Tattnall County, Georgia Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Tattnall County, Georgia?
Arrest records are public documents in Tattnall County, 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, shall be accessible to members of the public for inspection and duplication. The statute serves to uphold principles of governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizen access to public records.
The Tattnall County Sheriff's Office maintains custody of arrest records within the jurisdiction and processes requests for access in accordance with state law. Requesters may obtain copies of arrest records by submitting a formal request to the Records Division. Under Georgia law, custodians of public records must respond to requests within three business days, either by providing the requested documents or citing specific legal exemptions that prevent disclosure.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted prior to release, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account information
- Medical information protected under HIPAA
- Information pertaining to ongoing investigations
- Juvenile records (subject to restrictions under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700)
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Tattnall County?
Tattnall County provides digital access to certain arrest records through official government portals and authorized third-party platforms. The Tattnall County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search function that displays current detention status and basic arrest information for individuals in custody at the Tattnall County Detention Center.
The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), operated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, serves as the central repository for criminal history information statewide. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, members of the public may request criminal history records through the GCIC for specified purposes, though such requests typically require fingerprint submission and payment of statutory fees.
Digital access to arrest records is subject to the following provisions:
- Records available online may not contain complete arrest information
- Certain case details may be accessible only through in-person requests
- Records pertaining to sealed or expunged cases will not appear in online databases
- Information regarding pending investigations may be restricted from public view
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
(404) 244-2600
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
How to Look Up Tattnall County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methodologies exist for obtaining arrest records in Tattnall County as of 2025. Requesters may utilize the following procedures to access such documentation:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Tattnall County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Requesters must complete a standard records request form and provide valid identification. Processing fees apply in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.
The Georgia Courts E-Access portal provides electronic access to court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings. Users must create an account and may incur usage fees for certain searches or document retrievals.
The Tattnall County Clerk of Superior Court maintains records of criminal proceedings that follow arrests. These records may be accessed through the clerk's office during regular business hours.
The Georgia Department of Corrections offers an online offender search for individuals who have been sentenced to state custody following conviction.
Tattnall County Sheriff's Office
123 E. Brazell Street
Reidsville, GA 30453
(912) 557-6777
Tattnall County Sheriff's Office
Tattnall County Clerk of Superior Court
P.O. Box 39
Reidsville, GA 30453
(912) 557-6778
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tattnall County Clerk of Court
Contents of a Tattnall County Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Tattnall County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive documentation of the circumstances and procedures associated with an individual's detention. Standard arrest records include the following components:
- Biographical information of the arrestee (full legal name, date of birth, physical descriptors, residential address)
- Date, time, and geographic location of the arrest
- Statutory citations for alleged violations of Georgia law or local ordinances
- Narrative description of the incident prepared by the arresting officer
- Booking photographs ("mugshots") taken during processing
- Fingerprint impressions collected during booking procedures
- Detention status information, including bond amounts if applicable
- Case disposition information if available
- Arresting agency identification and officer information
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, law enforcement agencies must submit arrest fingerprints and identifying information to the Georgia Crime Information Center within 24 hours of arrest. This information becomes part of the state's criminal history repository and is subject to specific dissemination rules established by state law.
The level of detail contained in publicly accessible versions of arrest records may vary based on case status, applicable exemptions under the Open Records Act, and redactions necessary to protect sensitive information as determined by the records custodian.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Tattnall County
Georgia law provides mechanisms for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through a process formerly known as expungement and now referred to as record restriction. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, individuals may petition for the restriction of arrest records under specific circumstances, including:
- Cases resulting in non-conviction (dismissal, nolle prosequi, acquittal)
- First offender dispositions after successful completion of probation
- Conditional discharge completions for certain offenses
- Arrests for misdemeanors committed by individuals under 21 years of age (subject to waiting periods and conditions)
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards approved requests to the Georgia Crime Information Center. Upon approval, restricted records are sealed from public view but remain accessible to criminal justice agencies for law enforcement purposes.
Certain categories of charges are ineligible for restriction, including:
- Serious violent felonies as defined in O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1
- Sexual offenses against minors
- Certain driving offenses including DUI
Individuals seeking record restriction may benefit from legal consultation to navigate the procedural requirements. The Tattnall County Solicitor-General's Office can provide guidance regarding eligibility for record restriction in misdemeanor cases.
Tattnall County Solicitor-General's Office
108 W. Daniel Street
Reidsville, GA 30453
(912) 557-6093
Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Search Arrest Records in Tattnall County.
