Arrest records in Aragon, Georgia are considered public documents and are accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is established under Georgia's Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), which provides citizens with the right to inspect and copy public records maintained by state and local government agencies. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and local law enforcement agencies in Aragon maintain these records as part of their official duties. Public access to arrest records serves multiple purposes, including promoting transparency in the criminal justice system, enabling background checks for employment or housing, and allowing citizens to monitor law enforcement activities within their communities.
Pursuant to Georgia law, certain exceptions may apply to the disclosure of arrest records. Records pertaining to ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or cases where charges were dismissed may have restricted access. Additionally, records that have been sealed or expunged by court order are not available for public inspection. The custodian of records at the respective agency determines whether a specific arrest record falls under any exemption category before releasing the information to requesters.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Aragon, Georgia may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The Polk County Sheriff's Office, which has jurisdiction over Aragon, maintains records of arrests conducted within its boundaries. Individuals may access these records through the following channels:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Polk County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours to submit a request for arrest records. Proper identification is required, and a nominal fee may apply for document reproduction.
Polk County Sheriff's Office
100 West Avenue
Cedartown, GA 30125
(770) 748-7131
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Online Portal Access: The Polk County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search portal where recent arrest information can be accessed. This system is updated regularly and provides basic information about individuals currently in custody or recently arrested.
Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC): For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may submit requests through the GCIC, which maintains statewide arrest records.
Georgia Crime Information Center
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
(404) 244-2600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Third-Party Background Check Services: Commercial services that aggregate public records may provide arrest information, though these sources may not always contain complete or up-to-date information.
Requesters must provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Aragon typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard elements included in these official documents are as follows:
Biographical Information: Full legal name, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and any identifying marks such as tattoos or scars.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; the arresting agency; name and badge number of the arresting officer; and the legal authority under which the arrest was made.
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Georgia state law or local ordinances for which the individual was arrested, including the corresponding statute or code section numbers.
Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprints, mugshot photographs, and personal property inventory taken at the time of processing.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, court appearance dates, and current detention status.
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions, if applicable and included in the jurisdiction's record-keeping system.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, establishes standards for the collection, storage, and dissemination of criminal history record information throughout the state. Local agencies in Aragon adhere to these standards when creating and maintaining arrest records.
Georgia law provides mechanisms for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The process, formerly known as expungement, is now referred to as record restriction in Georgia legal terminology. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, individuals may petition for the restriction of arrest records in cases where:
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards approved applications to the Georgia Crime Information Center for processing. For arrests occurring in Aragon, applications must be submitted to:
Polk County Probate Court
100 Prior Street
Cedartown, GA 30125
(770) 749-2114
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Applicants must provide certified copies of court dispositions and pay applicable processing fees. Upon approval, the restricted records are sealed from public view but remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified by Georgia law. Record restriction does not physically destroy the arrest record but limits its disclosure to the general public.
Individuals with felony convictions or multiple arrests may face additional requirements or limitations on their eligibility for record restriction. Legal counsel is advisable for navigating the complexities of the record restriction process, particularly in cases involving multiple jurisdictions or serious offenses.