Arrest records in White County, Georgia are classified as public records pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within county jurisdiction. The Georgia Open Records Act operates under the presumption that all government records should be accessible to citizens unless specifically exempted by statute.
Members of the public may inspect these records for various purposes, including background checks, legal research, or general information gathering. The White County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to document law enforcement activities within the county. While most arrest information is publicly accessible, certain elements may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information as provided under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
White County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The White County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to booking information and current inmate status through their official website. Additionally, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains a statewide database that includes arrest information from White County law enforcement agencies.
The Georgia Courts E-Access portal serves as a centralized system where users can search for court cases related to arrests in White County. This system requires registration and may involve nominal fees for certain searches or document retrievals. The online availability of these records facilitates public access while reducing administrative burden on county offices.
Digital access to arrest records is subject to the same legal restrictions as physical records, with certain information potentially redacted in accordance with privacy laws and investigative exemptions under Georgia statutes.
Individuals seeking White County arrest records may utilize multiple channels to obtain this information. The White County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of local arrest data and provides several methods for public access:
In-person requests can be submitted at the Records Division of the White County Sheriff's Office located at 1210 Hulsey Road, Cleveland, GA 30528. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Telephone inquiries may be directed to the Records Division at (706) 865-5177 during regular business hours.
Written requests can be mailed to: White County Sheriff's Office, Records Division, 1210 Hulsey Road, Cleveland, GA 30528. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest.
Online searches are available through the White County Court Records portal, which provides access to arrest and court case information.
Requesters should note that fees may apply for record retrieval and copying services. As established by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. Current fee schedules include $5.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page of printed records.
For comprehensive criminal history information, requesters may need to contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Georgia Crime Information Center at 3121 Panthersville Road, Decatur, GA 30034, or call (404) 244-2600.
White County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Georgia law enforcement protocols. These documents typically include the following elements:
Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and residential address
Unique identifiers such as booking numbers, case numbers, and fingerprint classification codes
Temporal information detailing the date and time of arrest, booking procedures, and initial court appearances
Jurisdictional data identifying the arresting agency, officer badge numbers, and location of arrest
Criminal charge information, including the specific Georgia Code sections allegedly violated, charge severity (misdemeanor or felony), and brief narrative of the alleged offense
Procedural documentation including Miranda rights acknowledgment, property inventory, and medical screening results
Photographic documentation in the form of standardized mugshots taken from front and profile perspectives
Bond information including type (cash, property, or signature), amount set, and payment status
Court processing data including arraignment dates, plea entries, and case disposition when available
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, particularly in cases involving minors, sexual assault victims, or ongoing investigations where disclosure could compromise public safety.
The State of Georgia provides legal mechanisms for the restriction and sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances through a process formerly known as expungement and now officially termed "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. White County residents may petition for record restriction when:
Arrests did not result in formal charges being filed within the statute of limitations period
Prosecutorial dismissal of charges occurred prior to indictment or accusation
Grand jury proceedings resulted in no bills of indictment
Court dismissal of proceedings occurred before trial
Acquittal was achieved through trial verdict
Completion of pretrial diversion or first offender programs was successful with no subsequent convictions
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, typically the White County Sheriff's Office. If approved at the agency level, the request is forwarded to the Georgia Crime Information Center for implementation at the state level. Application forms are available at:
White County Clerk of Superior Court
59 South Main Street, Suite B
Cleveland, GA 30528
(706) 865-2613
White County Court Records
Applicants should note that certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for restriction, including serious violent felonies, sexual offenses, and crimes against minors or elderly persons as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j).
Successful record restriction prevents the dissemination of arrest information to private entities but does not completely remove records from law enforcement databases. Criminal justice agencies retain access to restricted records for official purposes.