>Union County Arrest Records Online

Union County, Georgia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Union County, Georgia?

Arrest records are public documents in Union County, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the legal framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The statute affirms that public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying by any citizen of the state at a reasonable time and place.

The Union County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their official duties under Georgia law. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental purposes, including:

Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
Facilitating public oversight of the criminal justice system
Providing necessary information for background checks and public safety
Supporting the constitutional principle of open government

Exceptions to public disclosure may apply in certain circumstances as outlined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, such as ongoing investigations or records that would compromise security measures. However, the general presumption favors disclosure rather than withholding of information.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Union County?

Union County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms as part of the county's digital government initiatives. The Union County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that provides public access to arrest information in accordance with Georgia's Open Records Act.

The online availability of these records is governed by the following provisions:

Records are updated regularly but may not reflect real-time information
Certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws
Online records typically include basic arrest information rather than complete case files
Access to certain detailed records may require submission of a formal Open Records Request through the county's official portal

The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) also maintains a statewide database that includes Union County arrests, though access to this system may be restricted to authorized agencies and individuals with legitimate purposes as defined by state law.

How to Look Up Union County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Union County arrest records have multiple official channels through which to obtain this information. The following methods are available pursuant to Georgia's Open Records Act:

Online Records Portal: The Union County government website provides access to the county's public records system where basic arrest information can be searched by name, date, or case number.
Sheriff's Office Records Division: Citizens may submit requests in person or by mail to:

Union County Sheriff's Office
378 Beasley Street
Blairsville, GA 30512
Phone: (706) 439-6066
Official Website
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Union County Clerk of Superior Court: Court records related to arrests can be obtained from:

Union County Clerk of Superior Court
65 Courthouse Street, Suite 1
Blairsville, GA 30512
Phone: (706) 439-6020
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Open Records Request: Formal requests can be submitted through the county's Open Records Request portal in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which requires agencies to respond within three business days.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record retrieval, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information. Fees may apply for record retrieval and copying as permitted under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c).

Contents of a Union County Arrest Record

Union County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Georgia law and maintained in accordance with Georgia Bureau of Investigation guidelines. These official documents typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Residential address at time of arrest (may be partially redacted in public versions)
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including Georgia Code references
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs ("mugshots") as permitted under O.C.G.A. § 35-1-19
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Case disposition information, if available
Bond information, including amount set and whether posted
Court appearance dates and locations

The level of detail available to the public may vary based on the status of the case and applicable exemptions under Georgia law. Records related to juvenile arrests are subject to additional confidentiality protections under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700 and may not be accessible through standard public records requests.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Union 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. In Union County, individuals may petition for record restriction under the following circumstances:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges
Cases where charges were dismissed or nolle prossed
Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdicts)
First offender dispositions after successful completion of sentence
Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders

The record restriction process requires submission of appropriate documentation to:

Union County Superior Court
65 Courthouse Street
Blairsville, GA 30512
Phone: (706) 439-6020
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Petitioners must complete Form RC-1, available from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or the Union County Courthouse. The petition must be filed in the court where the case was adjudicated or would have been adjudicated. Filing fees may apply unless waived by the court upon showing of financial hardship.

Upon approval of a record restriction petition, the arrest record will be sealed from public view but remains accessible to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and certain employers as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(2). The restriction process does not physically destroy records but limits their disclosure to authorized entities.