Arrest records are public documents in Gordon County, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that official government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to members of the public. The statute serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding the activities of public agencies, including the Gordon County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement entities.
The Georgia Open Records Act specifically designates arrest records as public information unless they fall under specific exemptions outlined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72. These exemptions may include records related to pending investigations or those involving juveniles. Absent such exemptions, arrest records maintained by Gordon County law enforcement agencies are available for public inspection during regular business hours.
Gordon County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies and authorized third-party providers. The Gordon County official website provides information regarding the procedures for obtaining public records, including those related to arrests and incarcerations. Additionally, the Gordon County Sheriff's Office maintains a database of current inmates that may be accessed electronically.
Pursuant to Georgia's commitment to public information accessibility, the county has implemented digital systems that allow for remote access to certain arrest record information. These systems are designed in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which addresses the format and means by which public records may be disseminated. Electronic access to these records is subject to established protocols to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable privacy laws.
Members of the public seeking arrest records online should note that while basic information may be freely available, obtaining comprehensive records may require submission of a formal request and payment of prescribed fees as authorized under state law.
Gordon County residents and other interested parties may obtain arrest records through several official channels:
Gordon County Sheriff's Office: The primary repository for arrest records in the county. Requests may be submitted in person at the Sheriff's Office Records Division.
Gordon County Sheriff's Office
2700 Highway 41 South
Calhoun, GA 30701
Phone: (706) 629-1244
Gordon County Sheriff's Office website
Gordon County Clerk of Superior Court: Maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings.
Gordon County Clerk of Superior Court
101 South Piedmont Street, Suite 260
Calhoun, GA 30701
Phone: (706) 629-6838
Gordon County Courts
Public Records Request: Formal requests may be submitted through the county's public records portal. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, requests must be fulfilled within three business days if the records are available.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI): Provides statewide criminal history information that includes arrests in Gordon County.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
Phone: (404) 244-2600
GBI website
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c) and may vary based on the volume and format of records requested.
Standard arrest records maintained by Gordon County law enforcement agencies contain comprehensive information as mandated by Georgia state law. These records typically include:
The comprehensiveness of arrest records is governed by Georgia Administrative Code Rule 140-2-.02, which establishes uniform standards for criminal justice information systems throughout the state. These standards ensure consistency in record-keeping practices across all law enforcement agencies operating within Gordon County.
Under Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain individuals may be eligible to restrict public access to their arrest records through a process formerly known as expungement, now termed "record restriction." The Georgia Criminal Justice Information System (GCJIS) administers this process in coordination with local agencies.
Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Gordon County include:
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards approved applications to the Georgia Crime Information Center. For arrests occurring in Gordon County, applications must be submitted to:
Gordon County Sheriff's Office Records Division
2700 Highway 41 South
Calhoun, GA 30701
Phone: (706) 629-1244
Applicants should note that pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(d)(1), a fee of $25.00 is required for processing record restriction requests, unless waived by the court. The restriction process may take 90-180 days to complete, during which time the records remain publicly accessible.
Certain serious offenses, including violent felonies and sexual crimes, are statutorily ineligible for record restriction regardless of case disposition.