Cordele Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cordele, Georgia?

Arrest records in Cordele, Georgia are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the public's right to inspect, extract, and copy all public records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities. The Georgia Open Records Act operates under the presumption that public access to government records should be broad to ensure transparency and accountability in governmental operations.

The Crisp County Sheriff's Office and the Cordele Police Department maintain arrest records as part of their official duties. These records document the apprehension and processing of individuals suspected of criminal activity within the jurisdiction. Public access to these records serves multiple civic purposes, including:

• Enabling community awareness of local law enforcement activities
• Facilitating background checks for employment and housing
• Supporting journalistic reporting on criminal justice matters
• Providing statistical data for policy analysis and development

Certain limitations may apply to the disclosure of arrest records in specific circumstances as provided by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, particularly when records pertain to ongoing investigations or contain sensitive personal information protected by privacy statutes.

How to Look Up Cordele Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Cordele have multiple avenues through which to obtain this information. The following methods are available for accessing arrest documentation:

In-Person Requests:

• Cordele Police Department
  501 North 7th Street
  Cordele, GA 31015
  (229) 276-2921
  Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  Cordele Police Department

• Crisp County Sheriff's Office
  196 Highway 300 South
  Cordele, GA 31015
  (229) 276-2600
  Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

• Crisp County Clerk of Superior Court
  210 South 7th Street
  Cordele, GA 31015
  (229) 276-2371
  Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Online Resources:

• The City of Cordele website provides access to certain public records and information about requesting additional documentation.
• The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), which offers criminal history record information for a nominal fee.
• Third-party aggregator websites compile public records from multiple jurisdictions, though users should verify the accuracy of information obtained through these services.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. Current fee schedules are posted at each agency location and typically include:

• Administrative search and retrieval fees (not to exceed $15.00 per hour after the first quarter hour)
• Copying fees (not to exceed $0.10 per page for letter or legal size documents)
• Electronic media costs when records are provided in digital format

Contents of a Cordele Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Cordele law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Georgia law and departmental policies. These documents typically include the following elements:

• Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and residential address of the arrested individual
• Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); agency responsible for the arrest
• Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Georgia state law or local ordinances, including statute numbers and charge descriptions
• Case Processing Information: Booking number, fingerprint identification data, court case number, and initial appearance date
• Photographic Documentation: Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process, typically including front and profile views
• Detention Status: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, release conditions, or continued detention
• Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions when applicable and relevant to the current case

In accordance with Georgia law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including:

• Social Security numbers
• Driver's license numbers
• Financial account information
• Medical information protected under HIPAA
• Information pertaining to victims of certain crimes as specified in O.C.G.A. § 16-6-23

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cordele

The State of Georgia provides a legal mechanism for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through a process formerly known as expungement and now referred to as record restriction. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, individuals may petition for the restriction of arrest records under specific circumstances, including:

• Cases resulting in non-conviction (dismissal, nolle prosequi, acquittal)
• First offender or conditional discharge cases successfully completed
• Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders (under 21 at time of arrest)
• Pardoned offenses (excluding serious violent felonies and sexual offenses)

The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards eligible requests to the Georgia Crime Information Center. For arrests occurring in Cordele, the procedure typically involves:

1. Obtaining and completing the Record Restriction Application from the Cordele Police Department or Crisp County Sheriff's Office
2. Providing certified copies of court dispositions demonstrating eligibility
3. Payment of administrative processing fees (currently $25-$50)
4. Review by the prosecuting attorney's office in certain cases
5. Final determination by the Georgia Crime Information Center

It is important to note that record restriction does not completely erase all documentation of an arrest. Certain government agencies, including law enforcement and judicial entities, may still access restricted records for official purposes. Additionally, private companies that previously obtained arrest information are not required to remove such data from their systems following a restriction order.

Search Arrest Records in Cordele

• Cordele Police Department records
• City of Cordele official information
• Cordele Traffic Ticket Payment Portal