Temple Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Temple, Georgia?
Arrest records are public documents in Temple, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to law enforcement activities and arrests. The statute operates under the principle that government transparency serves the public interest by allowing citizens to monitor the actions of public officials and agencies. Law enforcement agencies in Temple are required to maintain these records and make them available upon proper request, though certain exceptions may apply to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive information as outlined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
The Carroll County Sheriff's Office and Temple Police Department maintain custody of arrest records within their respective jurisdictions. These agencies process and fulfill requests for arrest information in accordance with state regulations. Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while the information is generally accessible, specific procedures must be followed to obtain these documents legally.
How to Look Up Temple Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Temple, Georgia. Individuals seeking this information may utilize the following resources:
Temple Police Department
240 Carrollton Street
Temple, GA 30179
Phone: (770) 562-3151
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Temple Police Department maintains records of arrests occurring within city limits. Requestors must complete a records request form and present valid government-issued identification. A nominal fee may apply for document reproduction in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71.
Carroll County Sheriff's Office
1000 Newnan Road
Carrollton, GA 30116
Phone: (770) 830-5888
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The Sheriff's Office processes requests for arrest records occurring in unincorporated areas of Carroll County, including some incidents in Temple. Individuals may submit requests in person or via mail with appropriate identification and payment of applicable fees.
Carroll County Clerk of Superior Court
323 Newnan Street, Room 100
Carrollton, GA 30117
Phone: (770) 830-5820
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests that have proceeded to formal charges. These records may be accessed through the clerk's public access terminals or by submitting a written request.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Justice Information Services
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
Phone: (404) 244-2639
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The GBI provides statewide criminal history information, including arrest records, through their GCIC (Georgia Crime Information Center) division. Requestors must submit fingerprints and pay the required fee as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34.
Contents of a Temple Arrest Record
Temple arrest records contain standardized information as required by Georgia law enforcement protocols. These documents typically include:
- Biographical information of the arrested individual (full legal name, date of birth, address, physical description)
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including Georgia Code citations
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Agency case number and booking identification
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Initial appearance information, including bond amount if applicable
- Detention facility information if the individual was incarcerated
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information. Juvenile arrest records are generally subject to different disclosure rules under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700 and may not be publicly accessible except under specific circumstances.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Temple
Georgia law provides mechanisms for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through a process formerly known as expungement, now officially termed "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Individuals seeking to restrict arrest records in Temple must meet specific statutory criteria:
The arrest record may be eligible for restriction if:
- The case was dismissed or nolle prossed
- The individual was acquitted of all charges by a judge or jury
- The individual completed a pre-trial diversion or first offender program successfully
- The case has been dead-docketed for more than 12 months
- The individual was convicted of certain misdemeanors while under the age of 21
The restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, typically the Temple Police Department or Carroll County Sheriff's Office. If approved at the agency level, the request is forwarded to the Georgia Crime Information Center for processing. A $25 fee applies to most record restriction requests, though fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants.
Record restriction does not physically destroy arrest records but limits their disclosure to the public. Certain government agencies, including law enforcement and judicial officials, may still access restricted records for official purposes. Additionally, certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for restriction, including serious violent felonies, sexual offenses, and DUI convictions.
Individuals with complex cases may benefit from consulting with an attorney familiar with Georgia's record restriction statutes, as the process involves strict compliance with procedural requirements and statutory deadlines.
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