Coweta County, Georgia Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Coweta County, Georgia?
Arrest records are public documents in Coweta 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 those documenting arrests, shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of the state during regular office hours. The Georgia Open Records Act serves to promote government transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities.
The Coweta County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to document all arrests within their jurisdiction. Members of the public seeking arrest information may obtain these records through established procedures, subject to certain exemptions that protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
Law enforcement agencies in Coweta County are required to maintain accurate and complete arrest records that document the legal basis for detention, charges filed, and subsequent case disposition. These records form an essential component of the criminal justice system's documentation and provide valuable information for public safety assessment.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Coweta County?
Coweta County provides digital access to certain arrest records through official government portals. The Coweta County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that allows members of the public to search for arrest information. This service is provided in accordance with Georgia's commitment to government transparency while balancing privacy concerns as mandated by state law.
The online system permits searches using various criteria, including:
- Name of the arrested individual
- Date range of arrest
- Case or booking number
- Type of offense
Users should note that online records may not contain complete arrest information. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public-facing databases, including Social Security numbers, driver's license information, and certain medical data. Additionally, records subject to expungement or sealing orders will not appear in public databases.
The Coweta County Sheriff's Office updates the online arrest database regularly, though there may be a delay between an arrest and its appearance in the system due to administrative processing requirements. For the most current information, direct inquiries to the Records Division may be necessary.
How to Look Up Coweta County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Coweta County. Individuals seeking this information may utilize the following methods:
In-Person Requests: The Coweta County Sheriff's Office Records Division accepts in-person requests during regular business hours. Requestors must complete a standard records request form and provide proper identification.
Coweta County Sheriff's Office 560 Greison Trail Newnan, GA 30263 Phone: (770) 253-1502 Coweta County Sheriff's Office
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Online Access: The Sheriff's Office maintains a digital portal through which certain arrest records can be accessed. This system allows for searches by name, date of arrest, and case number.
Mail Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Records Division at the address listed above. All mail requests must include:
- Full name of the subject
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest
- Requestor's contact information
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for response
- Required fees (currently $5.00 per record)
Georgia Bureau of Investigation: For comprehensive criminal history information, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), which provides statewide criminal history records.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation 3121 Panthersville Road Decatur, GA 30034 Phone: (404) 244-2600 Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain probation services may also maintain records related to arrests within their jurisdiction.
Contents of a Coweta County Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Coweta County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Georgia law. These documents typically include:
Biographical Information:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Any known aliases or previous names
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity (as categorized by arresting officer)
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residence address at time of arrest
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location where arrest occurred
- Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Agency responsible for arrest
- Legal authority for arrest (warrant number if applicable)
- Miranda rights acknowledgment
Offense Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Georgia Code section(s) allegedly violated
- Brief description of alleged criminal activity
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor)
- Weapon involvement (if applicable)
Processing Information:
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory
- Medical screening results (non-confidential portions)
- Bail or bond amount set
- Court appearance date
Case Disposition:
- Outcome of initial appearance
- Detention status
- Case number assigned
- Court of jurisdiction
These records are maintained in accordance with Georgia Records Retention Schedules as established by the Georgia Archives and Records Management Division pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-90 et seq.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Coweta County
Under Georgia law, certain individuals may qualify to have arrest records restricted from public view through a process formerly known as expungement and now referred to as record restriction. The Georgia Criminal Record Restriction Law (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37) establishes the criteria and procedures for this process.
Eligibility for record restriction in Coweta County typically requires one of the following conditions:
- Arrest did not result in formal charges
- Charges were dismissed or nolle prossed
- Case resulted in acquittal (not guilty verdict)
- Completion of a pre-trial diversion program
- First offender or conditional discharge after successful completion of sentence
The restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards the request to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) after verification. For arrests occurring in Coweta County, applications must be submitted to:
Coweta County Sheriff's Office Records Division 560 Greison Trail Newnan, GA 30263 Phone: (770) 253-1502
Application fees may apply, currently set at $25 per request. Fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants upon submission of appropriate documentation.
Certain serious offenses are ineligible for restriction under Georgia law, including most violent felonies, sexual offenses, and crimes against children. Additionally, arrests resulting in conviction cannot be restricted unless the conviction has been pardoned.
Successful record restriction prevents the arrest information from appearing in public databases and background checks conducted by private employers. However, the information remains available to law enforcement agencies and certain employers in sensitive positions as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(d)(1).
Search Arrest Records in Coweta County
