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Wadley Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Wadley, Georgia?

Arrest records in Wadley, Georgia are public documents accessible to all citizens. This accessibility is mandated by the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), which establishes the public's right to access government records. The Act specifically designates arrest records as public information to ensure transparency and accountability within law enforcement operations and the judicial system.

The Georgia Open Records Act stipulates that all public records, including those maintained by the Wadley Police Department and Jefferson County law enforcement agencies, shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Georgia during regular office hours. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records, but may not charge for the first quarter hour of time spent responding to a request.

Citizens seeking arrest records in Wadley should note that certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws, particularly information related to victims of crimes, juveniles, or ongoing investigations as specified under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.

How to Look Up Wadley Arrest Records in 2025

The Jefferson County and City of Wadley authorities maintain several official channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information have multiple options available:

In-person requests can be submitted at the Wadley Police Department, located at 22 N. Main Street, Wadley, GA 30477. The department's public counter is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Requestors should be prepared to complete a records request form and provide identification.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, located at 1841 US-1, Louisville, GA 30434, maintains county-wide arrest records and accepts in-person requests during regular business hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday).
Written requests may be submitted via mail to either agency, with appropriate fees enclosed. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c)(1), agencies must respond to requests within three business days.
The Wadley City Court maintains records of cases processed through the municipal court system. Court records can be accessed at City Hall, 37 Butts Street, Wadley, GA 30477.
Jefferson County Superior Court, located at 202 E Broad Street, Louisville, GA 30434, maintains felony case records that may include arrest information for more serious offenses.

Requestors should note that a government-issued photo identification is required when requesting records in person, and specific case information (such as name, date of birth, or case number) facilitates more efficient searches.

Contents of a Wadley Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Wadley Police Department and Jefferson County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard elements included in these records are as follows:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, any known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and residential address
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color, and documentation of any distinguishing characteristics such as scars, marks, or tattoos
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of all charges filed against the individual
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including the facility where the individual was processed
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint records collected during the booking process
Case number assigned to the arrest for tracking purposes
Disposition information, if available, indicating whether the case was prosecuted, dismissed, or otherwise resolved

In accordance with Georgia law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information protected under HIPAA regulations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Wadley

The State of Georgia provides a legal 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. Individuals with arrest records in Wadley may qualify for record restriction under the following circumstances:

Cases where no formal charges were filed within the applicable statute of limitations
Arrests that did not result in a referral for prosecution (nolle prosequi)
Cases dismissed by the prosecuting attorney or the court
Acquittals by judge or jury following trial proceedings
Arrests for certain misdemeanor offenses committed by individuals under 21 years of age, provided specific statutory requirements are met
First-offender dispositions after successful completion of probation, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60

The record restriction process requires eligible individuals to submit an application to the arresting agency, which in Wadley would be the Wadley Police Department or the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The application must include:

Completed Record Restriction Application form (available from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation)
Certified copy of the final disposition of the case
Government-issued photo identification
Application fee as established by the arresting agency

Upon approval, the arresting agency forwards the restriction request to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), which then restricts access to the record in the state's criminal history database. However, it should be noted that pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(m), certain entities retain access to restricted records, including criminal justice agencies, licensing boards, and employers in sensitive positions such as those working with children or the elderly.

Jurisdictional Authority for Wadley Arrest Records

The maintenance and dissemination of arrest records in Wadley falls under multiple jurisdictional authorities, each with specific responsibilities in the records management process:

The Wadley Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency within city limits and maintains records of all arrests conducted by its officers. The department operates under the authority of the City of Wadley municipal government and follows record-keeping protocols established by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.

Wadley Police Department
22 N. Main Street
Wadley, GA 30477
(478) 252-9401
Wadley Police Department Official Website

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has countywide jurisdiction and maintains records of arrests conducted by deputies throughout the county, including those in Wadley when sheriff's deputies are involved.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
1841 US-1
Louisville, GA 30434
(478) 625-7538

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) maintains the central repository for all criminal history information in the state through the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC). All fingerprint-based arrest records from Wadley are submitted to the GCIC within 24 hours of booking, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
(404) 244-2600

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) receives and maintains records of arrests for serious offenses through its National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, which includes submissions from Wadley law enforcement agencies for arrests involving federal offenses or certain felonies.

Legal Uses of Wadley Arrest Records

Arrest records obtained from Wadley authorities may be legally utilized for various purposes as permitted under Georgia law. Authorized uses include:

Background screening for employment purposes, particularly for positions involving security, financial responsibility, or work with vulnerable populations
Tenant screening by property owners and management companies
Verification of information provided on applications for professional licenses, permits, or certifications
Due diligence investigations for business transactions or partnerships
Research conducted by academic institutions or policy organizations studying criminal justice trends
Journalistic reporting on matters of public interest
Personal safety assessments when entering into new relationships or business arrangements

Users of arrest record information should be aware of legal restrictions that apply to the use of such information. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) imposes specific requirements on consumer reporting agencies that provide criminal background reports for employment, housing, or credit purposes. Additionally, Georgia law prohibits discrimination based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 34-1-4.

Employers in Wadley and throughout Georgia are advised to comply with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance regarding the use of arrest and conviction records in employment decisions, which recommends individualized assessment of criminal history information rather than blanket exclusions.