Arrest records in Carrollton, Georgia are classified as public records pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that all public records, including those documenting arrests within the jurisdiction, shall be available for inspection and copying by members of the public. The Georgia Open Records Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability in law enforcement activities throughout the state.
The Carroll County Sheriff's Office and the Carrollton Police Department maintain arrest records as part of their official duties. These records become public documents upon creation and are subject to disclosure requirements under state law. Certain exceptions may apply to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive information as provided in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Carrollton. Members of the public seeking such information may utilize the following resources:
Carrollton Police Department: Individuals may submit requests for arrest records directly to the records division of the Carrollton Police Department.
Carrollton Police Department
115 West Center Street
Carrollton, GA 30117
Phone: (770) 834-4451
Carrollton Police Department Official Website
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Carroll County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive records of arrests conducted within county jurisdiction.
Carroll County Sheriff's Office
1000 Newnan Road
Carrollton, GA 30116
Phone: (770) 830-5888
Carroll County Sheriff's Office
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Carroll County Clerk of Superior Court: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings are maintained by this office.
Carroll County Clerk of Superior Court
323 Newnan Street, Room 100
Carrollton, GA 30117
Phone: (770) 830-5820
Carroll County Clerk's Office
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC): The GCIC maintains a statewide database of arrest records that may be accessed through authorized channels.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
Phone: (404) 244-2600
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Requests for arrest records must be submitted in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which outlines procedures for public records requests. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying services as permitted by law.
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Carrollton typically contain the following standardized information as required by Georgia law:
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain information contained within arrest records may be redacted prior to public disclosure, particularly information that could compromise ongoing investigations or endanger individuals involved in the case.
The State of Georgia utilizes the term "record restriction" rather than expungement, as codified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Record restriction in Carrollton follows state guidelines and procedures for limiting public access to certain arrest records under specific circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Carrollton include:
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which in Carrollton would be either the Carrollton Police Department or the Carroll County Sheriff's Office. The application must include:
Upon receipt of a complete application, the law enforcement agency forwards the request to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Georgia Crime Information Center for processing pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(d). The GCIC reviews the application and, if approved, restricts access to the record in the state's criminal history database.
It should be noted that record restriction does not physically destroy arrest records but rather limits their disclosure to the general public. Certain governmental agencies, including law enforcement and judicial authorities, may still access restricted records for official purposes as permitted by law.