Arrest records are public documents in Conyers, 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 those documenting arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be available for inspection by any member of the public. The statute serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to records detailing the activities of public agencies, including the Conyers Police Department and the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office.
The Georgia Open Records Act specifically designates arrest records as public information, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and records sealed by court order. Individuals seeking access to arrest records in Conyers may obtain these documents through established procedures maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the Rockdale County court system.
Multiple methods exist for members of the public to access arrest records in Conyers, Georgia. The following procedures are established pursuant to Georgia law and local administrative regulations:
Conyers Police Department
1194 Scott Street
Conyers, GA 30012
(770) 483-6600
Conyers Police Department
Rockdale County Sheriff's Office
911 Chambers Drive
Conyers, GA 30012
(770) 278-8000
Rockdale County Sheriff's Office
Written Requests: Individuals may submit formal written requests for arrest records via U.S. mail. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and case number (if known). A self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for applicable fees should accompany all written requests.
Online Access: The Rockdale County Clerk of Courts maintains an electronic database through which certain arrest record information may be accessed. This system operates in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 15-6-61, which authorizes court clerks to maintain electronic records.
Rockdale County Clerk of Courts
945 Court Street
Conyers, GA 30012
(770) 278-7800
Rockdale County Courts
Arrest records maintained by Conyers law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Georgia Bureau of Investigation protocols and local administrative procedures. Standard arrest records include the following components:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and residential address at time of arrest.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); agency case number; and circumstances leading to the arrest.
Criminal Charges: All charges filed against the individual, including the Georgia Code section(s) allegedly violated, classification of offense(s) as misdemeanor or felony, and preliminary court information.
Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprint classification, and photographic identification (mugshot) taken during the booking process.
Custody Status: Information regarding pretrial detention, release on recognizance, or bail/bond amount as set by the magistrate pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 17-6-1.
Court Proceedings: Initial appearance date, preliminary hearing information, and subsequent court dates as scheduled by the Rockdale County judicial system.
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information.
Under Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, individuals may petition for restriction and sealing of arrest records under certain qualifying circumstances. The process, formerly known as expungement, is now officially termed "record restriction" in Georgia statutes.
Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Conyers include:
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, typically the Conyers Police Department or Rockdale County Sheriff's Office. Upon verification of eligibility, the application is forwarded to the Georgia Crime Information Center for processing. If approved, the arrest record is restricted from public disclosure, though it remains accessible to law enforcement agencies and for certain employment positions as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j).
Rockdale County District Attorney's Office
948 Bank Street NE
Conyers, GA 30012
(770) 278-7900
Rockdale County District Attorney
Individuals seeking record restriction must pay applicable processing fees, currently set at $25 per request, plus additional fees for fingerprinting services if required. Fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants upon submission of an affidavit of indigency to the court.
While arrest records are generally public in Conyers, Georgia law establishes specific exceptions to public disclosure. The following categories of arrest records are subject to restricted access:
Law enforcement agencies in Conyers maintain discretion to withhold certain details from arrest records when disclosure would compromise public safety or interfere with pending prosecutions. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis in accordance with provisions of the Georgia Open Records Act.