Arrest records are public documents in Lumpkin County, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that all public records maintained by government agencies, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the general public unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The Georgia Open Records Act operates under the principle that government transparency is essential for an informed citizenry and effective democratic governance. Members of the public seeking arrest records in Lumpkin County may request these documents without providing identification or stating a purpose for their request, though certain identifying information about the subject of the records may be required to facilitate the search.
Lumpkin County arrest records are available through various online platforms as part of the county's commitment to public accessibility and technological advancement. The Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office maintains digital records of arrests and bookings that may be accessed through their official website. Additionally, the Lumpkin County Clerk of Superior Court provides online access to court records that may contain information related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, government agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and reproduction of electronic records, though viewing records online may be offered at no cost in some instances.
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Lumpkin County. Interested parties may pursue any of the following methods:
Submit a Criminal History Request directly to the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office. Fees are $10.00 for Lumpkin County residents with proof of residency, employment, or current school enrollment, and $25.00 for all others.
Visit the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office in person to request arrest records:
Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office
385 East Main Street
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Phone: (706) 864-0414
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Submit an Open Records Act Request to the appropriate county department. The county provides standardized forms for such requests, though these are not for Sheriff's Office records, which must be requested directly from that agency.
Access the Lumpkin County Clerk of Superior Court for court records related to arrests:
Lumpkin County Clerk of Superior Court
325 Riley Road
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Phone: (706) 864-3736
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Utilize the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) for statewide criminal history information:
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
Phone: (404) 244-2600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the GCIC may provide criminal history record information to private individuals and businesses under certain circumstances and for specified purposes.
Lumpkin County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual involved. Standard elements included in these records are:
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and the arresting agency's protocols. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations.
Georgia law provides mechanisms for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through a process formerly known as expungement, now referred to as record restriction. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, individuals may petition for record restriction in Lumpkin County under specific circumstances:
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards eligible requests to the Georgia Crime Information Center. For court-ordered restrictions, petitioners must file with the Lumpkin County Superior Court:
Lumpkin County Superior Court
325 Riley Road
Dahlonega, GA 30533
Phone: (706) 864-3736
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Upon approval, restricted records are sealed from public view but remain accessible to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and certain employers in sensitive positions as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j). The record restriction process does not apply to federal arrests or convictions, which are governed by federal law.
While arrest records are generally public in Lumpkin County, Georgia law establishes several important exceptions and limitations to public access. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, certain information may be withheld or redacted from public disclosure:
Government agencies in Lumpkin County must balance the public's right to access information with privacy protections and law enforcement needs. Individuals seeking arrest records may be required to submit written requests specifying the records sought with sufficient particularity to enable location of the records. Agencies must respond to such requests within three business days, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(b)(1).