Fairburn Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Fairburn, Georgia?
Arrest records are public documents in Fairburn, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This comprehensive legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within the jurisdiction. The Georgia Open Records Act operates under the presumption that all government records should be available for inspection by any member of the public, with certain limited exceptions designed to protect privacy, ongoing investigations, and national security.
Law enforcement agencies in Fairburn are required to maintain these records and make them accessible upon proper request. The public nature of these documents serves multiple civic purposes, including:
- Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
- Facilitating accountability of public officials
- Allowing citizens to monitor the activities of government agencies
- Supporting journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice
- Enabling background checks for employment and housing purposes
Requesters seeking arrest records do not need to provide identification or state a purpose for their request, though agencies may require written requests for processing purposes. Standard fees for reproduction of records may apply in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71.
How to Look Up Fairburn Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Fairburn, Georgia. Individuals may utilize any of the following methods to obtain this information:
Fairburn Police Department 320 NW Broad Street Fairburn, GA 30213 Phone: (770) 964-1441 Fairburn Police Department Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Police Department maintains physical records of arrests within city limits. Requesters may submit an Open Records Request form in person or via mail. Processing typically requires 3-5 business days, and standard fees apply for document reproduction.
Fulton County Sheriff's Office 185 Central Avenue SW Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 612-5100 Fulton County Sheriff's Office Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
The Sheriff's Office maintains county-wide arrest records, including those from Fairburn. Records may be requested in person, by mail, or through their online portal. Identification may be required for certain types of requests.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) 3121 Panthersville Road Decatur, GA 30034 Phone: (404) 244-2600 Georgia Bureau of Investigation Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The GBI maintains the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), which houses statewide criminal history information. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, authorized entities may request criminal history records for employment, licensing, or other official purposes.
Georgia Department of Corrections 300 Patrol Road Forsyth, GA 31029 Phone: (478) 992-5101 Georgia Department of Corrections Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
For individuals currently incarcerated or under supervision, the Department of Corrections maintains records accessible through their Offender Query system.
Contents of a Fairburn Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by Fairburn law enforcement agencies contain specific categories of information as mandated by Georgia state law. These records typically include the following elements:
Subject identification information:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Fingerprint classification when available
Arrest details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Geographic location where the arrest occurred
- Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Agency responsible for the arrest
- Statutory authority under which the arrest was made
Offense information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Georgia Code sections allegedly violated
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or violation)
- Brief narrative of the alleged criminal activity
- Presence of weapons or contraband
Case processing information:
- Booking number and facility
- Court docket number when assigned
- Bail or bond amount established
- Detention status
- Initial appearance date
- Preliminary hearing schedule
Visual documentation:
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Evidence photographs when applicable
- Body camera or dashboard camera references
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to victims of certain crimes.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Fairburn
The State of Georgia provides legal mechanisms for the restriction and sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances through a process formerly known as expungement and now officially termed "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Individuals seeking to restrict access to their Fairburn arrest records must navigate this statutory framework.
Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Fairburn include:
Cases resulting in non-conviction outcomes:
- Dismissal of charges
- Nolle prosequi determinations
- Not guilty verdicts
- Cases dead docketed for more than 12 months
- Completion of pre-trial diversion or first offender programs
Time-based eligibility:
- Misdemeanor convictions committed before age 21 (after 5-year waiting period)
- Certain non-violent felony convictions (subject to judicial discretion)
- Pardoned offenses (excluding serious violent felonies)
The record restriction process requires:
- Submission of an application to the arresting agency (Fairburn Police Department)
- Payment of processing fees ($25-$50, subject to change)
- Fingerprinting for identity verification
- Review by the prosecuting attorney's office
- Final determination by the Georgia Crime Information Center
Successful record restriction prevents the arrest record from appearing in standard background checks conducted by employers, housing providers, and educational institutions. However, the information remains accessible to law enforcement agencies, judicial officials, and certain licensed professions as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i).
Individuals with complex cases may benefit from legal representation during this process. The Georgia Justice Project offers assistance with record restriction applications:
Georgia Justice Project 438 Edgewood Avenue SE Atlanta, GA 30312 Phone: (404) 827-0027 Georgia Justice Project Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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