>Fayette County Arrest Records Online

Fayette County, Georgia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Fayette County, Georgia?

Arrest records are public in Fayette 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 available for inspection by any member of the public unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The Georgia Open Records Act serves to promote transparency in government operations and accountability of public officials and agencies.

Members of the public seeking arrest records may submit requests to the appropriate custodial agency. The Fayette County Sheriff's Office maintains the majority of arrest records for the county and processes requests in accordance with state law. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies must respond to open records requests within three business days of receipt.

Fayette County Sheriff's Office
155 Johnson Avenue
Fayetteville, GA 30214
Phone: (770) 716-6563
Official Website

Certain arrest records may be subject to redaction or withholding under specific exemptions outlined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, such as ongoing investigations or records that would compromise security measures. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are generally not available to the public under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700, which provides for confidentiality of juvenile proceedings.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Fayette County?

Arrest records in Fayette County are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Fayette County Sheriff's Office provides an Inmate Lookup service on their official website, allowing members of the public to search for currently incarcerated individuals and view basic arrest information.

The Fayette County Clerk of Courts maintains an electronic database of court records, including those related to criminal cases resulting from arrests. This system, accessible through the eSearch portal, permits users to search for records by name, case number, or other identifiers.

Additionally, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) maintains the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), which houses statewide criminal history information. While direct public access to this database is restricted, authorized entities may obtain records through this system. Members of the public may request their own criminal history records or those of others with proper consent through the GBI's online portal.

It should be noted that online records may not contain complete arrest information, as certain details may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws or may only be available through formal records requests. Furthermore, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the dissemination of criminal history record information is subject to specific regulations regarding who may access such information and for what purposes.

How to Look Up Fayette County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Fayette County arrest records in 2025 have several methods available to them, each with specific procedures and requirements:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Fayette County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Requestors must complete an Open Records Request form and provide proper identification. Fees for copies are assessed at $0.10 per page pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c)(2).
Online access is available through the Fayette County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup for current inmates. Historical arrest records may be searched through the Clerk of Courts electronic system. Users must register for an account to access certain features of these systems.
Written requests may be submitted via mail or email to the Records Custodian. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(d), agencies must provide estimated costs if fees will exceed $25.00.
Terminal access is provided at public access computers located in the Fayette County Public Library at 1821 Heritage Park Way, Fayetteville, GA 30214. These terminals offer limited search capabilities for public records, including basic arrest information.

For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may submit requests to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation through their GCIC division. Fingerprint-based searches provide the most accurate results and are required for certain purposes under Georgia law.

Fayette County Clerk of Courts
1 Center Drive
Fayetteville, GA 30214
Phone: (770) 716-4290
Official Website

Contents of a Fayette County Arrest Record

Fayette County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Georgia law and local procedures. These records typically include the following components:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, any known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and residential address.
Arrest details documenting the date, time, and location of the arrest, the arresting agency, officer identification, and the legal authority under which the arrest was made (e.g., warrant, probable cause).
Criminal charges filed against the individual, including the Georgia Code section(s) violated, classification of offense(s) (misdemeanor or felony), and a brief description of the alleged criminal activity.
Booking information such as the booking number, date and time of booking, and the facility where the individual was processed.
Photographic documentation in the form of a mugshot taken during the booking process, showing front and side views of the arrested individual.
Biometric data including fingerprints collected during booking and any other identifying physical characteristics or marks such as tattoos or scars.
Custody status indicating whether the individual was released on bond, the bond amount if applicable, or if the person remains in custody pending court proceedings.
Case disposition information may be included in updated records, showing the outcome of any court proceedings related to the arrest.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, law enforcement agencies are required to submit certain arrest information to the Georgia Crime Information Center within 24 hours of the arrest. This information becomes part of the state's criminal history record system and may be accessed by authorized entities according to state and federal regulations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Fayette County

The State of Georgia provides a process for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records, commonly referred to as expungement, through the Georgia Record Restriction Law (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37). In Fayette County, individuals may petition for record restriction under specific 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 (under 21 at time of conviction)

The record restriction process begins with an application submitted to the arresting agency, typically the Fayette County Sheriff's Office or local police department. For arrests occurring after July 1, 2013, many eligible cases are automatically restricted without application when the case concludes favorably (e.g., dismissal, acquittal).

For cases requiring manual application, individuals must complete the GBI Record Restriction Application form and submit it to the arresting agency along with any supporting documentation. The agency reviews the application to verify eligibility under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. If approved, the request is forwarded to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for processing at the state level.

It should be noted that record restriction does not physically destroy arrest records but rather limits their disclosure to the public. Certain government agencies, including law enforcement and the courts, may still access restricted records for official purposes. Additionally, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j)(4), employers providing care to children, the elderly, and vulnerable populations may receive information about restricted records for employment screening purposes.

Fayette County District Attorney's Office
1 Center Drive, Suite 200
Fayetteville, GA 30214
Phone: (770) 716-4250
Official Website

Search Arrest Records in Fayette County

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