Lake Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Lake, Georgia?
Yes, arrest records are public in Lake, Georgia. This accessibility is governed by the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), which establishes the public's right to access government records maintained by public agencies. Pursuant to this legislation, arrest records maintained by the Lake City Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within Clayton County are considered public documents. The Georgia Open Records Act specifically designates law enforcement records, including arrest reports, as public information subject to disclosure, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations or matters of public safety as outlined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
Members of the public seeking arrest records must submit their requests to the appropriate custodian of records. The Lake City Police Department serves as the primary custodian for arrest records occurring within Lake City limits. Requests may be submitted in accordance with procedures established by the department pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which outlines the requirements for record requests and establishes timeframes for agency responses.
How to Look Up Lake Arrest Records in 2025
The Lake City Police Department maintains several methods through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following procedures:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Lake City Police Department located at 5455 Jonesboro Road, Lake City, GA 30260. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays.
Open records request forms may be submitted electronically through the Lake City government portal. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(b)(1)(A), electronic requests must include the requester's name, address, and contact information.
Written requests may be mailed to: Records Division, Lake City Police Department, 5455 Jonesboro Road, Lake City, GA 30260. All mailed requests must include specific information regarding the records sought, including names, dates, and case numbers when available.
Telephone inquiries regarding the status of records requests may be directed to the Records Division at (404) 366-8035. However, initial requests for records cannot be accepted by telephone in accordance with departmental policy.
The Lake City Police Department processes all requests in the order received. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(b)(1)(A), the department must respond to requests within three business days. If records cannot be produced within this timeframe, the department will provide a written description of such records and a timeline for their production.
Contents of a Lake Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Lake City Police Department typically contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances of an arrest. Standard arrest records include the following elements as required by Georgia Bureau of Investigation reporting standards:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known monikers
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citation of the alleged offense(s) pursuant to Georgia Code
- Arresting officer's name, badge number, and departmental affiliation
- Booking information including photographs (mugshots) and fingerprint records
- Property inventory of items in possession of the arrested individual at time of booking
- Initial appearance information and bail determination if applicable
- Case disposition information if available
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers that could facilitate identity theft or fraud. Additionally, in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 15-11-701, records pertaining to juvenile offenders are subject to stricter confidentiality provisions and may not be publicly accessible.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Lake
The State of Georgia provides a process for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. This process, formerly known as expungement, allows for the restriction of arrest records from public view under specific circumstances. Individuals seeking record restriction in Lake City must comply with the following statutory requirements:
Eligibility criteria for record restriction include:
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges (nolle prosequi)
- Cases resulting in dismissal of charges
- Acquittals by judge or jury
- Completion of pretrial diversion or first offender programs
- Certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period (pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j)(4))
The restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which in Lake City is the Lake City Police Department. Applications must be accompanied by certified court dispositions and appropriate identification. The Lake City Municipal Court, located at 5455 Jonesboro Road, Lake City, GA 30260, can provide guidance on obtaining necessary court documentation. The court may be contacted at (404) 366-8037 for information regarding specific cases.
Upon receipt of a complete application, the Lake City Police Department forwards the request to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) for processing in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(n). The GCIC determines whether the record qualifies for restriction under state law. If approved, the arrest record is restricted from public disclosure, though it remains available to law enforcement agencies and for certain employment purposes as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(2).
Individuals whose restriction requests are denied may file an appeal in the Superior Court of Clayton County within 30 days of receiving notice of denial, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(n)(5).
Search Arrest Records in Lake
Lake City Police Department
5455 Jonesboro Road
Lake City, GA 30260
(404) 366-8035
Police Department Information
Lake City Municipal Court
5455 Jonesboro Road
Lake City, GA 30260
(404) 366-8037
Municipal Court Information
