Franklin County, Georgia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Franklin County, Georgia?

Arrest records in Franklin County, Georgia are classified as public documents pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the public's right to access governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests made within county jurisdiction. The Georgia Open Records Act operates under the presumption that all government records should be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute.

Members of the public may access these records for various legitimate purposes, including:

• Background verification • Criminal history research • Public safety awareness • Legal proceedings • Statistical analysis

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and makes them available through established protocols. While certain sensitive information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as outlined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, the core arrest data remains accessible to interested parties.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Franklin County?

Franklin County arrest records are available through several online platforms in compliance with Georgia's commitment to government transparency. The county has implemented digital access systems that allow for remote retrieval of arrest information without requiring in-person visits to governmental facilities.

Online accessibility is provided through:

• The Franklin County Sheriff's Office official website • The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) portal • The Georgia Department of Corrections offender database • The Georgia Courts electronic access system

Users should note that pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain online searches may require the payment of statutory fees to access comprehensive records. Additionally, some detailed arrest information may only be available through formal requests rather than immediate online access due to verification requirements established by state law.

How to Look Up Franklin County Arrest Records in 2025

Franklin County provides multiple channels through which members of the public may obtain arrest records. Requestors seeking such information should follow established protocols to ensure proper access:

Franklin County Sheriff's Office
160 Athens Street
Carnesville, GA 30521
Phone: (706) 384-2525
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website: Franklin County Sheriff's Office

Individuals may submit requests in the following ways:

• In-Person Requests: Requestors may visit the Records Division at the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours. Photo identification is required, and standard fees apply per O.C.G.A. § 15-13-36.

• Online Portal Access: The county maintains a secure portal through which authorized users may conduct searches of arrest records. Registration is required, and usage is subject to the terms outlined in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35.

• Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court
10 Courthouse Square
Carnesville, GA 30521
Phone: (706) 384-2483
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website: Franklin County Clerk of Court

• Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
Phone: (404) 244-2600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website: Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate searches, including the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known.

Contents of a Franklin County Arrest Record

Franklin County arrest records are standardized documents containing comprehensive information about individuals taken into custody. These records are maintained in accordance with Georgia Criminal Justice Information System standards and typically include the following elements:

• Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks or tattoos

• Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; arresting officer's name and badge number; statutory authority for arrest

• Offense Information: Criminal charges filed; Georgia Code sections violated; offense classification (misdemeanor or felony); incident report numbers

• Processing Data: Booking number; fingerprint classification; mugshot photographs (frontal and profile views); personal property inventory

• Case Disposition: Bond amount and status; court appearance dates; preliminary hearing outcomes; case status indicators

• Custody Status: Current detention location or release information; supervision requirements if applicable

These records are maintained in both physical and digital formats with appropriate security protocols to ensure data integrity while allowing authorized access as permitted by O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Franklin County

The State of Georgia provides a legal mechanism for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through a process formally known as record restriction (expungement). This procedure is governed by O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 and applies to specific qualifying situations in Franklin County.

Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Franklin County include:

• Cases resulting in non-conviction (dismissal, nolle prosequi, acquittal) • First offender or conditional discharge completions • Certain misdemeanor convictions for offenders under 21 years of age • Pardoned offenses (excluding serious violent felonies) • Identity theft victims with wrongful arrests

The restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards approved requests to the Georgia Crime Information Center. For court-ordered restrictions, petitions must be filed with the Franklin County Superior Court:

Franklin County Superior Court
9 Courthouse Square
Carnesville, GA 30521
Phone: (706) 384-2483
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website: Franklin County Superior Court

Applicants should note that pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j)(1), certain governmental agencies retain access to restricted records for specific authorized purposes, including law enforcement investigations and employment screening for sensitive positions.

Successful record restriction prevents the dissemination of arrest information to private individuals and entities but does not physically destroy the records. Processing times typically range from 90-120 days following submission of a complete application package.

Search Arrest Records in Franklin County

• Georgia Department of Corrections offender search • Georgia Courts electronic records access