Zebulon Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Zebulon, Georgia?
Arrest records are public documents in Zebulon, Georgia, accessible to all members of the public. This accessibility is governed by the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), which establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be available for inspection by any person during normal business hours. The statute specifically designates arrest records as public information unless they fall under specific exemptions outlined in § 50-18-72. These exemptions primarily relate to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety or individual privacy rights as determined by judicial order.
The Pike County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for Zebulon and surrounding areas within the county jurisdiction. Citizens seeking access to these records may submit requests in person, by mail, or through designated electronic platforms. Pursuant to § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records, not to exceed $0.10 per page for letter or legal-sized documents.
Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and civic purposes, including promoting transparency in law enforcement operations, facilitating background checks for employment or housing, and enabling citizens to monitor the activities of local government agencies. The Georgia Open Records Act establishes a presumption of openness, placing the burden on government agencies to demonstrate why specific records should be withheld from public view.
How to Look Up Zebulon Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for members of the public to access arrest records in Zebulon, Georgia. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following official channels:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Pike County Sheriff's Office located at 91 Jackson Street, Zebulon, GA 30295. Office hours for public record requests are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
Written requests may be directed to the Records Division, Pike County Sheriff's Office, P.O. Box 587, Zebulon, GA 30295. All written requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, and specific information sought.
The Pike County Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings at 16001 Barnesville Street, Zebulon, GA 30295. Public access hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Electronic access may be available through the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) for authorized entities. The GCIC operates under the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and provides criminal history record information pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34.
Third-party background check services may access arrest records through official channels and provide this information to subscribers in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.).
Requestors should note that pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(d), agencies must respond to open records requests within three business days. If records cannot be produced within this timeframe, the agency must provide a written description of the records and a timeline for their production.
Contents of a Zebulon Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Zebulon, Georgia typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Georgia Bureau of Investigation protocols. These records generally include the following components:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and residential address at time of arrest.
Arrest details, including date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred.
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including Georgia Code citations and charge descriptions.
Case identification numbers assigned by the arresting agency and the court system.
Booking information, including mugshot photographs taken from front and side angles, fingerprint records, and any distinguishing physical characteristics.
Name, badge number, and department of the arresting officer(s).
Preliminary incident report summarizing the circumstances leading to the arrest.
Custody status information, including whether the individual was released on bond, the bond amount, or if the person remains in detention.
Court appearance dates scheduled at the time of processing.
Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction, if applicable.
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and medical information. Additionally, if the arrest involved a victim of certain crimes, the victim's identifying information may be protected from disclosure under Georgia's victim's rights provisions.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Zebulon
The State of Georgia provides statutory mechanisms for the restriction and sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, individuals may petition for record restriction (formerly called expungement) when:
- The case was dismissed or nolle prossed.
- The individual was found not guilty by a judge or jury.
- The individual successfully completed a pre-trial diversion or first offender program.
- The arrest occurred before July 1, 2013, and the case has not been referred for prosecution within two years.
- The individual was convicted of certain misdemeanors while under the age of 21.
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, typically the Pike County Sheriff's Office for Zebulon arrests. If approved by the law enforcement agency, the request is forwarded to the Georgia Crime Information Center for implementation. If denied, applicants may file a civil petition in the Superior Court of Pike County located at 16001 Barnesville Street, Zebulon, GA 30295.
Effective July 1, 2020, Georgia law expanded record restriction eligibility through the Second Chance Law (Senate Bill 288). This legislation allows individuals to petition for restriction of certain misdemeanor convictions after a four-year period without any new convictions. The petition must be filed with the court in which the conviction occurred.
It should be noted that record restriction in Georgia does not physically destroy arrest records but rather limits their disclosure to the general public. Certain government agencies, including law enforcement and licensing boards, may still access restricted records for official purposes as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(5).
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