Information Sent Directly
Search entries
A name, location, or other value typed into a search widget is sent to the third-party provider that operates that tool. The private reference service does not store or log those search terms on its own systems.
Messages
An email or contact message is kept as needed to read it, respond, and maintain a record of the exchange. It is not shared outside the organization unless disclosure is required by law or needed to protect rights and security.
Technical Data and Cookies
When a page loads, ordinary technical information may be recorded by hosting, analytics, or advertising services. Depending on the service, that information can include:
- IP address;
- browser name and version;
- device type and operating system;
- pages viewed and time spent;
- referring site, when available; and
- timestamps connected with the request.
Cookies and similar tools
Cookies may be used to understand how visitors use the pages, maintain a feature, measure traffic, or support advertising. Browser settings can block or delete cookies. Some functions may behave differently when cookies or similar storage are disabled.
How Information Is Used
Information is used for ordinary operation, security, measurement, and service improvement. Common uses include:
- keeping the pages available and responsive;
- sending a search request to the selected partner service;
- learning which sections are useful;
- finding errors, abuse, and technical faults; and
- showing advertising that may be relevant to browsing activity.
Other Websites
The pages link to the Dougherty County jail roster, the Dougherty clerk portal, Georgia Department of Corrections services, court portals, federal locators, immigration locators, news outlets, archival resources, and third-party search tools. Once a visitor follows a link, that destination's privacy notice and data practices apply. The private reference service does not control the outside service's collection, retention, price, security, or uptime.
Advertising partners may use their own technology to observe activity across sites for interest-based advertising. That activity occurs on the partner's systems, under the partner's policies, rather than as a promise that this service can control every downstream use. The Dougherty County Sheriff's Office is an independent government destination with its own privacy practices.
Who May Receive Data
Personal data is not sold by the private reference service. It may be available to the following categories when needed for the purposes above:
- search partners that process a submitted query;
- analytics and hosting providers;
- advertising networks and measurement vendors; and
- law-enforcement or government bodies responding to a valid legal order or other lawful demand.
A third-party search provider may set its own retention and sharing rules. Review that provider's notice before submitting a query.
Security Practices
Reasonable, standard safeguards are used for information handled by the private reference service. No internet-connected system is completely secure, however, and no promise is made that a system is breach-proof or that a transmission cannot be intercepted.
Visitors Under 18
The service is intended for adults and does not knowingly collect personal information from a person under 18. If a minor submitted information, a parent or guardian may use the available contact method to ask that it be deleted, subject to any legal duty to retain it.
Choices and Data Rights
Depending on the law that applies, a person may ask about personal information handled by the private reference service. Requests can include:
- a copy of information held about the requester;
- correction of an inaccurate item;
- deletion where retention is not required; and
- an objection to or opt-out from certain processing.
These rights do not control data held by a sheriff, jail, court, corrections agency, news outlet, search partner, or other independent service. Requests may need identity verification and may be limited by law.
Notice Changes
This Privacy Notice may be revised as the service, partners, or legal requirements change. A revised version takes effect when posted, with a new effective date when appropriate. The current effective date is August 17, 2026.
Questions about this notice may be sent through Contact Us.