Macon Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Macon, Georgia?
Arrest records are public documents in Macon, Georgia, 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 by law enforcement agencies within Bibb County and the city of Macon. The Georgia Open Records Act operates under the presumption that all government records should be accessible to citizens unless specifically exempted by statute.
The Bibb County Sheriff's Office and the Macon-Bibb County government maintain these records as part of their official duties. Members of the public seeking information about arrests may submit requests to the appropriate agencies. Records custodians are required by law to respond to such requests within three business days, either by providing the requested information or citing a specific legal exemption that prevents disclosure.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy interests as outlined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and certain personal identifiers. However, the core information regarding the arrest itself generally remains accessible to the public.
How to Look Up Macon Arrest Records in 2025
The Bibb County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary repository for arrest records in Macon. Individuals seeking arrest information in 2025 may utilize several established methods to access these public records:
Submit a formal records request in person at the Bibb County Sheriff's Office Records Division located at 668 Oglethorpe Street, Macon, GA 31201. The public counter operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Contact the Records Division by telephone at (478) 751-7500 to inquire about specific procedures for obtaining arrest records.
Access the Bibb County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search portal through their official website, which provides basic information about current inmates and recent arrests.
Submit a written request via mail to the Records Division, including the full name of the subject, date of birth (if known), and approximate date of arrest to facilitate the search process.
Utilize the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) for statewide criminal history information. Requests may be submitted to GCIC at 3121 Panthersville Road, Decatur, GA 30034.
Requestors should note that while basic arrest information is available without charge, reproduction fees may apply in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. The current fee structure includes $0.10 per page for standard document copies and additional charges for certified copies or specialized record formats.
Contents of a Macon Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Bibb County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies in Macon typically contain standardized information as required by Georgia law. These official documents include:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and address at time of arrest
Unique identifiers such as booking numbers and any assigned inmate identification numbers
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including Georgia Code references and charge descriptions
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for the arrest (Bibb County Sheriff's Office, Georgia State Patrol, etc.)
Booking photographs ("mugshots") taken during the intake process
Fingerprint information collected during booking
Court information, including scheduled appearance dates, assigned court, and case numbers
Bail or bond amount set, if applicable
Detention status indicating whether the individual was released or remains in custody
These records are maintained in accordance with Georgia records retention schedules as established by the Georgia Archives and Records Management Division. Law enforcement agencies are required to preserve these records for specified periods depending on case disposition and severity of charges.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Macon
Georgia law provides mechanisms for the restriction of arrest records under specific circumstances through a process formerly known as expungement and now officially termed "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) administers this program in coordination with local law enforcement agencies.
Individuals may qualify for record restriction in Macon under the following circumstances:
Arrests that did not result in formal charges (nolle prosequi)
Cases dismissed by the prosecuting attorney or the court
Acquittals following trial proceedings
Arrests resolved through pretrial diversion or first offender programs, upon successful completion
Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders (under 21 at time of offense) after a five-year waiting period with no subsequent arrests
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which in Macon is typically the Bibb County Sheriff's Office. Applications must be submitted to:
Bibb County Sheriff's Office
668 Oglethorpe Street
Macon, GA 31201
(478) 751-7500
Bibb County Sheriff's Office
Upon receipt of a record restriction application, the Sheriff's Office reviews the case to verify eligibility according to statutory criteria. If approved, the request is forwarded to the Georgia Crime Information Center for processing at the state level. The GCIC then restricts access to the record in the state criminal history database.
It is important to note that record restriction does not physically destroy arrest records but rather limits their dissemination to the public. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(m), certain government agencies, including law enforcement and the judiciary, maintain access to restricted records for official purposes.
Search Arrest Records in Macon
