Whigham Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Whigham, Georgia?
Pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), arrest records are public documents in Whigham, Georgia. This legislation establishes that records maintained by public agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be available for inspection by any citizen of the state during normal business hours. The statute specifically includes arrest records among those documents classified as public records.
The Georgia Open Records Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials. By maintaining open access to arrest records, the statute enables citizens to monitor law enforcement activities and judicial proceedings within their communities. This transparency is fundamental to the democratic process and helps ensure that governmental agencies operate within the parameters established by law.
Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information contained within these records may be redacted to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations. The Georgia Open Records Act provides specific exemptions for sensitive information, including but not limited to, social security numbers, medical information, and details that might compromise ongoing law enforcement activities.
How to Look Up Whigham Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methodologies exist for accessing arrest records in Whigham, Georgia. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:
In-Person Requests at the Grady County Sheriff's Office
- Located at 250 North Broad Street, Cairo, GA 39828
- Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Telephone: (229) 377-3597
- Requestors must complete a standard records request form and may be required to present identification
Whigham Municipal Court
- Located at 126 East Broad Avenue, Whigham, GA 39897
- Operating hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Telephone: (229) 762-4121
- Court records related to arrests within municipal jurisdiction are maintained at this location
Grady County Courthouse
- Located at 250 North Broad Street, Cairo, GA 39828
- Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Telephone: (229) 377-2912
- Superior Court records may contain information regarding felony arrests and subsequent proceedings
Online Access Through Official Portals
- The Grady County Sheriff's Office maintains an official website where certain public records may be accessible
- Electronic access may require registration and potential nominal fees for document retrieval
- Digital records are typically updated within 48-72 hours of processing
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may impose reasonable charges for search, retrieval, and copying of records. These fees shall not exceed the prorated hourly salary of the lowest paid full-time employee capable of performing the request. Advance notice of estimated costs may be provided before processing extensive requests.
Contents of a Whigham Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Whigham, Georgia typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Georgia Bureau of Investigation protocols. These documents generally include the following elements:
Biographical Information
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Any known aliases or previous names
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color
- Residential address (may be partially redacted in public versions)
- Gender and race as identified by arresting officer
Arrest Details
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Agency responsible for the arrest (e.g., Whigham Police Department, Grady County Sheriff's Office)
- Circumstances leading to the arrest (brief narrative)
- Whether force was used during apprehension
Criminal Charges
- Specific statutory violations alleged
- Classification of offenses (misdemeanor or felony)
- Case numbers assigned by the arresting agency
- Court of jurisdiction for the alleged offense(s)
Processing Information
- Booking number and facility where processing occurred
- Fingerprint identification data
- Mugshot photographs (frontal and profile views)
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Bail or bond information, if applicable
Disposition Status
- Current status of the case (pending, dismissed, convicted)
- Court dates and appearances
- Final adjudication information, if resolved
In accordance with Georgia law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information. Additionally, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, criminal history record information may have restricted access depending on the requestor's status and purpose.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Whigham
The State of Georgia provides statutory mechanisms for the restriction and sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, individuals may petition for record restriction (formerly known as expungement) when certain conditions are met.
Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Whigham include:
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges
- Cases where charges were dismissed or nolle prossed
- Instances where the individual was acquitted of all charges
- First-offender dispositions after successful completion of probation
- Certain misdemeanor convictions for individuals under 21 years of age at the time of arrest
The procedure for requesting record restriction involves:
- Submission of a formal application to the arresting agency (Whigham Police Department or Grady County Sheriff's Office)
- Payment of applicable processing fees (currently $25-50, subject to change)
- Verification of eligibility by the prosecuting attorney's office
- Review by the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC)
- Judicial approval in certain cases requiring court intervention
Upon approval, restricted records are sealed from public view but remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j). The restriction process does not physically destroy records but limits their disclosure to authorized entities.
Individuals seeking record restriction should be aware that the process typically takes 90-120 days for completion. Additionally, certain serious offenses, including violent felonies and sexual crimes, are statutorily ineligible for restriction regardless of case outcome.
Legal assistance is advisable when navigating the record restriction process, as procedural requirements are stringent and vary based on the specific circumstances of each case.
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