Arrest records are public documents in Gwinnett County, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that all public records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Georgia Open Records Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability within law enforcement agencies operating in Gwinnett County.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Georgia law. Such protected information typically includes Social Security numbers, financial account information, and certain medical information. The custodian of records is required by law to provide access to the non-exempt portions of arrest records within a reasonable timeframe following receipt of a proper request.
Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office
2900 University Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
770-822-3140
Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office
Gwinnett County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Gwinnett County government provides digital access to certain public records, including arrest information, through its official website. Additionally, the Georgia Department of Corrections maintains a searchable database containing information about individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system.
Online accessibility of arrest records is subject to the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, which outlines exceptions to disclosure. While the majority of arrest record information is available electronically, certain details may be withheld or redacted in accordance with statutory privacy protections. Users of online systems should note that the most comprehensive and current information may still require direct contact with the records custodian at the appropriate agency.
The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), operated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, serves as the central repository for criminal history record information in the state. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain criminal history records may be obtained through the GCIC by authorized entities and, in some cases, by members of the general public.
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Gwinnett County. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following procedures:
In-Person Requests: Requestors may visit the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) to submit a records request. Proper identification is required, and applicable fees must be paid at the time of request.
Online Access: The Gwinnett County electronic records portal provides 24-hour access to certain arrest records. Users must create an account and may be required to pay processing fees for document retrieval.
Written Requests: Formal written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division of the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office. All written requests must include the requestor's contact information, specific details about the records being sought, and a notarized signature if requesting records containing sensitive information.
Georgia Department of Corrections: For individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system, records may be obtained through the Georgia Department of Corrections online offender database or by contacting their central office at (404) 656-4661.
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. Current fee schedules are available at the respective agencies' offices and websites.
Gwinnett County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances of an individual's arrest and subsequent processing through the criminal justice system. Standard components of these records include:
The Gwinnett County Criminal Justice Information System maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Georgia Secretary of State's Office. Records are preserved in both electronic and physical formats, with retention periods varying based on case disposition and severity of charges.
Law enforcement agencies in Gwinnett County utilize standardized arrest record formats in compliance with the Georgia Criminal Justice Information System Network requirements, ensuring consistency in record-keeping practices across jurisdictions.
Under Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain individuals may be eligible to restrict access to or expunge their arrest records in Gwinnett County. The process, formally known as record restriction, applies under specific circumstances:
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards the request to the Georgia Crime Information Center for processing. For arrests occurring in Gwinnett County, applications must be submitted to:
Gwinnett County Solicitor's Office
75 Langley Drive
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770-822-8300
Applicants should be aware that certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for record restriction, including serious violent felonies, sexual offenses, and certain crimes against minors. Additionally, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j)(1), even restricted records remain accessible to criminal justice agencies, certain licensing boards, and specific employers as authorized by law.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation assesses a processing fee for record restriction applications, currently set at $25 per request. Fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants upon submission of appropriate documentation of financial hardship.