Arrest records are public documents in Jasper, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the legal framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within the jurisdiction. The Georgia Open Records Act operates under the presumption that all government records should be accessible to citizens unless specifically exempted by statute. This transparency measure enables members of the public to monitor law enforcement activities, verify the accuracy of information, and hold government agencies accountable for their actions. The Pickens County Sheriff's Office and the Jasper Police Department maintain these records in accordance with state regulations governing records retention and public accessibility.
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may obtain arrest records in Jasper, Georgia. Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information about the subject of the inquiry and may be required to submit formal applications in accordance with established protocols. The following methods are available for accessing arrest records:
Pickens County Sheriff's Office: The primary law enforcement agency for the county maintains arrest records for the jurisdiction. Requestors may submit applications in person during regular business hours.
Jasper Police Department: For arrests made within city limits, the municipal police department serves as the custodian of records. Written requests must include the subject's full name and date of birth.
Pickens County Clerk of Superior Court: Court records related to arrests, including indictments and case dispositions, are maintained at the courthouse. The Clerk's office processes requests for certified copies of these documents.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI): The state's investigative agency maintains the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), which houses criminal history information. Official background checks may be requested through this agency for employment or licensing purposes.
Pickens County Sheriff's Office
2985 Camp Road
Jasper, GA 30143
(706) 253-8900
Pickens County Sheriff's Office
Jasper Police Department
200 Burnt Mountain Road
Jasper, GA 30143
(706) 692-9110
Jasper Police Department
Pickens County Clerk of Superior Court
50 North Main Street, Suite 102
Jasper, GA 30143
(706) 253-8763
Pickens County Clerk of Court
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Jasper, Georgia contain standardized information as prescribed by the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) and local protocols. These documents serve as the official record of an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system at the point of apprehension. Standard components of an arrest record include:
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain information contained within arrest records may be redacted prior to public release, particularly when the record contains data pertaining to ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or victims of certain crimes. The custodian of records is responsible for ensuring that protected information is properly withheld in accordance with statutory exemptions.
The State of Georgia provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the restriction and sealing of arrest records, a process formerly known as expungement. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain arrest records may be eligible for restriction from public disclosure under specific circumstances. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation administers this program in coordination with local law enforcement agencies and courts.
Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Jasper include:
The restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards the request to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office for review. If approved, the Georgia Crime Information Center will restrict the record from public disclosure, though the information remains available to law enforcement agencies and for certain employment positions as specified by statute.
Individuals seeking record restriction must file a petition with the Pickens County Superior Court and may benefit from legal counsel to navigate the procedural requirements. The court filing fee is $157, though fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants. Processing times typically range from 90 to 180 days from the date of application submission.
Pickens County District Attorney's Office
50 North Main Street, Suite 107
Jasper, GA 30143
(706) 253-8170
Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney