Baldwin County, Georgia Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Baldwin County, Georgia?
Arrest records are public in Baldwin County, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that all public records, including arrest records, shall be available for inspection and copying by any member of the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Georgia Open Records Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations, maintain public safety, and ensure accountability within the criminal justice system.
Members of the public seeking arrest records may submit a written request to the appropriate law enforcement agency or court clerk. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies must respond to such requests within three business days. If records cannot be produced within this timeframe, the agency must provide a written description of such records and a timeline for their availability.
The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duties under Georgia law. Certain information may be redacted from public arrest records to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or juvenile offenders as specified in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Baldwin County?
Arrest records can be found online in Baldwin County through several official digital platforms. The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that allows public access to current inmate information and recent booking data. This digital accessibility is authorized under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70(b)(2), which permits agencies to provide electronic access to public records.
The online system provides basic arrest information including:
- Name of the arrested individual
- Booking date and time
- Charges filed
- Bond information
- Court dates when available
Users should note that online records may not contain complete arrest history information. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, comprehensive criminal history records may require submission of fingerprints and payment of statutory fees through the Georgia Crime Information Center.
The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office maintains these online records at:
Baldwin County Sheriff's Office
120 North Liberty Street
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone: (478) 445-4891
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
How to Look Up Baldwin County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods are available for accessing Baldwin County arrest records in 2025, as established by Georgia's public records statutes. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following procedures:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Requestors must complete a standard records request form and present valid government-issued identification. Fees for copies are assessed pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c)(1), which permits charging reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.
Online access is available through the Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Query for individuals who have been processed into the state correctional system. This service provides information on current inmates and those released within the past five years.
The Baldwin County Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent case dispositions. These records may be accessed through:
Baldwin County Clerk of Superior Court
121 North Wilkinson Street, Suite 119
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone: (478) 445-4785
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Written requests may be submitted by mail to either the Sheriff's Office or Clerk of Court. Requests must include the subject's full name, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. Agencies may require payment of fees before processing requests in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71.
Contents of a Baldwin County Arrest Record
Baldwin County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Georgia law and criminal justice protocols. These official documents typically include the following elements:
Biographical information encompasses the arrestee's full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and residential address. This information is collected during the booking process pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, which requires law enforcement agencies to obtain identifying information.
Arrest details document the date, time, and location of the arrest, the arresting agency and officer's name, and the legal authority under which the arrest was made. This section also includes the incident report number for cross-reference purposes.
Criminal charges are listed with corresponding Georgia Code sections, charge severity (felony or misdemeanor), and a brief description of each alleged offense. Multiple charges may be listed if applicable.
Case processing information includes:
- Booking number and date
- Fingerprint identification number
- Mugshot photographs (frontal and profile views)
- Property inventory
- Medical screening notes
- Bond amount and type (if granted)
- Court appearance dates
- Case disposition information
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain information may be restricted from public view, including records that have been sealed or expunged by court order, juvenile records protected under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-79.2, and information related to victims of certain crimes.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Baldwin County
The expungement process in Baldwin County follows Georgia's record restriction laws as codified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Record restriction (formerly called expungement) allows for the limiting of public access to certain arrest records under specific circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Baldwin County include:
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges
- Cases where charges were dismissed or nolle prossed
- Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdicts)
- First offender act dispositions after successful completion of sentence
- Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders (under 21 at time of offense)
- Pardoned offenses (in limited circumstances)
The application process requires submission of a Record Restriction Application to the arresting agency, typically the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office. If the arrest occurred more than 90 days ago and no charges were filed, the application may be submitted directly to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(d)(1), a $25.00 application fee applies to each request, though fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants. Processing typically requires 90-180 days for completion.
Individuals seeking record restriction should note that certain offenses are ineligible for expungement under Georgia law, including serious violent felonies, sexual offenses, and DUI convictions. Additionally, expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(2).
Applications for record restriction may be obtained from:
Baldwin County Sheriff's Office Records Division
120 North Liberty Street
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone: (478) 445-4891
Search Arrest Records in Baldwin County
