Walton County, Georgia Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Walton County, Georgia?
Arrest records are public in Walton County, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation mandates that governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, remain accessible to members of the public. The statute serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials. Citizens and other interested parties may request and obtain these records through established procedures, subject to certain statutory exemptions designed to protect sensitive information.
The Walton County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their official duties. While most arrest information is publicly available, certain details may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws, particularly in cases involving juveniles or ongoing investigations. The Sheriff's Office is responsible for ensuring compliance with both disclosure requirements and privacy protections under Georgia law.
Walton County Sheriff's Office
1425 S Madison Avenue
Monroe, GA 30655
Phone: (770) 267-6557
Walton County Sheriff's Office
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Walton County?
Walton County provides digital access to arrest records through several online platforms. The Walton County Jail Roster serves as the primary resource for current inmate information, with updates occurring multiple times daily to ensure accuracy. This digital accessibility aligns with Georgia's commitment to governmental transparency while streamlining the information retrieval process for citizens.
The online jail roster includes basic information about individuals currently detained in the Walton County Jail. For more comprehensive arrest records, including historical data, interested parties may need to utilize additional resources or submit formal requests. The Walton County Jail maintains these records in accordance with Georgia state retention schedules.
Digital access to arrest records is subject to the same legal restrictions that apply to physical records. Information related to ongoing investigations, sealed cases, or juvenile matters may not be available through online portals. The county's online systems are designed to balance public access rights with privacy considerations as mandated by state law.
How to Look Up Walton County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Walton County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information:
Online County Resources: The Walton County Jail Roster provides current inmate information and is updated regularly. This resource offers the most immediate access to recent arrest data.
Clerk of Superior Court: The Clerk's Office maintains criminal case records and can provide certified copies of arrest documentation upon request.
Walton County Clerk of Superior Court
303 S Hammond Drive, Suite 330
Monroe, GA 30655
Phone: (770) 267-1307
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMSheriff's Office Records Division: For comprehensive arrest records, including those not available online, citizens may submit requests directly to the Records Division.
Walton County Sheriff's Office Records Division
1425 S Madison Avenue
Monroe, GA 30655
Phone: (770) 267-6557
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PMGeorgia Bureau of Investigation: For statewide criminal history information, including arrests in Walton County, the GBI provides record checks through their Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC).
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
Phone: (404) 244-2600
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate searches, including the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Fees for record retrieval vary based on the type and volume of records requested, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71.
Contents of a Walton County Arrest Record
Walton County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Georgia law and local protocols. These official documents typically include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed, including Georgia Code references
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Case or incident number assigned by law enforcement
- Custody status and bond information
- Court appearance dates if scheduled
The Criminal Cases division of Walton County maintains these records in accordance with Georgia's records retention schedules. Certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in compliance with privacy laws, particularly in cases involving protected categories of individuals or sensitive investigations.
Law enforcement agencies in Walton County utilize standardized forms and digital systems for recording arrest information, ensuring consistency across jurisdictions within the county. These records serve both administrative and legal purposes, documenting the circumstances of arrests and providing essential information for subsequent judicial proceedings.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Walton County
Under Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain arrest records may be eligible for restriction (commonly referred to as expungement) in Walton County. The Administration Services division of the Walton County Sheriff's Office oversees the record restriction process. Eligible circumstances for record restriction include:
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges
- Cases where charges were dismissed or nolle prossed
- Arrests resulting in acquittals (not guilty verdicts)
- First offender or conditional discharge cases successfully completed
- Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which in Walton County is typically the Sheriff's Office or local police departments. The application must include:
- Certified copies of final dispositions from the appropriate court
- Proper identification of the applicant
- Payment of applicable processing fees
- Completed GBI Record Restriction Application form
Walton County Sheriff's Office - Records Division
1425 S Madison Avenue
Monroe, GA 30655
Phone: (770) 267-6557
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Upon receipt of a complete application, the Sheriff's Office reviews the request and forwards eligible cases to the Georgia Crime Information Center for processing. The restriction process may take several months to complete. Once restricted, the records will not appear in standard background checks conducted for non-criminal justice purposes, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified by state law.
Individuals with complex cases or questions about eligibility may benefit from consulting with legal counsel before initiating the record restriction process. The Walton County Courts can provide general information about the judicial aspects of record restriction.
Search Arrest Records in Walton County
