Barnesville Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Barnesville, Georgia?
Arrest records are public documents in Barnesville, Georgia, accessible to all members of the public. This accessibility is governed by the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), which establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of the state. The statute specifically designates law enforcement records as public documents unless they fall under specific exemptions outlined in § 50-18-72.
Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal purposes, including:
- Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
- Facilitating public oversight of governmental functions
- Providing necessary information for background checks
- Supporting journalistic reporting on matters of public interest
- Enabling research on criminal justice trends and patterns
Requesters should note that while arrest records are public, certain information within these records may be redacted pursuant to privacy protections established under Georgia law, particularly information related to victims of crimes, juveniles, or ongoing investigations as specified in § 35-1-9.
How to Look Up Barnesville Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Barnesville, Georgia may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for record retrieval:
In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies: Citizens may visit the Barnesville Police Department located at 358 Thomaston Street, Barnesville, GA 30204. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requesters should be prepared to complete a records request form and provide identification.
Lamar County Sheriff's Office: Records may also be obtained from the county sheriff's office at 121 Roberta Drive, Barnesville, GA 30204. The records division operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Contact number: (770) 358-5159.
Online Portal Access: The Barnesville Police Department maintains an online records portal accessible through the city's official website. Users must register for an account and may be subject to verification procedures before accessing records.
Written Requests: Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, citizens may submit written requests via mail or email to the Records Custodian at either law enforcement agency. Requests must reasonably describe the records sought and include contact information for the requester.
Clerk of Superior Court: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the Lamar County Clerk of Superior Court at 326 Thomaston Street, Barnesville, GA 30204. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Phone: (770) 358-5155.
Requesters should note that fees may apply for record retrieval and copying as permitted under § 50-18-71(c). The standard fee structure includes $0.10 per page for letter or legal-sized documents and actual costs for other formats or extensive searches requiring more than 15 minutes of staff time.
Contents of a Barnesville Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Barnesville law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest incident and the individual taken into custody. Standard components of these records include:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed, including Georgia Code references
- Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking photographs ("mugshots") taken during processing
- Fingerprint records and other biometric identifiers
- Detention information, including bail amount if applicable
- Preliminary hearing date if scheduled
- Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction
The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), operating under the Georgia Bureau of Investigation pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, maintains the central repository of arrest data for the state. Local Barnesville records are typically transmitted to this database within 24 hours of booking procedures.
Requesters should be aware that certain information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with Georgia law, particularly details related to:
- Ongoing investigations as specified in § 50-18-72(a)(4)
- Identity of confidential sources per § 50-18-72(a)(3)
- Medical information protected under § 50-18-72(a)(2)
- Social security numbers and other personal identifiers as outlined in § 50-18-72(a)(20)
Expungement of Arrest Records in Barnesville
The State of Georgia provides a legal mechanism for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through a process formerly known as expungement and now officially termed "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Individuals with Barnesville arrest records may petition for restriction under the following circumstances:
- Cases resulting in non-conviction (dismissals, nolle prosequi, acquittals)
- First offender act dispositions after successful completion of probation
- Conditional discharge completions for certain offenses
- Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders (under 21 at time of arrest)
- Pardoned offenses (excluding serious violent felonies)
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which in Barnesville would be either the Barnesville Police Department or the Lamar County Sheriff's Office. The application must include:
- Certified copies of final dispositions from the Lamar County Clerk of Court
- Government-issued photo identification
- Processing fee of $25 (may be waived upon demonstration of indigence)
- Completed GBI Record Restriction Application form
Upon approval, the restriction process removes the record from public access, though it remains available to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in § 35-3-37(i)(2). The Georgia Bureau of Investigation processes approved restrictions within 90 days of receipt from the local agency.
Individuals seeking record restriction may obtain legal assistance through the Griffin Judicial Circuit Public Defender's Office at 100 Courthouse Square, Griffin, GA 30223. Phone: (770) 467-4647.
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