> >Hiram Arrest Records

Hiram Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Hiram, Georgia?

Arrest records in Hiram, 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 that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within Hiram city limits, shall be available for public inspection. The Georgia Open Records Act operates under the principle that government transparency is essential for maintaining public trust and enabling citizens to make informed decisions regarding public safety in their communities.

Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal data as specified under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72. The City of Hiram maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and makes them available through designated channels to ensure both transparency and compliance with privacy regulations.

How to Look Up Hiram Arrest Records in 2025

The Hiram Police Department maintains arrest records for incidents occurring within city jurisdiction. Individuals seeking arrest record information may utilize several official channels:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Hiram Police Department during regular business hours to submit a records request. Staff will assist with locating and providing available records.

Hiram Police Department
217 Main Street
Hiram, GA 30141
Phone: (770) 445-2117
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Online Portal Access: The City of Hiram Records Request Portal provides a streamlined method for submitting records requests electronically. Users must select "Police and Municipal Court Open Records Request" when seeking arrest information.
Written Requests: Formal written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Hiram Police Department. All requests must include the requestor's contact information, specific details about the record being sought, and any applicable identification as required by Georgia law.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, the custodian of records must respond to 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.

Contents of a Hiram Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Hiram Police Department typically contain the following categories of information:

Biographical Data: Full legal name of the arrested individual, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors including height, weight, and identifying marks
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting officer information; agency case number
Offense Information: Nature of alleged criminal violations, Georgia Criminal Code citations, offense classification (misdemeanor or felony)
Processing Documentation: Booking photographs (mugshots), fingerprint records, personal property inventory
Case Disposition: Initial appearance information, bail determination, court dates, and preliminary hearing outcomes

The Hiram Municipal Court maintains subsequent judicial records related to arrests, including arraignment information, plea entries, trial proceedings, and final case dispositions. These records are maintained separately from initial arrest documentation but may be referenced within the comprehensive criminal history file.

Hiram Municipal Court
217 Main Street
Hiram, GA 30141
Phone: (770) 943-3726
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

Georgia's legal framework governing public access to arrest records is primarily established through the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 through § 50-18-77). This legislation creates a presumption of openness for government records while balancing legitimate privacy and security concerns.

Key provisions affecting Hiram arrest records include:

Presumption of Openness: Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70(a), public records, including arrest records, are presumed open for inspection by any citizen of Georgia.
Response Timeline: Records custodians must respond to requests within three business days as mandated by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(b)(1)(A).
Fee Structure: Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c), agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. The City of Hiram follows the statutory fee schedule of $0.10 per page for standard document copies.
Exemptions: Certain information within arrest records may be exempt from disclosure under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, including ongoing investigation materials, confidential informant identities, and juvenile records.

The Hiram Police Department serves as the primary custodian of arrest records within city limits and implements these statutory requirements through established departmental policies and procedures.

Limitations on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Hiram are generally public, several important limitations and restrictions apply to their accessibility and use:

Sealed and Expunged Records: Records that have been legally sealed or expunged pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37 are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile Records: Arrest records pertaining to individuals under 17 years of age are subject to confidentiality protections under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700 and are not publicly accessible except by court order.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to pending investigations may be temporarily withheld under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(4) if release would compromise law enforcement efforts.
Privacy Protections: Certain personal identifiers including Social Security numbers, medical information, and financial account details are redacted from public records pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(20).
Commercial Use Restrictions: While arrest records may be accessed by the public, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(l) prohibits using these records for commercial solicitation purposes.

The Hiram Municipal Court and Police Department maintain compliance with these statutory limitations through established redaction protocols and access controls.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Hiram

Georgia law provides mechanisms for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through a process commonly referred to as expungement, formally known as record restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Eligible individuals may petition to have arrest records restricted from public view under specific circumstances.

Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Hiram include:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges
Cases where charges were dismissed or nolle prossed
Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdicts)
First-offender dispositions after successful completion of sentence
Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders

The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which in Hiram is typically the Hiram Police Department. Following departmental review, the application is forwarded to the Paulding County District Attorney's Office for approval before transmission to the Georgia Crime Information Center for implementation.

Individuals seeking record restriction must file the appropriate petition with:

Hiram Police Department
Records Division
217 Main Street
Hiram, GA 30141

The petition must include court documentation verifying case disposition and a processing fee as established by state law. Successful restriction removes the record from public access but maintains it for law enforcement purposes.

Using Hiram Arrest Records for Background Checks

Arrest records maintained by the City of Hiram may be utilized for background screening purposes subject to applicable state and federal regulations. Employers, landlords, and other authorized entities conducting background checks should be aware of the following guidelines:

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Compliance: When using third-party consumer reporting agencies to obtain arrest record information, all provisions of the FCRA must be followed, including disclosure requirements and adverse action procedures.
Ban-the-Box Provisions: Georgia's "ban-the-box" executive order (applicable to state employment) and similar local ordinances may restrict when and how arrest record information can be considered in employment decisions.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Guidance: Employers should consider the nature and gravity of the offense, time elapsed since the offense, and relevance to the position sought when evaluating arrest records to avoid disparate impact discrimination.
Accuracy Verification: Users of arrest record information should verify the accuracy and completeness of records, as arrest data without disposition information may not reflect final case outcomes.

Individuals may request their own criminal history record from the Georgia Crime Information Center or through the Hiram Police Department to review for accuracy prior to background screening processes.