Augusta Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Augusta, Georgia?
Arrest records are public in Augusta, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that all public records, including arrest records, shall be available for inspection and copying by any member of the public. The law serves to maintain transparency and accountability in governmental and law enforcement operations throughout the state of Georgia, including Augusta-Richmond County.
Members of the public seeking arrest records may submit requests to the appropriate custodian of records. The Richmond County Sheriff's Office maintains most arrest records for incidents occurring within Augusta-Richmond County jurisdiction. Pursuant to Georgia law, agencies must respond to open records requests within three business days, though complex requests may require additional processing time.
Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under Georgia law, including ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and records sealed by court order. Additionally, certain identifying information such as Social Security numbers, medical information, and other personal data may be redacted prior to release in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
How to Look Up Augusta Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Augusta, Georgia. The following methods are available as of 2025:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Richmond County Sheriff's Office to submit formal requests for arrest records. The records division processes these requests during regular business hours.
Richmond County Sheriff's Office
400 Walton Way
Augusta, GA 30901
(706) 821-1000
Richmond County Sheriff's OfficeOnline Open Records Portal: Augusta-Richmond County Government maintains an online portal for submitting open records requests. This system allows requestors to specify the type of records sought and track the status of their requests.
Augusta-Richmond County Clerk of Court: For arrest records that have proceeded to court action, the Clerk of Court maintains case files that may be accessed by the public.
Augusta-Richmond County Clerk of Court
735 James Brown Boulevard, Suite 1400
Augusta, GA 30901
(706) 821-2340
Civil & Magistrate CourtGeorgia Crime Information Center (GCIC): The GCIC maintains a statewide database of criminal histories that includes arrest records from Augusta and other jurisdictions throughout Georgia.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation - GCIC
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
(404) 244-2600
Georgia Bureau of InvestigationCase Management Search: The Augusta-Richmond County Case Management Search system provides online access to certain court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings.
Requestors should note that fees may apply for record retrieval and copying services. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.
Contents of an Augusta Arrest Record
Augusta arrest records contain standardized information as required by Georgia law and local protocols. These records typically include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known monikers
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and identification of arresting officer(s)
- Enumeration of all charges filed, including Georgia Code citations and charge classifications
- Booking photographs (mugshots) and fingerprint impressions
- Detention status information, including bond/bail amount if applicable
- Case disposition information if available
- Court docket numbers and scheduled court appearance dates
- Incident report numbers and related documentation references
Law enforcement agencies in Augusta-Richmond County maintain these records in accordance with Georgia records retention schedules. The level of detail contained in publicly accessible versions of these records may vary based on the status of the case and applicable privacy provisions under Georgia law.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Augusta
The State of Georgia utilizes the term "record restriction" rather than expungement for the process of limiting public access to certain arrest records. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, individuals may qualify for record restriction under specific circumstances. The following conditions may render an arrest record eligible for restriction in Augusta:
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges
- Cases resulting in dismissal or nolle prosequi
- Cases where the individual was acquitted of all charges
- Arrests for certain misdemeanor offenses committed by individuals under 21 years of age
- Successful completion of pre-trial diversion or first offender programs
- Pardoned offenses (excluding serious violent felonies)
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which in Augusta is typically the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. The application must include:
- Certified copies of final dispositions from the Augusta-Richmond County Clerk of Court
- Proper identification of the applicant
- Payment of applicable processing fees
Upon receipt of a complete application, the arresting agency forwards the request to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for processing. If approved, the record becomes restricted from public disclosure, though it remains accessible to law enforcement agencies, certain licensing boards, and other authorized governmental entities.
Individuals seeking record restriction should be aware that the process does not eliminate all traces of an arrest. Rather, it limits access to specified records by removing them from public databases while maintaining them for legitimate governmental purposes.
Search Arrest Records in Augusta
