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Tennille Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Tennille, Georgia?

Arrest records in Tennille, Georgia are classified as public documents pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that official records created, maintained, or received by a public agency in Georgia, including arrest records, shall be available for inspection by any member of the public. The statute serves to promote government transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office and Tennille Police Department maintain these records in accordance with state regulations. While most arrest information is publicly accessible, certain exceptions exist under Georgia law, particularly for records related to ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety or individual privacy rights as specified in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.

How to Look Up Tennille Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Tennille, Georgia. Individuals seeking such information should be aware of the following authorized methods:

In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies: Citizens may submit requests directly to the Washington County Sheriff's Office located at 611 East Church Street, Sandersville, GA 31082. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and approximate date of arrest.
Tennille Police Department: Records may be requested from the Tennille Police Department at 106 Park Street, Tennille, GA 31089. The department maintains records of arrests occurring within city limits. Telephone inquiries may be directed to 478-552-7875 during regular business hours.
Washington County Clerk of Superior Court: The Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. Their office is located at 132 West Court Street, Sandersville, GA 31082, and operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Online Resources: The Washington County Sheriff's Office provides limited online access to current inmate information through their Jail Information portal. This resource includes basic booking information for individuals currently in custody.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may assess reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. Current fee schedules are posted at each agency location and typically include charges of $0.10 per page for standard document copies.

Contents of a Tennille Arrest Record

Official arrest records maintained by Tennille and Washington County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as mandated by Georgia Bureau of Investigation protocols. These records typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and residential address at time of arrest
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); agency responsible for the arrest
Criminal Charges: Complete listing of all charges filed, including Georgia Criminal Code citations and charge classifications (misdemeanor or felony)
Booking Information: Unique booking number, fingerprint classification data, and photographic identification (mugshot) taken during processing
Custody Status: Information regarding bail determination, bond amount if applicable, and current detention status
Case Disposition: Final outcome of the case if adjudicated, including dismissal, conviction, sentencing information, or other resolution
Agency Identifiers: Official case numbers, incident report references, and other administrative tracking information

In accordance with Georgia law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information protected under federal HIPAA regulations.

Legal Uses of Arrest Records in Tennille

Arrest records obtained from Tennille authorities may be utilized for various legitimate purposes as permitted under Georgia law. Authorized uses include:

Background Verification: Employers conducting pre-employment screening for positions involving public safety, financial responsibility, or vulnerable populations may review arrest records in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Georgia employment laws.
Housing Applications: Landlords and property management companies may utilize arrest information when evaluating rental applications, subject to limitations established in the Georgia Fair Housing Act.
Professional Licensing: State licensing boards for regulated professions may consider arrest records when evaluating applications for professional credentials or certifications.
Personal Safety: Individuals may access arrest records to make informed decisions regarding personal associations and community safety.
Legal Proceedings: Attorneys may obtain arrest records for use in civil or criminal proceedings where such information is relevant to pending litigation.

It should be noted that pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34.1, it is unlawful to discriminate against individuals solely on the basis of arrest records that did not result in conviction. Entities utilizing arrest information must comply with all applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Tennille

Under Georgia law, certain individuals may be eligible to have arrest records restricted from public access through a process formerly known as expungement and now referred to as record restriction. The Georgia Criminal Record Restriction Law (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37) establishes the following eligibility criteria:

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
Conditional discharge completions for certain offenses

The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which in Tennille would be either the Washington County Sheriff's Office or Tennille Police Department. Applications must include:

Completed GBI Record Restriction Application form
Certified copies of final disposition documents
Government-issued photo identification
Processing fee (currently $25, subject to change)

Upon approval, restricted records are sealed from public view but remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j). The Washington County Clerk of Superior Court can provide guidance on the specific procedures applicable to local cases at their office located at 132 West Court Street, Sandersville, GA 31082.