Douglas County, Georgia Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Douglas County, Georgia?
Arrest records are public documents in Douglas 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 arrest records, shall be accessible to citizens unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The Georgia Open Records Act serves to promote government transparency and accountability by ensuring public access to records created, received, or maintained by public agencies in the course of their operations.
Members of the public may request arrest records from the appropriate custodial agencies in Douglas County. These agencies are legally obligated to provide access to such records within a reasonable timeframe, typically within three business days of receipt of the request. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy interests as provided by law, such as information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or records sealed by court order.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Douglas County?
Douglas County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to certain arrest information through their official website. Additionally, the Clerk of State Court and Clerk of Superior Court maintain electronic databases of court records that may include information related to arrests.
Online access to arrest records is provided pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which authorizes agencies to provide electronic access to public records. The following online resources are available to the public:
- Inmate search databases that provide information on currently incarcerated individuals
- Court docket systems that contain information on criminal cases
- Sheriff's Office records portal for arrest reports and booking information
- Third-party aggregators that compile public record information from multiple sources
Users should note that online records may not always be comprehensive or current. For complete and verified arrest information, direct contact with the Records Division of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office is recommended.
How to Look Up Douglas County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Douglas County. Pursuant to Georgia's Open Records Act, the following procedures are available to members of the public seeking arrest record information:
- Submit an Open Records Request to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Records Division located at 8470 Earl D Lee Blvd, Douglasville, GA 30134. The division operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and can be reached at (770) 920-7129.
- Visit the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Records Division in person to complete a records request form. Staff will assist with locating the requested information.
- Submit a request via email using the official Open Records Request form available on the Sheriff's Office website. Completed forms should be sent to the designated records custodian.
- Access the online inmate search function through the Sheriff's Office website for current incarceration information.
- Utilize public access terminals available at the Douglas County Courthouse located at 8700 Hospital Drive, Douglasville, GA 30134.
- Submit a written request by mail to the Records Division with specific details about the records being sought.
Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c)(1), agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. The first 15 minutes of search and retrieval time are provided at no cost, after which a fee of $18.78 per hour applies, plus $0.10 per page for copies.
Contents of a Douglas County Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Douglas County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Pursuant to Georgia law and departmental policies, these records generally include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases or alternative names
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Residential address at the time of arrest
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Detailed description of the alleged offense(s) and corresponding Georgia Code sections
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking information including booking number and processing details
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Photographic image (mugshot) taken during the booking process
- Criminal history information if applicable and legally disclosable
- Court case number and initial appearance information
- Bail or bond amount if established
- Detention facility information if the individual was incarcerated
These records are maintained in accordance with Georgia records retention schedules as established by the Georgia Archives and Records Management Division. The completeness and format of arrest records may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the arrest and the policies of the arresting agency.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Douglas County
Under Georgia law, certain individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records restricted from public access through a process formerly known as expungement, now referred to as record restriction. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, record restriction may be available in the following circumstances:
- Arrests that did not result in a formal charge or indictment
- Cases where charges were dismissed or nolle prossed
- Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdicts)
- First offender dispositions after successful completion of sentence
- Conditional discharge dispositions after successful completion of terms
- Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, typically the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Applications must be accompanied by appropriate documentation verifying eligibility. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) makes the final determination regarding record restriction eligibility based on statutory criteria.
Individuals seeking record restriction in Douglas County should contact:
Douglas County Sheriff's Office Records Division
8470 Earl D Lee Blvd
Douglasville, GA 30134
(770) 920-7129
Official Website
Applicants should be aware that even when records are restricted from public access, they remain available to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified by Georgia law. Additionally, record restriction does not apply to records maintained by private companies that may have previously obtained and republished arrest information.
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