> >Oakwood Arrest Records

Oakwood Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Oakwood, Georgia?

Arrest records are public documents in Oakwood, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The Georgia Open Records Act operates under the principle that public access to such information promotes transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials.

The Oakwood Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation. These records become available to the public after processing, typically within 24-72 hours following an arrest. Members of the public seeking access to these records must submit a formal request to the appropriate custodian of records, in accordance with established procedures under Georgia law.

It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted or restricted from public access. This includes sensitive personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to ongoing investigations that might compromise law enforcement activities if disclosed.

How to Look Up Oakwood Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in Oakwood, Georgia. The Oakwood Police Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records and provides several options for public access:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Oakwood Police Department located at 4035 Walnut Circle, Oakwood, GA 30566 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) to submit a request for arrest records.
Online Access: The City of Oakwood maintains an Open Records Request portal where individuals can submit formal requests for arrest records electronically.
Written Correspondence: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail addressed to the Records Division, Oakwood Police Department, 4035 Walnut Circle, Oakwood, GA 30566.
Municipal Court Records: For cases that have proceeded to court, the Oakwood Municipal Court maintains records that may be accessed by contacting the court clerk.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information that may assist in locating the correct records.

Contents of an Oakwood Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Oakwood Police Department contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement. These records typically include:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest
Offense Information: Specific charges filed, including Georgia Code citations and offense descriptions
Arresting Officer Information: Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking Data: Processing information, including fingerprinting and photographing details
Custody Status: Information regarding detention, release on bond, or transfer to county facilities
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system
Court Information: Scheduled court appearances and assigned court (Municipal, State, or Superior)

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain information contained within arrest records may be restricted from public disclosure, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or when disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation.

Legal Uses of Arrest Records in Oakwood

Arrest records serve multiple legitimate purposes within the legal and civic framework of Oakwood. These records may be lawfully utilized for:

Background Verification: Employers conducting pre-employment screening for positions requiring high levels of public trust or security clearance
Housing Applications: Landlords evaluating rental applications in accordance with fair housing laws
Judicial Proceedings: Courts and legal professionals preparing for hearings, trials, or other judicial actions
Law Enforcement Activities: Police agencies conducting investigations or establishing patterns of criminal activity
Statistical Analysis: Government agencies compiling crime statistics and evaluating law enforcement effectiveness
Public Safety Awareness: Community members seeking information about criminal activity in their neighborhoods

It is important to note that under Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34.1, the use of arrest record information for purposes of employment decisions must be conducted in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and other applicable federal and state regulations governing background checks.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally accessible to the public, several statutory and procedural limitations exist regarding their availability and use:

Sealed Records: Records that have been sealed by court order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile Records: Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-11-701, records pertaining to juvenile offenders are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements
Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged are removed from public access
Ongoing Investigations: Information that might compromise active investigations may be temporarily withheld
Privacy Protections: Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, home addresses, and medical information is typically redacted
First Offender Act Cases: Records related to cases disposed under Georgia's First Offender Act (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60) may have restricted access

The Oakwood Police Department, located at 4035 Walnut Circle, Oakwood, GA 30566, serves as the determining authority for access to local arrest records and implements these limitations in accordance with state law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Oakwood

The process of expungement, officially termed "record restriction" in Georgia, provides a legal mechanism for limiting public access to arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, individuals may qualify for record restriction if:

The case was dismissed or nolle prossed
The individual was found not guilty by a judge or jury
The arrest occurred before July 1, 2013, and the case was not referred for prosecution
The individual successfully completed a pre-trial diversion program
The individual was convicted under Georgia's First Offender Act or Conditional Discharge and has successfully completed all requirements

To initiate the expungement process, eligible individuals must:

Obtain a certified copy of the final disposition of their case from the Oakwood Municipal Court located at 4035 Walnut Circle, Oakwood, GA 30566
Complete the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Application for Record Restriction
Submit the application and supporting documentation to the arresting agency (Oakwood Police Department)
Pay any applicable processing fees as established by state law

The review process typically takes 90-120 days, during which time the arresting agency and prosecuting attorney's office evaluate the eligibility of the request based on statutory criteria.

Fees for Obtaining Arrest Records in Oakwood

The City of Oakwood has established a fee schedule for arrest record requests in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which permits reasonable charges for search, retrieval, and copying of public records. Current fees for arrest record services include:

Standard arrest record search: $15.00 per name
Certified copies of arrest records: $25.00 per record
Expedited processing (when available): Additional $10.00 per request
Research requiring extensive time (over 15 minutes): $10.00 per quarter hour

Payment methods accepted by the Oakwood Police Department include cash, money order, and credit/debit cards for in-person requests. Online requests through the City of Oakwood Open Records portal accept credit/debit card payments only.

Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors who provide appropriate documentation of financial hardship, as determined by the records custodian in accordance with Georgia law.