Brookhaven Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Brookhaven, Georgia?
Arrest records in Brookhaven, Georgia are classified as public documents under Georgia's Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation ensures that citizens have access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within the city limits. The Georgia Open Records Act operates on the fundamental principle that government transparency is essential for public oversight and accountability.
Public access to arrest records serves multiple purposes within the community:
- It allows citizens to monitor law enforcement activities
- It provides journalists with information necessary for accurate reporting
- It enables background checks for employment or housing purposes
- It supports academic and policy research on criminal justice matters
Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or restricted if they contain sensitive information such as:
- Details about ongoing investigations
- Information that could compromise public safety
- Personal identifying information protected by privacy laws
- Records involving juveniles (governed by O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700)
The Brookhaven Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and makes them available through established procedures that balance public access rights with privacy considerations.
How to Look Up Brookhaven Arrest Records in 2025
The City of Brookhaven provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to Georgia's Open Records Act, these records must be produced within three business days of a proper request unless specifically exempted by statute.
Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following methods:
Submit an Open Records Request directly to the Brookhaven Police Department Records Division at 2665 Buford Highway, Brookhaven, GA 30324. The division operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Access the City of Brookhaven's online records portal, which allows for electronic submission of records requests. The system provides tracking capabilities and electronic delivery of documents when available.
Visit the DeKalb County Courthouse at 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030 to review court records related to arrests that have proceeded to prosecution.
Utilize public access terminals available at the Brookhaven Police Department headquarters during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record retrieval, including:
- The full name of the individual
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case number (if known)
- Date of birth or other identifying information (when permitted by law)
Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. The current fee schedule includes $0.10 per page for standard copies and administrative costs for requests requiring more than 15 minutes of staff time.
Contents of a Brookhaven Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Brookhaven Police Department contain standardized information as required by Georgia law and departmental policies. These documents serve as official accounts of law enforcement actions and typically include comprehensive details about the arrest incident.
Standard components of a Brookhaven arrest record include:
- Biographical information of the arrested individual (full legal name, date of birth, physical description, address)
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citations for alleged violations (Georgia Code references)
- Narrative description of the circumstances leading to the arrest
- Identity of arresting officer(s) and their badge numbers
- Booking information including fingerprints and photographs
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Initial appearance information and bail determination
- Detention facility assignment if applicable
Additional documentation may be attached to the primary arrest record, including:
- Officer incident reports with detailed narratives
- Witness statements collected during investigation
- Evidence inventory forms
- Miranda rights acknowledgment
- Medical screening information (with appropriate privacy protections)
- Preliminary hearing schedules and outcomes
The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) maintains a centralized database of arrest information from all jurisdictions within the state, including Brookhaven. This information is subject to strict dissemination guidelines under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34 and § 35-3-35, which govern who may access complete criminal history information.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Brookhaven
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 officially termed "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. This procedure allows for the limitation of public access to arrest records under specific qualifying circumstances.
Individuals may be eligible for record restriction in Brookhaven if:
- The case was dismissed or nolle prossed
- The individual was found not guilty by a judge or jury
- The arrest occurred without formal charges being filed within the statute of limitations
- The case was resolved through a pre-trial diversion or first offender program and successfully completed
- The conviction was for certain misdemeanors committed while the person was under 21 years of age
- The record meets other criteria established by Georgia law for restriction
The record restriction process requires:
- Submission of an application to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) through the Brookhaven Police Department or the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office
- Payment of applicable processing fees (currently $25 per request)
- Fingerprinting for positive identification
- Review by prosecutorial authorities when required by statute
- Final determination by the GBI regarding eligibility
Upon approval, restricted records are sealed from public view but remain accessible to law enforcement agencies, judicial officials, and certain employers as specified by Georgia law. The restriction process does not physically destroy records but rather limits their dissemination.
Individuals seeking record restriction may obtain assistance through:
DeKalb County District Attorney's Office
556 N. McDonough Street, Suite 700
Decatur, GA 30030
404-371-2561
DeKalb County District Attorney
Georgia Justice Project
438 Edgewood Avenue SE
Atlanta, GA 30312
404-827-0027
Georgia Justice Project
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