Arrest records in Warrenton, Georgia are considered public documents pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within municipal boundaries. The Act stipulates that official records maintained by public agencies shall be available for inspection by citizens and other interested parties, with certain statutory exceptions.
The Warrenton Police Department maintains custody of local arrest records in accordance with state recordkeeping requirements. These documents serve multiple public interest functions, including:
Individuals seeking access to arrest records may submit requests to the appropriate custodial agency. While most arrest information is publicly accessible, certain details may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information as provided under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public to access arrest records in Warrenton, Georgia. Requestors may utilize the following resources to obtain this information:
Warrenton Police Department
121 Battle Street
Warrenton, GA 30828
(706) 465-3309
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Warrenton City Departments
The Police Department maintains primary custody of arrest records for incidents occurring within city limits. Requestors may submit written applications in person during regular business hours. Standard identification is required, and applicable copying fees may apply per the department's fee schedule.
Warren County Sheriff's Office
48 Gibson Highway
Warrenton, GA 30828
(706) 465-3348
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The Sheriff's Office maintains records for arrests conducted by county deputies, including those occurring in Warrenton. Written requests must specify the name of the subject and approximate date of arrest when known.
Warren County Clerk of Superior Court
Warren County Courthouse
521 Main Street
Warrenton, GA 30828
(706) 465-2271
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests, including case dispositions and court proceedings. These records may be accessed through public terminals located in the courthouse during regular business hours.
Online access options have expanded in recent years, with the following digital resources now available:
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, requestors seeking official criminal history information must submit fingerprints and pay applicable statutory fees.
Standard arrest records maintained by Warrenton law enforcement agencies contain specific categories of information as required by Georgia law and departmental policies. These documents typically include:
Supplementary information may include incident reports, officer narratives, and witness statements, though access to these materials may be restricted during active investigations pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(4).
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains standards for arrest record formats through its Georgia Crime Information Center division. Local agencies in Warrenton adhere to these standardized formats to ensure consistency in recordkeeping across jurisdictions.
Georgia law provides mechanisms for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The process, formerly known as expungement, is now officially termed "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37.
Individuals may qualify for record restriction in Warrenton if their case meets one of the following criteria:
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which in Warrenton would typically be the Warrenton Police Department. The application must include:
Upon receipt of a properly completed application, the arresting agency must verify eligibility and forward approved requests to the Georgia Crime Information Center within 30 days. If approved, the restricted records will no longer appear in standard background checks, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(2).
Individuals with complex cases or questions regarding eligibility may consult with the Warren County Public Defender's Office or private legal counsel. The Georgia Justice Project also provides resources regarding record restriction procedures.
Arrest records obtained from Warrenton authorities may be utilized for various legitimate purposes as permitted under Georgia law. Authorized uses include:
Users of arrest record information must comply with applicable federal and state laws governing the use of such data, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) when records are used for employment or housing decisions.
Georgia law prohibits discrimination based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34.1, it is unlawful for employers to disqualify applicants based on arrests, charges, or indictments that did not result in conviction unless there is a direct relationship between the offense and the position sought.
Public agencies and private entities that maintain repositories of arrest record information must implement reasonable security measures to prevent unauthorized access or misuse of such data.