Arrest records are public in Colquitt County, 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 open for personal inspection and copying by any citizen of the state. The Georgia Open Records Act reflects the state's commitment to governmental transparency and public accountability.
Members of the public may access these records as a matter of statutory right, with certain limited exceptions as prescribed by law. The Colquitt County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their official duties in law enforcement documentation. Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic purposes, including community awareness, research, background verification, and journalistic reporting.
It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted or restricted in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, which provides exemptions for:
Requests for arrest records may be subject to reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying services as permitted under Georgia law.
Arrest records for Colquitt County are available online through several official channels. The Colquitt County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that provides public access to current and historical arrest information. This online accessibility is consistent with Georgia's commitment to open government and public information access as codified in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.
The online system allows for remote access to arrest records, eliminating the need for in-person visits to government offices during business hours. Users may search the database using various criteria, including:
The Georgia Courts E-Access portal provides additional online resources for court records related to arrests. While comprehensive, it should be noted that the online system may not contain all historical records, particularly those predating digital record-keeping systems.
Pursuant to Georgia law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from online records, including Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other personally identifiable data as specified in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(20).
Multiple methods are available for accessing Colquitt County arrest records in 2025. The County has implemented systems to facilitate public access while maintaining compliance with Georgia's Open Records Act.
Online Search Options:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the following locations to request arrest records in person:
Colquitt County Sheriff's Office
200 Veterans Parkway North
Moultrie, GA 31768
Phone: (229) 616-7430
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website
Colquitt County Clerk of Court
Colquitt County Courthouse
9 South Main Street, 2nd Floor, Room 214
Moultrie, GA 31768
Phone: (229) 616-7420
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website
Mail or Electronic Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to either of the above agencies. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, requests must:
Fees for record searches and copies are established in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c) and may vary based on the scope and complexity of the request.
Colquitt County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Georgia law and local protocols. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information:
Arrest Details:
Case Processing Information:
Additional Documentation:
The content and format of these records comply with the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) standards and the Uniform Crime Reporting requirements established by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The State of Georgia refers to the process of removing arrest records from public access as "record restriction" rather than expungement. This process is governed by O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 and provides eligible individuals with a mechanism to restrict public access to certain arrest records.
Record restriction in Colquitt County may be available under the following circumstances:
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, typically the Colquitt County Sheriff's Office. Applications must be filed with:
Colquitt County Sheriff's Office
Records Division
200 Veterans Parkway North
Moultrie, GA 31768
Phone: (229) 616-7430
Official Website
For cases involving court proceedings, applications may also require review by:
Colquitt County Magistrate Court
Colquitt County Courthouse Annex
101 E. Central Avenue, Office 175
Moultrie, GA 31776
Phone: (229) 616-7440
Official Website
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(d)(1), the prosecuting attorney's office must be notified of record restriction requests and has the opportunity to object. If approved, restricted records remain available to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified by law, but are removed from public access.
Applicants should be aware that record restriction does not eliminate all traces of an arrest. Federal records, private database information, and media reports may persist despite successful record restriction at the county level.