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Bartow County, Georgia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Bartow County, Georgia?

Arrest records are public documents in Bartow County, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the legal framework ensuring citizens' right to access governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests. The Georgia Open Records Act operates under the presumption that all government records should be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.

Members of the public may access these records through various authorized channels, including the Bartow County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Superior Court. The public nature of these records serves multiple civic purposes, including:

  • Promoting transparency in law enforcement operations
  • Enabling community awareness of criminal activity
  • Supporting accountability within the justice system
  • Facilitating background checks for employment and housing

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or restricted if they contain sensitive information protected by privacy laws or if their release could compromise ongoing investigations pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Bartow County?

Bartow County arrest records are accessible through several online platforms, in accordance with Georgia's commitment to public information accessibility. The Bartow County court system provides electronic access to certain judicial records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings.

The Georgia Department of Corrections maintains a searchable database that includes information about individuals currently incarcerated or under supervision in Bartow County. Additionally, the Georgia eCertification Portal allows authorized users to conduct name-based searches for criminal records across participating counties, including Bartow.

Online access to these records is subject to the following conditions:

  • Users may be required to create accounts on official platforms
  • Nominal fees may apply for certain searches or document retrieval
  • Some detailed information may only be available through in-person requests
  • Records may be updated periodically rather than in real-time

The Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court maintains the official repository of court records, including those related to arrests and criminal proceedings.

How to Look Up Bartow County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Bartow County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The primary methods for accessing these records include:

  1. In-person requests at the Bartow County Sheriff's Office: Bartow County Sheriff's Office 104 Zena Drive Cartersville, GA 30121 (770) 382-5050 Official Website Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

  2. Requests through the Clerk of Superior Court: Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court Frank Moore Administration & Judicial Center 135 West Cherokee Avenue, Suite 233 Cartersville, GA 30120 (770) 387-5030 Official Website Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

  3. Online searches through the Georgia eCertification Portal, which provides electronic access to court records throughout the state

  4. Utilizing the Civil and Criminal Division services for specific case information

When requesting records, individuals must provide:

  • Full name of the subject
  • Approximate date of arrest (if known)
  • Date of birth or other identifying information
  • Case number (if available)
  • Valid government-issued identification

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. Current fee schedules are available at each respective office.

Contents of a Bartow County Arrest Record

Bartow County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Georgia law and local record-keeping protocols. These official documents typically include the following elements:

  • Biographical information of the arrested individual:

    • Full legal name and any known aliases
    • Date of birth
    • Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
    • Residential address at time of arrest
    • Gender and race
  • Arrest details:

    • Date, time, and location of arrest
    • Arresting agency and officer identification
    • Booking number and processing information
    • Detention facility information
  • Criminal charge information:

    • Nature and classification of alleged offense(s)
    • Georgia Criminal Code citation(s)
    • Case number assigned by the court
    • Warrant information (if applicable)
  • Judicial processing data:

    • Court appearance dates
    • Bail or bond information
    • Disposition of charges (if resolved)
    • Sentencing information (if convicted)
  • Biometric identifiers:

    • Fingerprint classification
    • Booking photograph ("mugshot")

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense, the arresting agency's protocols, and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records maintained by the Bartow County courts system adhere to state standards for criminal justice information systems.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Bartow County

Under Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain individuals may be eligible to restrict and seal their arrest records in Bartow County through a process formerly known as expungement, now termed "record restriction." This procedure allows for the limitation of public access to arrest records under specific circumstances.

Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Bartow County include:

  • Cases resulting in non-conviction (dismissal, nolle prosequi, acquittal)
  • First offender or conditional discharge after successful completion of sentence
  • Certain misdemeanor convictions for offenses committed before the individual turned 21
  • Pardoned offenses (excluding serious violent felonies)

The record restriction process requires applicants to:

  1. Submit a Record Restriction Application to the arresting agency
  2. Provide court documentation showing case disposition
  3. Pay applicable processing fees
  4. Complete fingerprinting for identification verification

Applications for record restriction must be filed with:

Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court Frank Moore Administration & Judicial Center 135 West Cherokee Avenue, Suite 233 Cartersville, GA 30120 (770) 387-5030 Official Website

Pursuant to Georgia law, certain serious offenses are ineligible for record restriction, including violent felonies, sexual offenses, and crimes against minors. Additionally, records restricted under this process remain available to law enforcement agencies and certain employers in sensitive positions as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(2).

Search Arrest Records in Bartow County