Lamar County, Georgia Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Lamar County, Georgia?
Arrest records in Lamar County, Georgia are classified as public records pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that records created, maintained, or received by a public agency in the course of its official business are available for public inspection and copying. The Georgia Open Records Act specifically includes arrest records among the documents that must be made accessible to the public, with certain statutory exceptions.
Members of the public may access these records regardless of citizenship status or purpose of inquiry. The law stipulates that public agencies must respond to record requests within three business days, though actual production of records may take longer depending on the scope of the request and availability of resources. Custodians of public records in Lamar County are required to provide reasonable access to these documents during regular office hours.
It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Georgia law. Such protected information typically includes Social Security numbers, medical information, and certain personal identifiers of minors.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Lamar County?
Lamar County arrest records are available through various online platforms in accordance with Georgia's commitment to public information accessibility. The Lamar County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that includes current inmate information and recent arrest data. This information is updated regularly to reflect the most current status of individuals within the county's criminal justice system.
The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), operated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, provides a centralized repository for criminal history record information that includes arrest data from Lamar County. Access to this database requires proper authorization and adherence to state regulations regarding criminal history information dissemination.
Third-party aggregators also compile and present Lamar County arrest information online. However, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, users should be aware that information obtained from non-governmental sources may not be complete or current, as these services do not always maintain real-time connections with official record systems. The accuracy of such information should be verified through official channels before being relied upon for any significant purpose.
Online access to these records is subject to the same statutory protections and exemptions that apply to physical records, including privacy safeguards for certain categories of information as prescribed by Georgia law.
How to Look Up Lamar County Arrest Records in 2025
Individuals seeking Lamar County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches within Lamar County jurisdiction:
Lamar County Sheriff's Office: The primary custodian of arrest records in the county maintains a public access terminal for record searches.
Lamar County Sheriff's Office
121 Roberta Drive
Barnesville, GA 30204
(770) 358-5159
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMLamar County Clerk of Superior Court: Court records related to arrests, including indictments and case dispositions, are maintained by this office.
Lamar County Clerk of Superior Court
326 Thomaston Street, Suite B
Barnesville, GA 30204
(770) 358-5155
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PMGeorgia Bureau of Investigation: The GBI maintains the Georgia Felony Search database, which includes felony arrest records from all Georgia counties, including Lamar County.
Georgia Courts E-Access Portal: The E-Access to Court Records system provides electronic access to court records associated with arrests in Lamar County and throughout Georgia.
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. Current fee schedules are available at each agency's office or website.
Contents of a Lamar County Arrest Record
Lamar County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Georgia law enforcement protocols and the Georgia Crime Information Center regulations. These records typically include the following components:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and other physical identifiers.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer; and statutory authority for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific offenses charged, including Georgia Code citations and classification (misdemeanor or felony).
Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprint classification, and photographic identification (mugshot).
Case Processing Data: Court appearance dates, bond information, and preliminary case disposition if available.
Agency Identifiers: Record numbers and other administrative information used by law enforcement and judicial agencies for tracking purposes.
The Georgia Criminal Justice Information System Network maintains standards for arrest record content pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, ensuring consistency across jurisdictions. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and form the basis for subsequent criminal justice proceedings.
It should be noted that arrest records reflect only the fact that an arrest occurred and do not constitute proof of guilt. Under Georgia law and the U.S. Constitution, all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Lamar County
The State of Georgia provides a process for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through a procedure formerly known as expungement, now officially termed "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. In Lamar County, individuals may petition for record restriction under specific circumstances prescribed by state law.
Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Lamar County include:
- 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 dispositions after successful completion of sentence
- Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, typically the Lamar County Sheriff's Office or municipal police department. Upon verification of eligibility, the application is forwarded to the Georgia Crime Information Center for processing. If approved, the arrest record is restricted from public disclosure, though it remains available to criminal justice agencies for law enforcement purposes.
Individuals seeking record restriction should be aware that the process does not apply to certain serious offenses as enumerated in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j), including sexual offenses, crimes against children, and certain violent felonies. Additionally, private entities that previously obtained arrest information are not obligated to remove such information from their databases following official record restriction.
Legal assistance is advisable for navigating the record restriction process, as procedural requirements are specific and time-sensitive. The Georgia Justice Project offers guidance on record restriction through their office located at 438 Edgewood Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30312.
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