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Cairo Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cairo, Georgia?

Arrest records in Cairo, Georgia are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to Georgia's Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the public's right to inspect, extract, and copy all public records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities operating within Cairo and Grady County jurisdictions. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, local police departments, and the Grady County Sheriff's Office maintain these records in accordance with state regulations governing record retention and public accessibility.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and civic purposes, including:

Promoting transparency in law enforcement operations
Enabling community awareness of public safety matters
Facilitating background checks for employment and housing
Supporting journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice
Ensuring accountability of public officials and law enforcement personnel

Certain limitations may apply to the disclosure of arrest records in specific circumstances as prescribed by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, particularly when records pertain to ongoing investigations or contain sensitive information protected by privacy statutes.

How to Look Up Cairo Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Cairo, Georgia. The Grady County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of arrest records for the jurisdiction. Individuals seeking arrest record information may utilize the following methods:

In-person requests at the Grady County Sheriff's Office located at 33 17th Ave NW, Cairo, GA 39827. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Written requests submitted via postal mail to: Grady County Sheriff's Office 33 17th Ave NW Cairo, GA 39827 (229) 377-1512 Grady County Sheriff's Office
Electronic requests through the Grady County government portal, which provides digital access to public records in compliance with Georgia's electronic records provisions.
Terminal access at designated public computer stations located within the Grady County Courthouse at 250 North Broad Street, Cairo, GA 39828.

Requestors must provide sufficient identifying information to locate specific records, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may assess reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and reproduction of records, not to exceed $0.10 per page for standard document reproduction.

Contents of a Cairo Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Cairo law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as mandated by Georgia Bureau of Investigation protocols and state record-keeping requirements. Standard arrest records typically include the following categories of information:

Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and residential address
Unique identifiers including state identification numbers, FBI numbers, and local booking identifiers
Date, time, and geographic location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses
Arresting agency information and badge numbers of arresting officers
Booking photographs ("mugshots") captured during processing
Fingerprint impressions collected during booking procedures
Custody status information, including bond amounts if applicable
Court docket numbers for associated criminal proceedings
Disposition information if the case has reached conclusion

The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) maintains standardized formats for arrest records to ensure consistency across jurisdictions and facilitate information sharing between law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Records are maintained in both physical and digital formats, with increasing emphasis on electronic record-keeping systems that enhance searchability and preservation.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cairo

The State of Georgia provides statutory 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 public access to arrest records in Cairo must comply with state procedures administered through the Grady County judicial system.

Record restriction may be available in the following circumstances:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges
Cases resulting in dismissal or nolle prosequi
Cases resolved through pretrial diversion or first offender programs
Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders
Cases resulting in acquittal or not guilty verdicts

The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards eligible requests to the Georgia Crime Information Center. For cases involving court proceedings, petitioners must file through the Grady County Magistrate Court:

Grady County Magistrate Court 250 North Broad Street, Suite 2 Cairo, GA 39828 (229) 377-3141 Grady County Magistrate Court

Applicants must submit fingerprints for identification verification and pay applicable processing fees. Upon approval, records are restricted from public disclosure but remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(2). The restriction process does not physically destroy records but limits their dissemination to authorized entities.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Georgia

The management and accessibility of arrest records in Cairo operate within a comprehensive legal framework established by Georgia state law. The primary statutory authorities governing these records include:

Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 through § 50-18-77), which establishes the presumption of public access to government records
Georgia Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-90 through § 50-18-103), which governs the retention and preservation requirements for public records
Criminal Justice Information System regulations (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-30 through § 35-3-40), which establish protocols for criminal history record information
Privacy Protection Act provisions (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-910 through § 10-1-915), which provide safeguards against identity theft through improper disclosure

Law enforcement agencies in Cairo must maintain compliance with these statutory requirements while balancing public access rights against privacy considerations. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation provides oversight and technical assistance to local agencies regarding proper record management practices.

Records custodians must respond to requests within three business days as required by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(b)(1)(A), either by providing the requested records or furnishing a timeline for when records will be available. Agencies may withhold certain categories of information as specified in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, including ongoing investigation materials and personally identifiable information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.