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Oglethorpe Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Oglethorpe, Georgia?

Arrest records in Oglethorpe, Georgia are classified as public documents 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 Georgia are available for public inspection. The statute specifically includes law enforcement records, such as arrest reports and booking information, within the scope of accessible documents.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal functions:

Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
Ensures accountability of public officials and agencies
Facilitates informed civic participation
Provides necessary information for background checks and public safety
Supports journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice

The Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Georgia Secretary of State's Office. While the records are public, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile identities, or victim information as provided under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.

How to Look Up Oglethorpe Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Oglethorpe County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access while maintaining record integrity:

In-Person Requests

The primary repository for arrest records in Oglethorpe County is the Sheriff's Office. Requestors may visit during regular business hours to submit a formal records request.

Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office
115 Buddy Faust Road
Lexington, GA 30648
(706) 743-8101
Oglethorpe County Government

Operating hours for records requests: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county holidays.

Court Records Access

The Magistrate Court of Oglethorpe County maintains records related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-10-2, this court has jurisdiction over preliminary hearings in criminal cases, which generates additional documentation related to arrests.

Oglethorpe County Magistrate Court
109 East Boggs Street
Lexington, GA 30648
(706) 743-5359

Online Access Options

The Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office provides limited online access to recent booking information through their official portal. This service includes:

72-hour booking reports
Basic arrest information
Case status updates

For comprehensive records, requestors must submit a formal application either in person or through the county's official records request process.

Contents of an Oglethorpe Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Oglethorpe County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Georgia Bureau of Investigation protocols. These documents typically include the following elements:

Demographic Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Known aliases or alternative names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of booking
Gender and race identifiers

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory violations cited (O.C.G.A. references)
Narrative description of the incident
Presence of weapons, contraband, or evidence
Names of additional parties involved

Processing Information

Booking number and facility information
Fingerprint classification data
Photographic documentation (mugshot)
Property inventory
Medical screening notations
Bond amount and conditions, if applicable

Case Disposition

Court assignment information
Preliminary hearing dates
Charging decisions by prosecuting authority
Case status indicators

Pursuant to Georgia law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of these records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Oglethorpe

The State of Georgia provides statutory mechanisms for the restriction and sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. This process, formerly referred to as expungement, is now governed by O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, which establishes the following provisions:

Eligibility Criteria

Records may be eligible for restriction if:

The case was dismissed or nolle prossed
The individual was acquitted of all charges
The arrest occurred before July 1, 2013, and meets previous expungement criteria
The individual successfully completed a pre-trial diversion program
The case resulted in a discharge without adjudication of guilt (first offender treatment)

Certain serious offenses, including violent felonies and sexual crimes, are statutorily excluded from restriction eligibility regardless of case outcome.

Application Process

Individuals seeking restriction of arrest records must:

Obtain a certified copy of the final disposition from the Oglethorpe County Clerk of Superior Court
Complete the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Record Restriction Application
Submit the application to the arresting agency (Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office)
Pay applicable processing fees ($25-$50, subject to change)
Await determination from the prosecuting attorney's office

The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) processes approved applications within 90 days of receipt. Upon restriction, the records become unavailable to the general public but remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(2).

Legal Assistance

The Oglethorpe County Code Compliance Office provides general information regarding record restriction but does not offer legal advice. Applicants with complex cases may benefit from consulting with an attorney familiar with Georgia's record restriction statutes.