Warm Springs Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Warm Springs, Georgia?
Arrest records in Warm Springs, Georgia are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within municipal jurisdictions. The Georgia Open Records Act operates under the principle that government transparency is essential to a functioning democracy and that citizens have the right to information about law enforcement activities.
The Warm Springs Police Department maintains arrest records in accordance with state regulations and makes these documents available through established protocols. Public access to these records serves multiple governmental and civic purposes:
- Ensures accountability of law enforcement agencies
- Provides transparency in the judicial process
- Allows citizens to monitor public safety in their communities
- Facilitates background checks for employment and housing
- Supports journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice
Certain limitations may apply to the release of arrest information in cases involving juveniles, ongoing investigations, or where disclosure might compromise public safety. These exceptions are specifically enumerated in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 and are narrowly interpreted to preserve the presumption of openness.
How to Look Up Warm Springs Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Warm Springs have multiple avenues through which to obtain this information. The City of Warm Springs maintains systems for record retrieval in compliance with state regulations regarding public information access.
The primary methods for accessing arrest records include:
In-Person Requests at the Warm Springs Police Department
PO Box 156
Warm Springs, GA 31830
Phone: (706) 655-9096
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Warm Springs Police Department
Individuals requesting records in person must complete a standard records request form and provide identification. Processing fees may apply in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which permits reasonable charges for search, retrieval, and copying of public records.
Municipal Court Records Access
PO Box 156
Warm Springs, GA 31830
Phone: (706) 655-9096
Warm Springs Municipal Court
The Municipal Court maintains records of arrests that have resulted in court proceedings within its jurisdiction. Court clerks can assist with locating relevant documentation during regular business hours.
Online Resources
The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) maintains a statewide database of arrest records that includes Warm Springs arrests. Access to this database requires registration and may involve service fees. The GCIC operates under the authority of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at:
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
Phone: (404) 244-2600
Public Records Request Procedure
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(b)(1)(A), agencies must respond to records requests within three business days. If records cannot be produced within this timeframe, the custodian must provide a written description of the records and a timeline for their production. Requests must be sufficiently detailed to enable the records custodian to identify the specific records sought.
Contents of a Warm Springs Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Warm Springs Police Department contain standardized information as required by Georgia law and departmental policies. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include the following components:
Biographical Information
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Any known aliases or previous names
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Gender and race (for identification purposes only)
Arrest Details
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citation of alleged offense(s)
- Classification of offense (misdemeanor or felony)
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Agency case number for reference purposes
- Narrative description of the circumstances leading to arrest
Processing Information
- Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
- Fingerprint records and biometric identifiers
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Medical screening information when applicable
- Detention facility assignment
Case Disposition
- Bail or bond amount set
- Court appearance dates
- Preliminary hearing outcomes
- Final disposition of charges (if resolved)
The Georgia Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-90 et seq.) establishes retention schedules for these records, requiring that arrest documentation be maintained for specified periods based on the severity of the alleged offense and case outcome. The Warm Springs Police Department adheres to these retention requirements in its records management practices.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Warm Springs
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. This statute establishes the criteria and procedures by which individuals may petition to have arrest records restricted from public access.
Eligibility for record restriction in Warm Springs is determined by specific statutory criteria:
- Cases resulting in non-conviction (dismissal, nolle prosequi, acquittal)
- First offender dispositions after successful completion of probation
- Conditional discharge completions for certain offenses
- Arrests for misdemeanors committed by individuals under 21 years of age (subject to waiting periods and conditions)
- Certain felony offenses after completion of accountability court programs
The application process requires submission of the following:
- Petition for Record Restriction form (available from the Warm Springs Municipal Court)
- Certified copies of case disposition documents
- Fingerprint card for identification verification
- Application fee as established by state law
Restriction Process Timeline
Upon receipt of a complete application, the following procedure is initiated:
- Initial review by the Warm Springs Municipal Court (30 days)
- Forwarding of eligible petitions to the prosecuting attorney's office (15 days for objections)
- Judicial review and determination (60 days)
- Notification to Georgia Crime Information Center for implementation (90 days)
Individuals whose petitions are approved will have their arrest records restricted from public disclosure, though the information remains available to law enforcement agencies and for certain employment positions as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(2).
The Warm Springs Municipal Court provides assistance with record restriction applications at:
Warm Springs Municipal Court
PO Box 156
Warm Springs, GA 31830
Phone: (706) 655-9096
Warm Springs Municipal Court
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