Arrest records in Blue Ridge, Georgia are considered public documents under Georgia's Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation ensures that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, remain accessible to citizens. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) maintains the state's criminal history record information, while local records are typically held by the Fannin County Sheriff's Office and the Blue Ridge Police Department.
Public access to these records serves multiple purposes:
Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, particularly for records that have been restricted, sealed, or expunged by court order. Additionally, juvenile records are generally not available to the public unless specifically authorized by the court. Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may also be temporarily withheld until the investigation concludes.
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking arrest records in Blue Ridge, Georgia. The following methods are available for record retrieval:
Fannin County Sheriff's Office 400 West First Street Blue Ridge, GA 30513 Phone: (706) 632-2044 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Sheriff's Office maintains records of all arrests made within Fannin County jurisdiction. Requestors may submit a written application in person during business hours. A valid government-issued photo identification is required, and fees apply according to the following schedule:
Blue Ridge Police Department 480 West First Street Blue Ridge, GA 30513 Phone: (706) 632-3451 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
For arrests made within city limits, the Police Department maintains separate records. Requests may be submitted using the department's standard records request form. Processing typically requires 3-5 business days.
Fannin County Clerk of Superior Court 400 West Main Street, Suite 101 Blue Ridge, GA 30513 Phone: (706) 632-2214 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Court records related to arrests, including indictments, accusations, and dispositions, are maintained by the Clerk's office. These records may be searched using public access terminals located in the courthouse.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Criminal History Record Information P.O. Box 370808 Decatur, GA 30037 Phone: (404) 244-2639 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The GBI maintains the central repository for all criminal history information in Georgia. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, individuals may request a criminal history record check for a fee of $25.00 per name searched.
Arrest records maintained by Blue Ridge law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Georgia law. These documents typically include:
Subject identification information:
Arrest details:
Case processing information:
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, all fingerprints and identifying data collected during the booking process are forwarded to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) within 24 hours of arrest. This information becomes part of the state's criminal history database and is accessible through authorized channels.
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. Individuals seeking to restrict access to their arrest records in Blue Ridge must comply with state procedures.
Record restriction may be available in the following circumstances:
The application process requires:
Certain serious offenses are ineligible for restriction, including:
Individuals with complex cases may benefit from legal counsel. The Mountain Regional Legal Services Office provides assistance to qualifying low-income residents:
Mountain Regional Legal Services 104 Courthouse Square, Suite A Blue Ridge, GA 30513 Phone: (706) 632-3808 Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM