Heard County, Georgia Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Heard County, Georgia?
Arrest records are public documents in Heard 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 documenting arrests made by law enforcement agencies within the county, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The Georgia Open Records Act serves to maintain transparency in governmental operations and ensures accountability of law enforcement agencies by permitting citizens to review documentation related to arrests conducted within Heard County jurisdictions.
The public nature of these records facilitates citizen oversight of law enforcement activities and promotes public confidence in the judicial system. Individuals seeking arrest records may obtain them from various county offices, including the Heard County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Superior Court. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with privacy provisions outlined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, such as Social Security numbers, medical information, and other statutorily protected data.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Heard County?
Arrest records for Heard County are available through various online platforms in accordance with Georgia's commitment to public information accessibility. The Heard County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that provides limited arrest information to the public via their official website. This online accessibility is authorized under the Georgia Open Records Act, which permits governmental agencies to provide electronic access to public records.
The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), operated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, also maintains a comprehensive database of arrest records that may be accessed online by authorized entities. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, members of the public may request criminal history information through the GCIC website by submitting the appropriate forms and paying the required fees.
Third-party aggregators also compile and publish arrest data from Heard County. However, the Georgia Department of Law advises that information obtained from non-governmental sources may not be current or accurate, and verification through official channels is recommended for legal or employment purposes.
How to Look Up Heard County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Heard County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information:
Heard County Sheriff's Office: Individuals may submit requests for arrest records in person at the Sheriff's Office. The office maintains comprehensive records of all arrests conducted within county jurisdiction.
Heard County Sheriff's Office
11820 Highway 100 North
Franklin, GA 30217
(706) 675-3329
Heard County Sheriff's OfficeHeard County Clerk of Superior Court: The Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through their electronic filing system.
Heard County Clerk of Superior Court
12747 Highway 100 North
Franklin, GA 30217
(706) 675-3907
Heard County Clerk of CourtGeorgia Bureau of Investigation: The GBI maintains the Georgia Crime Information Center, which provides criminal history information to authorized requestors pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
(404) 244-2600
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71 and vary based on the volume and format of records requested.
Contents of a Heard County Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Heard County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Georgia law. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 17-4-45, these records typically include the following elements:
- 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 location of the arrest
- Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
- Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
- Booking information including fingerprints and mugshot photographs
- Case disposition information, if available
- Bail or bond determination and conditions
- Detention facility information if the individual was incarcerated
The Georgia Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Network establishes standardized formatting for arrest records to ensure consistency across jurisdictions. Law enforcement agencies in Heard County are required to submit arrest information to the Georgia Crime Information Center within 24 hours of booking pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-36.
Certain information within arrest records may be restricted from public disclosure, including juvenile records (except as provided in O.C.G.A. § 15-11-702), information related to ongoing investigations, and data protected by federal privacy laws.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Heard County
The State of Georgia provides a mechanism for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through a process formerly known as expungement, now officially termed "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. In Heard County, individuals may petition for record restriction under the following circumstances:
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges
- Cases where charges were dismissed or nolle prossed
- Cases resulting in acquittal or not guilty verdicts
- First offender dispositions after successful completion of sentence (pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60)
- Conditional discharge dispositions after successful completion of probation (pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-2)
- Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders (under age 21 at time of offense)
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards approved applications to the Georgia Crime Information Center. For cases involving court proceedings, a petition must be filed with the Heard County Superior Court. The court's determination is made after consideration of:
- The nature and circumstances of the offense
- The individual's criminal history
- The impact of restriction on public safety
- The prosecutorial recommendation
Upon approval of record restriction, the arrest information is sealed from public view but remains accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(2). The Georgia Bureau of Investigation assesses a fee of $25.00 for processing record restriction applications, though fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants.
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