>Lee County Arrest Records Online

Lee County, Georgia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lee County, Georgia?

Arrest records are public documents in Lee County, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (GORA), O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq. This legislation establishes the legal framework ensuring public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests. The Act stipulates that public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying by any citizen of the state during regular office hours.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligations. Members of the public seeking arrest information may access these documents through established protocols. Records typically contain:

Name of the arrested individual
Date and time of arrest
Nature of the alleged offense
Location of the arrest
Booking information
Case disposition status

It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, which provides exemptions for specific categories of information including ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Lee County?

Lee County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms, though the comprehensiveness of digital access varies. The Lee County Sheriff's Office maintains limited online resources for public record searches. Digital access to arrest records is provided through:

The Lee County Sheriff's Office website, which offers basic inmate search functionality
Georgia's statewide judicial system portal
Third-party aggregator websites that compile public records

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(h), agencies may provide access to records through electronic means. However, the statute does not mandate complete online availability. Consequently, certain arrest records may only be accessible through in-person requests at the Lee County Sheriff's Office located at:

Lee County Sheriff's Office
119 Pinewood Road
Leesburg, GA 31763
Phone: (229) 759-6012
Lee County Sheriff's Office

Office hours for public record requests are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county holidays.

How to Look Up Lee County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining Lee County arrest records in 2025. Pursuant to Georgia's Open Records Act, the following procedures are available to members of the public:

In-person requests: Individuals may visit the Lee County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours. Requestors must complete a standard records request form and provide proper identification. Processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and staff availability.
Written requests: Citizens may submit formal written requests via postal mail to:

Records Division Lee County Sheriff's Office 119 Pinewood Road Leesburg, GA 31763
Online resources: The Lee County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database accessible through their official website. This resource provides limited information on current inmates and recent arrests.
Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC): For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may submit requests to:

Georgia Bureau of Investigation GCIC Records Section P.O. Box 370808 Decatur, GA 30037-0808 Phone: (404) 244-2639

Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c), which permits reasonable charges for search, retrieval, and copying of records. Current fee schedules are available at the Sheriff's Office.

Contents of a Lee County Arrest Record

Lee County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Georgia law enforcement protocols. These documents typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint classification data
Enumeration of criminal charges filed, including Georgia Code citations
Identity of the arresting agency and officer
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Booking date and processing information
Case number and court assignment
Bail or bond information, when applicable
Detention status
Court appearance dates
Disposition information (if available)

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain information may be restricted based on privacy protections or ongoing investigation status. Medical information, juvenile records, and certain personal identifiers are typically redacted from public versions of arrest records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lee County

The State of Georgia provides mechanisms for the restriction and sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances through a process formerly known as expungement, now officially termed "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. In Lee County, individuals may petition for record restriction when:

The case was dismissed or nolle prossed
No formal charges were filed within the statute of limitations
The individual was acquitted of all charges
The arrest occurred before July 1, 2013, and meets certain criteria
The individual successfully completed a pre-trial diversion program
The individual was convicted of certain misdemeanors while under 21 years of age

The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, typically the Lee County Sheriff's Office. If approved at the agency level, the request is forwarded to the Georgia Crime Information Center for processing. For arrests occurring after July 1, 2013, certain eligible cases may receive automatic restriction.

Individuals seeking record restriction must submit applications to:

Lee County Clerk of Superior Court
123 Starksville Avenue North
Leesburg, GA 31763
Phone: (229) 759-6025

The application fee is $50, though fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants. Processing typically requires 90-120 days from submission to completion.

Legal Implications of Arrest Records in Lee County

Arrest records in Lee County carry significant legal implications for affected individuals. These records, maintained pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, remain accessible to various entities including:

Law enforcement agencies
Licensing boards
Certain employers, particularly those in education, healthcare, and financial sectors
Housing authorities
Immigration authorities

The presence of an arrest record, even without conviction, may impact:

Employment opportunities, particularly in positions requiring background checks
Professional licensing eligibility
Housing applications
Loan and credit applications
Educational opportunities and financial aid
Immigration status and proceedings

It is important to note that under Georgia law, employers with more than 10 employees are prohibited from using first-offense arrest records in hiring decisions when the arrest did not lead to conviction, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34.1. However, exceptions exist for sensitive positions including those involving vulnerable populations.