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Doraville Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Doraville, Georgia?

Arrest records in Doraville, 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 that public records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be available for inspection by any member of the public. The Georgia Open Records Act serves as a fundamental mechanism for ensuring transparency in governmental operations and accountability within the criminal justice system.

The City of Doraville maintains these records in accordance with state regulations that govern the retention and accessibility of public documents. Individuals seeking arrest information may submit formal requests to the appropriate municipal departments. The Doraville Police Department, as the primary law enforcement agency within the jurisdiction, serves as the principal custodian of arrest records generated within city limits.

It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information contained within these documents may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Georgia law. Such protected information typically includes Social Security numbers, medical information, and other personally identifiable data as specified in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.

How to Look Up Doraville Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Doraville. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access to these documents:

  • In-Person Requests at the Police Department: Citizens may obtain arrest records by visiting the Doraville Police Department Records Division located at 3750 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340. The Records Division maintains public office hours Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and can be reached at (770) 455-1000. Requestors must complete a standard Open Records Request form and may be required to present identification.

  • DeKalb County Court Records: As Doraville falls within DeKalb County jurisdiction, arrest records may also be accessed through the DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court located at 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030. The Clerk's Office operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and can be contacted at (404) 371-2836.

  • Online Open Records Portal: The City of Doraville maintains an electronic system for Open Records Requests through which citizens may submit formal applications for arrest records. This system operates in compliance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which establishes protocols for the submission and processing of public records requests.

  • Municipal Court Records: The Doraville Municipal Court located at 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340, maintains records pertaining to cases processed through its system. The court can be contacted at (770) 455-1001 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Pursuant to Georgia law, agencies may assess reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying services associated with fulfilling records requests. These fees are calculated in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c) and must reflect the actual cost of providing the requested documents.

Contents of a Doraville Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Doraville Police Department and associated agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Georgia law and departmental policies. These official documents typically include the following elements:

  • Biographical Information: The full legal name of the arrested individual, any documented aliases or known pseudonyms, date of birth, place of birth, gender, race, and other identifying characteristics.

  • Physical Descriptors: A detailed physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and distinguishing features such as scars, marks, or tattoos that may assist in positive identification.

  • Photographic Documentation: A booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot") taken at the time of processing into police custody.

  • Biometric Data: Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process, which are subsequently entered into local, state, and federal identification databases in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33.

  • Offense Information: A detailed account of the criminal charges filed against the individual, including the specific Georgia Code sections alleged to have been violated, the classification of offenses (misdemeanor or felony), and the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

  • Jurisdictional Data: Information identifying the arresting agency, the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s), the date and precise location where the arrest occurred, and the geographical jurisdiction in which the alleged offense took place.

  • Case Processing Details: The assigned case number, booking date and time, custody status, bail determination, and preliminary court appearance information.

  • Disposition Information: The ultimate resolution of the case, which may include prosecution outcomes, court judgments, sentencing details, or case dismissal information when available.

It should be noted that pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain sensitive information contained within arrest records may be redacted prior to public disclosure to protect privacy interests and prevent identity theft.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Doraville

The State of Georgia provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the restriction and sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. This process, governed by O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, is formally known as record restriction (previously referred to as expungement).

Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Doraville include:

  • Arrests that did not result in formal charges being filed
  • Cases that were dismissed prior to indictment or accusation
  • Situations where the grand jury returned two no bills
  • Instances where the prosecuting attorney filed an order of nolle prosequi
  • Cases resulting in acquittal by judge or jury
  • First offender dispositions successfully completed pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60
  • Conditional discharge dispositions successfully completed under O.C.G.A. § 16-13-2

The formal process for requesting record restriction requires the submission of an application to the arresting agency, which in Doraville would be the Doraville Police Department. The department is located at 3750 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340 and can be reached at (770) 455-1000. Applications must be accompanied by proper identification and any supporting documentation relevant to the case.

Upon receipt of a valid application, the Doraville Police Department will review the request in accordance with statutory guidelines. If approved, the department will forward the restriction request to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) for processing at the state level. The GCIC, located at 3121 Panthersville Road, Decatur, GA 30034, serves as the central repository for criminal history information in Georgia.

It should be noted that record restriction does not result in the physical destruction of arrest records. Rather, restricted records are sealed from public view while remaining accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain authorized entities as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(5).

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