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Buchanan Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Buchanan, Georgia?

Arrest records in Buchanan, Georgia are public documents 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 arrest records, to ensure transparency in governmental operations. The Act stipulates that all public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying by any citizen of the state, except those specifically exempted by law.

The Buchanan Police Department and Haralson County Sheriff's Office maintain arrest records as part of their official duties. These records become public once they are created and filed with the appropriate agency. However, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal identifying information as specified under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.

Citizens seeking access to arrest records must submit a formal request to the appropriate law enforcement agency or the City Clerk of Buchanan. Requests may be subject to reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying services as permitted under state law.

How to Look Up Buchanan Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for members of the public to access arrest records in Buchanan, Georgia. The following methods are available for record retrieval:

In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies: Citizens may visit the Buchanan Police Department located at 4300 GA Highway 120, Buchanan, GA 30113. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Contact number: 770-646-5246.
Haralson County Sheriff's Office: Located at the Haralson County Courthouse, 4485 Georgia Highway 120, Buchanan, GA 30113. The Sheriff's Office maintains county-wide arrest records and booking information. Telephone: 770-646-2011.
Haralson County Clerk of Superior Court: The Clerk's office maintains court records related to arrests that proceeded to prosecution. Located at 4485 Georgia Highway 120, Buchanan, GA 30113. Telephone: 770-646-2002.
Online Records Request: The City of Buchanan provides an Open Records Request Form that can be submitted electronically or by mail to initiate the records search process.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI): For comprehensive criminal history information, the GBI maintains the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) which provides criminal history record information for a fee. Requests must comply with O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34.

Contents of a Buchanan Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Buchanan law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Georgia state law. These records generally include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including Georgia Code references
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint records collected during the booking process
Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
Detention facility information if the individual was incarcerated
Bond information, including amount set and whether it was posted
Preliminary hearing date, if scheduled at the time of booking

The Buchanan Police Department maintains these records in accordance with Georgia records retention schedules. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies pursuant to privacy protections under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Georgia

The management and accessibility of arrest records in Buchanan operate within a comprehensive legal framework established by Georgia state law. The following statutes govern these records:

Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 through § 50-18-77) establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access public records, including arrest records. The Act specifies that public agencies must respond to records requests within three business days and provide reasonable estimates of time and cost for fulfilling requests.

Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) is governed by O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, which regulates the dissemination of criminal history information by the Georgia Crime Information Center and local law enforcement agencies. This statute distinguishes between restricted and unrestricted access to criminal history information.

The First Offender Act (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60) and conditional discharge provisions (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-2) impact the public accessibility of certain arrest records. When an individual successfully completes a first offender program or conditional discharge, the associated arrest records may be sealed from public view.

The Haralson County Board of Commissioners and the City of Buchanan have established local ordinances and policies that implement these state laws while addressing specific community needs and resources.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Buchanan

Georgia law provides mechanisms for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through a process commonly referred to as expungement, though Georgia law formally terms this process "record restriction." Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, individuals may qualify for record restriction under specific circumstances:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges
Cases where charges were dismissed or nolle prossed
Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdicts)
First Offender Act dispositions after successful completion
Conditional discharge completions for certain drug offenses
Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders

The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, typically the Buchanan Police Department or Haralson County Sheriff's Office. If approved at the local level, the request is forwarded to the Georgia Crime Information Center for implementation at the state level.

Individuals seeking record restriction must file applications with:

Buchanan Police Department
4300 GA Highway 120
Buchanan, GA 30113
770-646-5246
City of Buchanan Police Services

Haralson County Sheriff's Office
4485 Georgia Highway 120
Buchanan, GA 30113
770-646-2011
Haralson County Public Safety

The application fee is $25, though fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants. Processing typically requires 90-120 days for completion.