Navigating the Atlanta City Detention Center: What Residents and Visitors Need to Know

If you live in Atlanta, have a loved one who was arrested in the city, or you’re trying to understand how local detention and jail processes work, understanding the Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC) is important. This guide walks through what the facility is, how it’s used, what to expect if someone is held there, and where to turn for more help.

What Is the Atlanta City Detention Center?

The Atlanta City Detention Center is a city-run jail facility located in downtown Atlanta. Historically, it has been used to:

• Hold people arrested by the Atlanta Police Department (APD) on city or state charges
• Temporarily house individuals awaiting a first court appearance or transfer to another jail
• Process bookings, fingerprinting, and initial intake

The facility is separate from:

• Fulton County Jail (Rice Street) – County-run, handles many felony and longer-term pretrial detentions
• DeKalb County Jail – For arrests made in DeKalb County portions of the metro area
• Federal detention facilities – For federal charges

If you’re dealing with an arrest in Atlanta city limits, the Atlanta City Detention Center may be involved in the earliest hours of the process, depending on city policies at the time of the arrest.

Where the Atlanta City Detention Center Is Located

Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC)
254 Peachtree Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

This location is:

• In downtown Atlanta, near the intersection of Peachtree St SW and Memorial Dr SW
• Just south of the Five Points area and the Atlanta City Hall complex
• A short distance from major roads like I‑20 and I‑85/I‑75

Because the area is busy and parking can be limited, many people choose to:

• Use MARTA (Five Points or Garnett stations are the closest)
• Use rideshare or be dropped off near the facility

How the Detention Process Typically Works in Atlanta

If someone is arrested within Atlanta city limits, several steps usually occur:

1. Arrest and Transport

• The person is taken into custody by a law enforcement officer, often an Atlanta Police Department officer.
• Depending on the charge and current city agreements, they may be taken to Atlanta City Detention Center or Fulton County Jail.

2. Booking and Intake

At the primary booking facility (which may be ACDC or the county jail):

• The person is searched, photographed, and fingerprinted.
• Personal property is logged and stored.
• Basic health and identification information is collected.

This stage can take several hours, especially during busy times.

3. Bond and Release (If Eligible)

Once booked:

• The person may receive a bond amount depending on the charge.
• Some minor city ordinance violations may allow for quick release with a bond or citation.
• More serious charges may require the individual to wait for a first appearance hearing before a judge.

If you’re trying to help someone get out, it’s common to:

• Contact the facility to confirm where they are being held
• Check bond amounts and available payment methods
• Speak with an attorney or public defender for legal guidance

How to Find Out if Someone Is in Custody in Atlanta

If you think someone has been arrested in Atlanta, these are typical steps:

1. Contact Local Law Enforcement or Jail Information

You can usually:

• Call Atlanta Police Department non-emergency or jail information line
• Check with Fulton County Jail and other nearby county jails
• Ask directly if the person is at the Atlanta City Detention Center or has been transferred

Because procedures change, operators generally provide the most up-to-date guidance on:

• Where the person is being held
• Whether online inmate lookup tools are available
• Next steps for bonding out or visiting

2. Gather Basic Information Before You Call

Having the following ready can make the process faster:

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Approximate time and place of arrest (if known)

☑️ Tip: If you don’t know exactly where they were arrested, start with Atlanta Police if it happened within city limits, then check Fulton County Jail if you can’t confirm ACDC custody.

Visitation: What to Expect (and Why It Varies)

Visitation at city or county detention facilities around Atlanta is tightly regulated. Common patterns include:

• Limited visitation hours on certain days
• Requirements for advance scheduling or pre-approval
• Strict rules on ID, dress code, and what you can bring
• Security screening at entry

Because the Atlanta City Detention Center’s role has changed over time, there may be periods when:

• In-person visitation is restricted or unavailable
• People are quickly transferred to county jails where different rules apply

Before planning a visit:

1. Confirm that your loved one is still at ACDC.
2. Ask the facility directly about:
   • Current visitation policy
   • Required identification
   • Whether phone or video visitation is used instead of in-person visits

Phone Calls, Mail, and Communication

Communication policies can differ between ACDC and the county facilities, but many Atlanta-area jails have similar patterns.

Phone Calls

Typically:

• People in custody cannot receive incoming phone calls directly.
• They may be allowed outgoing calls using a jail phone system.
• Calls are often time-limited and may be monitored or recorded.

You may need to:

• Set up an account with the jail’s phone service provider
• Add funds so the person can place collect or prepaid calls

Mail

If ACDC is accepting mail at the time:

• Letters usually must include the person’s full name and any inmate number provided.
• There are restrictions on:
  • Items inside envelopes
  • Certain kinds of paper, photos, or drawings
  • Packages and books (which often must come directly from publishers or approved vendors)

Before sending mail, it’s wise to call the facility or check current guidelines to avoid rejected mail.

Bonding Someone Out After an Arrest in Atlanta

If your friend or family member is held at the Atlanta City Detention Center or another local jail, you may be able to post bond for their release.

Common Atlanta-area bond options include:

1. Cash Bond – Paying the full bond amount in cash (or certified funds).
2. Surety Bond – Using a licensed bail bond company that charges a fee (often a non-refundable percentage of the bond).
3. Property Bond – In some cases, using real property as collateral, subject to strict documentation.

Key steps:

• Confirm exactly where the person is held (ACDC vs. Fulton County Jail, etc.).
• Ask the facility:
  • The bond amount
  • What forms of payment are accepted
  • Where and when you can post bond

Many families in Atlanta choose to speak with a criminal defense attorney early in the process, especially if the charges are serious or bond is high.

Atlanta City Detention Center vs. Fulton County Jail

Residents are often confused about the difference between these two facilities. Here’s a simplified comparison:

In practice, someone arrested in Atlanta may:

• Be briefly processed at ACDC, then
• Be transferred to Fulton County Jail depending on the charges and current city-county agreements.

This is why, when you’re trying to locate someone, it’s common to call or check both.

Court Appearances and the Atlanta Municipal Court

For many arrests that occur within the City of Atlanta, early court hearings may be handled by the Atlanta Municipal Court:

Atlanta Municipal Court
150 Garnett Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

This court typically handles:

• Many traffic offenses issued by Atlanta Police
• City ordinance violations
• Some misdemeanor cases originating in the city

If your loved one is held at ACDC or was recently released:

• Their court date and time should be listed on their paperwork or citation.
• Failure to appear can result in warrants and additional legal trouble.

If you’re unsure:

• Call the Atlanta Municipal Court clerk’s office with the person’s name and date of birth to confirm upcoming court dates.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta and Someone Is Arrested

For visitors, the experience can be especially stressful. Here’s the typical Atlanta-focused approach:

1. Confirm the agency involved.

   • Was the arrest made by Atlanta Police Department?
   • Or by another jurisdiction (MARTA Police, Georgia State Patrol, college campus police, or a suburban department)?

2. Find out the holding facility.

   • This may be ACDC, Fulton County Jail, or another county’s jail depending on where the arrest occurred.

3. Contact a local attorney.

   • Many visitors find it helpful to work with an Atlanta-based criminal defense lawyer who understands local courts and procedures.

4. Keep documentation.

   • Save any citations, property receipts, or paperwork you receive from officers or the jail.

Community and Legal Resources in Atlanta

If you or a family member is dealing with an arrest or detention related to the Atlanta City Detention Center, a few types of local resources are commonly helpful:

• Public Defender Services – For individuals who cannot afford a lawyer, courts in Atlanta often provide information on how to apply for a court-appointed attorney.
• Legal Aid and Advocacy Groups – Some Atlanta-area organizations focus on criminal justice, bail support, or reentry services and may offer guidance or referrals.
• Reentry and Support Programs – For those released after detention, community-based programs in Atlanta may help with employment, housing information, or counseling referrals.

When you contact any of these resources, it helps to have:

• The person’s full name and date of birth
• Any case numbers or booking numbers
• The facility where they were most recently known to be held

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• The Atlanta City Detention Center is a city-run facility in downtown Atlanta historically used for short-term detention and booking for arrests within city limits.
• People arrested in Atlanta may be held at ACDC, Fulton County Jail, or another facility, depending on current city and county practices and the nature of the charges.
• Before visiting or sending money or mail, always confirm where the person is being held and ask about current visitation, communication, and bond policies.
• For court information related to city arrests, the Atlanta Municipal Court often plays a central role in early hearings.
• When in doubt, contacting the facility directly, speaking with a local attorney, and keeping all paperwork organized are the most practical steps for navigating the process in Atlanta.