person into custody.

Much like those issued for an arrest, a judge will issue the search warrant once presented with probable cause that there is evidence of a crime. Once issued, law enforcement can search in a specified location for criminal evidence.

There are also other types of warrants in Cobb County. One example is a Capias Pro Fine warrant, which is issued when a person fails to pay a fine they have been assessed.

Take these different types of warrants into consideration when you are conducting your search.

How Do You Resolve an Active Warrant in Cobb County Georgia?

You now understand the different types of warrants and who the custodian is for these records. You are also equipped with tools for searching warrants throughout Cobb County. However, this last section is crucial as you also need to know what to do when you uncover an active warrant for either yourself or someone you know.

If, during your search, you find out that someone close to you has an active warrant, it would be good practice to let them know about it. It may be that they were not aware of the fact that they have an outstanding warrant. Of course, if you do not know the person too well, it may be better to approach a family member or friend that you have a closer relationship with.

Also, if the warrant is for a serious or violent matter, you may want to skip telling them or a loved one and go straight to law enforcement. You can contact the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office at 770-499-4633 if you have any information about someone with an active warrant. You can also submit a tip with the Cobb County Police Department.⁷

If you discover that you have an active warrant, then your next steps are crucial. For minor traffic or bench warrants, you may be able to have them removed by simply paying any outstanding balances or calling to have a hearing rescheduled.

However, resolving warrants is not always this easy. If you become aware of an arrest warrant, you are going to want to turn yourself in.

Before you do that, it would be wise to seek a licensed criminal law attorney in Cobb County to assist you with the logistics of this process. In addition, you will want to contact a bail bondsman in case you have the opportunity to post bail.

Lastly, you will want to reach out to your family and make sure they are aware of the situation. When you turn yourself in, you may not be able to talk to anyone for a little while during the processing. Even when you do get a call you are likely to only be able to talk to one person.

You now have the tools and resources to understand what types of warrants are in Cobb County, who the custodian is and how to access them. This resource gives you the rundown for what you should do when you find information on yourself or someone else while performing a Cobb County warrant search.