Cedartown Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Cedartown, Georgia?
Arrest records are public documents in Cedartown, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that official records maintained by government agencies, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement, shall be accessible to members of the public for inspection and duplication. The statute serves to promote governmental transparency, facilitate public oversight of law enforcement activities, and ensure accountability within the criminal justice system. Exceptions to disclosure may apply in certain circumstances as provided by state law, such as ongoing investigations or records sealed by court order.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office and Cedartown Police Department maintain these records in accordance with state recordkeeping requirements. Citizens seeking access to arrest information may submit formal requests to the appropriate agency, which must respond within three business days as mandated by Georgia law.
How to Look Up Cedartown Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Cedartown, Georgia. Requestors should be prepared to provide specific identifying information to facilitate accurate record retrieval. Available methods include:
In-person requests at the Cedartown Police Department located at 118 North Main Street, Cedartown, GA 30125. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Written requests submitted to the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 1676 Rockmart Highway, Cedartown, GA 30125. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known.
Online access through the Polk County Sheriff's Office inmate search portal, which provides limited information on current detainees and recent arrests.
Court records related to arrests may be accessed at the Polk County Courthouse, Clerk of Superior Court, located at 100 Prior Street, Suite 1, Cedartown, GA 30125. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) background checks, which include arrest history, may be requested through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for a statutory fee of $25.00 per record search.
Requestors should note that processing times vary based on the volume of requests and complexity of the search. Fees for copies of records are assessed in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.
Contents of a Cedartown Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by Cedartown law enforcement agencies contain comprehensive documentation of the arrest event and subsequent processing. These official documents typically include the following elements:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address
Date, time, and specific location where the arrest occurred
Statutory citations and descriptions of all criminal charges filed
Name, badge number, and agency affiliation of the arresting officer(s)
Narrative report detailing the circumstances leading to the arrest
Booking information, including the assigned identification number, fingerprint classification, and detention facility
Photographic documentation (mugshot) taken during the booking process
Property inventory listing items in the arrestee's possession at the time of arrest
Preliminary hearing date, if scheduled at the time of booking
Bond information, including type and amount if established
Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction, if applicable
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains standardized arrest record formats that comply with state and federal reporting requirements. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, all law enforcement agencies must submit arrest fingerprints and identifying data to the Georgia Crime Information Center within 24 hours of arrest.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Cedartown
The State of Georgia provides statutory mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for restriction and sealing of arrest records, a process formerly known as expungement. The Georgia Record Restriction law (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37) establishes specific criteria and procedures for this remedial action.
Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Cedartown include:
- Cases resulting in non-conviction outcomes, such as nolle prosequi, dismissal, or acquittal
- First-offender dispositions after successful completion of sentence (pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60)
- Certain misdemeanor convictions for offenses committed by individuals under 21 years of age
- Arrests for which no formal charges were filed within the applicable statute of limitations
- Certain felony convictions after completion of sentence and absence of subsequent arrests for a minimum of four years
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which conducts an initial review for eligibility. If approved at the agency level, the application proceeds to the Polk County District Attorney's Office for final determination. Upon approval, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is notified to restrict access to the record in the state's criminal history database.
Applicants should note that record restriction does not physically destroy arrest documentation but rather limits its disclosure to the general public. Certain government agencies, including law enforcement and licensing boards, retain access to restricted records as authorized by state law.
The Polk County Courthouse provides application forms and procedural guidance for record restriction petitions. A processing fee of $50.00 applies to each application, though fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants upon submission of an affidavit of indigency.
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