Albany Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Albany, Georgia?
Arrest records in Albany, Georgia are classified as public records and are accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is governed by the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), which establishes the legal framework for public access to government records throughout the state. The statute mandates that records created, received, or maintained by public agencies in Georgia, including law enforcement entities in Albany, must be made available for public inspection.
The Georgia Open Records Act operates under the fundamental principle that government transparency serves the public interest. By allowing citizens to access arrest records, the law promotes:
• Accountability of law enforcement agencies • Transparency in the criminal justice system • Public awareness of criminal activity within the community • Verification of information for employment, housing, or other legitimate purposes
Pursuant to Georgia law, certain exceptions may apply to the disclosure of arrest records, particularly in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as defined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
How to Look Up Albany Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Albany arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The City of Albany and Dougherty County maintain multiple access points for record retrieval in compliance with state public records laws.
In-person requests may be submitted at the following locations:
Albany Police Department Records Division
201 W. Oglethorpe Blvd.
Albany, GA 31701
(229) 431-2100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Dougherty County Sheriff's Office
225 Pine Avenue, Suite 900
Albany, GA 31701
(229) 431-3259
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Dougherty County Clerk of Superior Court
P.O. Box 1827
Albany, GA 31702
(229) 431-2111
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
When requesting arrest records, individuals must:
• Complete a records request form specifying the information sought • Provide proper identification • Pay applicable fees as established by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71 • Allow processing time as permitted by law (typically three business days)
Written requests may be submitted via mail or email to the respective agencies. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(d), agencies must respond to requests within three business days, either by providing the records, notifying the requester of the estimated time needed to provide the records, or citing specific legal authority for denying access.
Contents of an Albany Arrest Record
Official arrest records maintained by Albany law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Georgia Bureau of Investigation protocols and state law. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and typically include the following elements:
• Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Government-issued identification numbers
• Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory authority for the arrest
- Charges filed, including Georgia Code citations
- Weapon involvement, if applicable
• Processing information:
- Booking photographs (mugshots)
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory
- Medical screening results
- Detention facility assignment
• Case disposition:
- Bond/bail information
- Court appearance dates
- Preliminary hearing outcomes
- Case status indicators
The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) maintains standardized formats for arrest records throughout the state, ensuring consistency in record-keeping across jurisdictions including Albany. These records are subject to retention schedules established by the Georgia Secretary of State's Records Management Division pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-99.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Albany
The State of Georgia provides a legal mechanism for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through a process formerly known as expungement, now officially termed "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. This statute establishes the criteria and procedures for limiting public access to arrest records in Albany and throughout Georgia.
Eligibility for record restriction in Albany is determined by specific statutory conditions:
• Cases resulting in non-conviction outcomes:
- Dismissal of charges
- Nolle prosequi (formal abandonment of prosecution)
- Acquittal by judge or jury
- Dead docket placement for at least 12 months
• First offender treatment under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60 • Conditional discharge completion under O.C.G.A. § 16-13-2 • Certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period (for offenders under 21)
The record restriction process requires:
- Submission of an application to the arresting agency (Albany Police Department or Dougherty County Sheriff's Office)
- Payment of processing fees as established by law
- Review by the prosecuting attorney's office
- Final determination by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation
When record restriction is granted, the arrest record is sealed from public view but remains accessible to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and certain employers as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(2). The restricted record will not appear in standard background checks conducted by the general public or most employers.
Individuals seeking record restriction in Albany must file applications with:
Albany Police Department Records Division
201 W. Oglethorpe Blvd.
Albany, GA 31701
Dougherty County District Attorney's Office
225 Pine Avenue, Suite 440
Albany, GA 31701
(229) 431-3233
Search Arrest Records in Albany
• Albany Police Department Records • Dougherty County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search • Georgia Bureau of Investigation Criminal History Search • Albany, GA - Pay Traffic Tickets • Dougherty County Clerk of Courts Records
