> >Centerville Arrest Records

Centerville Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Centerville, Georgia?

Arrest records in Centerville, Georgia are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to Georgia's Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that arrest information maintained by law enforcement agencies constitutes public record and must be made available for inspection by any member of the public upon proper request. The transparency of arrest records serves multiple public interests, including:

Ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies
Providing citizens with information about criminal activity in their communities
Supporting the constitutional right to public trials and proceedings
Facilitating background checks for employment and housing purposes

The Houston County Sheriff's Office, which has jurisdiction over Centerville, maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. While most information in arrest records is publicly accessible, certain details may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information as permitted under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.

How to Look Up Centerville Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Centerville have several official channels through which they may obtain this information. The following methods are available for accessing arrest records in compliance with Georgia public records laws:

In-Person Requests

Individuals may submit requests in person at the following locations:

Houston County Sheriff's Office
200 Carl Vinson Parkway
Warner Robins, GA 31088
(478) 542-2125
Houston County Sheriff's Office

Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Centerville Police Department
300 E Church Street
Centerville, GA 31028
(478) 953-4222

Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Online Resources

The Houston County government provides digital access to certain public records through their official portal. Requestors may search for arrest records using:

The defendant's full name
Date of arrest
Case number (if known)

For traffic-related arrests, the Houston County State Court Clerk's office maintains searchable records of violations including DUI arrests and other traffic offenses that resulted in arrest.

Written Requests

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via mail or email to the records custodian. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies must respond to such requests within three business days. If records cannot be produced within this timeframe, the agency must provide a written timeline for when the records will be available.

Contents of a Centerville Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Centerville law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Georgia Bureau of Investigation protocols. A complete arrest record typically includes the following components:

Subject identification information:
- Full legal name
- Known aliases or nicknames
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Address at time of arrest
- Georgia identification number (if previously arrested)
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges (O.C.G.A. citations)
- Narrative description of the alleged offense
- Booking number and facility information
Case processing information:
- Court of jurisdiction (Houston County Superior Court or Municipal Court)
- Bond amount and status
- Preliminary hearing date
- Case disposition (if resolved)
Biometric data:
- Fingerprints collected during booking
- Mugshot photographs (frontal and profile views)

Pursuant to Georgia law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Centerville

Under Georgia's Record Restriction law (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37), certain individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records restricted from public view. The term "expungement" has been replaced with "record restriction" in Georgia legal terminology. Record restriction does not destroy records but limits their disclosure to law enforcement agencies.

Eligibility Criteria

Record restriction may be available in the following 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 or conditional discharge cases successfully completed
Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders (under 21 at time of offense)
Certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period (typically 4 years)

Application Process

The record restriction process requires petitioners to:

Obtain a certified copy of their criminal history from the Georgia Crime Information Center
Complete the appropriate petition form available from the Houston County Superior Court Clerk
Submit the petition to the prosecuting attorney's office that handled the original case
Pay applicable filing fees (approximately $50, with fee waivers available for indigent petitioners)
Attend any scheduled hearings regarding the petition

Houston County District Attorney's Office
201 Perry Parkway
Perry, GA 31069
(478) 218-4810

Petitioners should be aware that record restriction is not automatic, and the prosecuting attorney may object to the petition. The final determination rests with the judge who reviews the case.

Legal Consequences of Arrest Records in Centerville

Arrest records, even without conviction, may have significant legal and practical implications for Centerville residents. These consequences are established through various Georgia statutes and administrative regulations:

Employment limitations: Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34.1, certain employers, particularly those in education, healthcare, and financial services, may lawfully consider arrest records in hiring decisions.
Housing restrictions: Property managers and landlords may utilize arrest records when evaluating rental applications, though the Georgia Fair Housing Act provides some protections against discriminatory practices.
Professional licensing: Many occupational licensing boards in Georgia, including those governing law enforcement, healthcare, and legal professions, require disclosure of arrest records regardless of conviction status.
Firearm possession: Under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922), individuals with certain arrests may face temporary restrictions on firearm purchases pending case resolution.
Immigration consequences: Non-citizens with arrest records may face additional scrutiny during immigration proceedings, even if charges were ultimately dismissed.

The Georgia Probation Management office, which handles probation cases for Centerville residents, maintains records of arrests that resulted in probationary sentences. These records remain accessible even after probation completion unless formally restricted.