Austell Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Austell, Georgia?
Arrest records are public in Austell, 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 by any member of the public. The Georgia Open Records Act serves to promote transparency in government operations and accountability of public officials by ensuring citizens have access to public records without undue impediments, except where specifically exempted by statute.
The City of Austell maintains public records in accordance with state law requirements. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy interests as permitted under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, such as social security numbers, medical information, and certain personal identifiers.
How to Look Up Austell Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Austell arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The City of Austell provides multiple methods for accessing arrest records in compliance with the Georgia Open Records Act:
- Submit an open records request to the Austell Police Department, either in person, by mail, or through their online portal
- Visit the Austell Police Department during regular business hours to request records in person
- Contact the Cobb County Clerk of Superior Court for arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings
- Access public terminals available at designated government facilities
- Submit a written request by certified mail to the records custodian
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record retrieval, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.
Austell Police Department
2901 Joe Jerkins Boulevard
Austell, GA 30106
(770) 944-4311
Official Website
Austell Municipal Court
2716 Broad Street
Austell, GA 30106
(770) 944-4303
Official Website
Contents of an Austell Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Austell Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard components of an Austell arrest record include:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
- Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
- Booking information including booking number and processing details
- Biometric data such as fingerprints and mugshot photographs
- Custody status information including bail or bond determinations
- Case disposition if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)
- Warrant information if the arrest was executed pursuant to a warrant
The Austell Municipal Court maintains records related to the judicial proceedings following arrests for violations of municipal ordinances. For felony offenses and certain misdemeanors, records may be transferred to the Cobb County Superior Court or State Court systems.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Austell
Under Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, individuals may be eligible for restriction and sealing (commonly referred to as expungement) of arrest records under certain circumstances. The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) administers the record restriction process for qualifying arrests that occurred within Austell and throughout the state.
Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Austell include:
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges (nolle prosequi)
- Cases where charges were dismissed or dropped
- Acquittals by judge or jury
- First offender or conditional discharge dispositions after successful completion of sentence
- Certain misdemeanor convictions for offenders who were under 21 years of age at the time of arrest
- Pardoned offenses (excluding serious violent felonies)
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which in Austell would be the Austell Police Department. The application must include supporting documentation demonstrating eligibility under the statute. Upon verification of eligibility, the arresting agency forwards the request to the prosecutor's office for review.
If approved, restricted records are sealed from public view but remain accessible to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and certain employers as specified by law. The restriction does not physically destroy the records but limits their disclosure to the general public.
Individuals seeking record restriction should be aware that the process involves multiple government agencies and may require several months for completion. Legal assistance is advisable but not mandatory for navigating the expungement process.
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