Roswell Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Roswell, Georgia?
Arrest records are public documents in Roswell, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the framework for public access to government records, including those related to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within the city limits. The Georgia Open Records Act operates under the presumption that all government records should be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.
The Roswell Police Department maintains these records as part of their official documentation of law enforcement activities. Members of the public may request access to these records for various purposes, including background checks, personal information, or research. The public nature of these records serves to promote transparency in the criminal justice system and allows citizens to monitor law enforcement activities within their community.
It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as provided by law, such as the identities of victims in certain cases or information related to ongoing investigations.
How to Look Up Roswell Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for members of the public to access arrest records in Roswell, Georgia. The Roswell Police Department serves as the primary custodian of these records and provides several options for retrieval:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Records Division of the Roswell Police Department, located at 39 Hill Street, Roswell, GA 30075. The Records Division operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Written requests can be submitted via mail to the same address, with appropriate identification and specific information about the records being requested.
The Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings at 136 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303.
Online access is available through the Roswell Police Department's website, which provides limited information about recent arrests and incidents.
Third-party background check services may also provide access to Roswell arrest records, though these services may charge fees and the information may not be as current or complete as official sources.
When requesting arrest records, individuals must provide sufficient identifying information, including the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.
Contents of a Roswell Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Roswell Police Department typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard components of these records include:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, physical description, address, and sometimes Social Security Number (partially redacted in public copies)
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest within Roswell city limits
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including Georgia Code citations and charge descriptions
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) and their affiliated department
Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing at the detention facility
Fingerprint records collected during the booking process
Narrative description of the circumstances leading to the arrest, often including witness statements and officer observations
Property inventory listing items in the arrestee's possession at the time of booking
Initial appearance information, including bail or bond amounts if applicable
Case disposition information, if available, indicating the current status of charges
The level of detail in publicly accessible versions of these records may vary based on the status of the case, privacy considerations, and applicable exemptions under the Georgia Open Records Act. Juvenile arrest records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Roswell
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. This process allows for the limitation of public access to arrest records under specific circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Roswell include:
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges being filed
- Cases where charges were dismissed or nolle prossed
- Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdicts)
- First offender dispositions after successful completion of sentence
- Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders (under 21 at time of offense)
- Certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period of four years with no subsequent arrests
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) through the arresting agency. For Roswell arrests, this process begins at:
Roswell Police Department Records Division
39 Hill Street
Roswell, GA 30075
Phone: (770) 640-4100
Roswell Police Department
Applicants must complete the appropriate forms and pay any required fees, which may include a $25 fee to the GBI plus local processing fees. Upon approval, the records are restricted from public view but remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified by Georgia law.
It should be noted that record restriction does not physically destroy the arrest record but rather limits its disclosure to the general public. Additionally, certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for restriction, including serious violent felonies, sex offenses, and DUI charges.
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