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Washington Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Washington, Georgia?

Arrest records are public documents in Washington, 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 within the jurisdiction. The Act affirms that public records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of the state at a reasonable time and place.

The Washington Municipal Court maintains these records in accordance with state law. Citizens seeking access to arrest records may submit requests through the appropriate channels established by local authorities. While most arrest records are accessible to the public, certain exceptions exist under Georgia law, including:

Records pertaining to pending investigations
Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
Records sealed by court order
Information that would compromise personal privacy beyond the public interest
Records that might endanger public safety if disclosed

The Washington Police Department processes arrest record requests in compliance with O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, which governs the dissemination of criminal history record information.

How to Look Up Washington Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Washington, Georgia may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The Washington Municipal Court serves as the primary repository for local arrest records and provides multiple access methods to accommodate various needs.

In-person requests may be submitted at:

Washington Municipal Court
102 E. Liberty Street
Washington, GA 30673
Phone: (706) 678-3277
City of Washington official website

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding federal holidays

The following methods are available for accessing arrest records:

In-person requests: Citizens may visit the Municipal Court clerk's office during regular business hours to submit a request form. Valid government-issued identification is required.
Mail requests: Standard request forms may be downloaded from the City of Washington website and mailed to the Municipal Court with the appropriate fee payment.
County Clerk's Office: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be available through:

Washington County Clerk of Superior Court
132 W. Court Street
Sandersville, GA 31082
Phone: (478) 552-2550
Washington County Clerk of Court

Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC): For statewide criminal history information, requests may be submitted to the GCIC with appropriate identification and fees.

Requestors should note that processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and current administrative workload. Standard processing typically requires 3-5 business days.

Contents of a Washington Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Washington, Georgia law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as mandated by Georgia Code § 35-3-33. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in arrest.

A comprehensive Washington arrest record typically contains the following elements:

Biographical information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and last known address
Physical descriptors: Height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Arrest details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer
Offense information: Specific charges filed, including Georgia Code citations; classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies
Case disposition: Current status of the case within the judicial system
Booking data: Fingerprints, mugshot photographs, and unique identification numbers
Custody status: Information regarding release on bond, bail amount, or continued detention
Court information: Scheduled court appearances, assigned judge, and case numbers

The Washington Police Department maintains these records in accordance with Georgia Records Retention Schedules, which typically require permanent retention of felony arrest records and seven-year retention for misdemeanor arrests.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Washington

The State of Georgia provides a legal mechanism for the restriction and sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances through O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. This process, formerly known as expungement, is now officially termed "record restriction" in Georgia law.

Individuals may qualify for record restriction in Washington, Georgia under the following conditions:

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 or conditional discharge cases successfully completed
Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders (under 21 at time of offense)
Pardoned offenses (excluding serious violent felonies)

The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which in Washington would be:

Washington Police Department
123 Robert Toombs Avenue
Washington, GA 30673
Phone: (706) 678-1411
City Departments

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

The application process involves:

Completion of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Record Restriction Application
Payment of applicable processing fees ($25-$50)
Submission of supporting documentation demonstrating eligibility
Review by the arresting agency and prosecuting attorney's office
Final determination by the Georgia Crime Information Center

Successful record restriction prevents the arrest record from appearing in standard background checks conducted by employers or housing providers. However, certain government agencies and law enforcement entities may still access restricted records for official purposes.

Individuals with complex cases or multiple arrests may benefit from legal consultation prior to initiating the record restriction process, as eligibility determinations can involve nuanced legal analysis.

Legal Implications of Public Arrest Records

Public arrest records in Washington, Georgia carry significant legal implications for affected individuals. The Georgia Fair Business Practices Act (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-390 et seq.) provides some protections regarding the use of these records, particularly in employment contexts.

Key legal considerations include:

Employment screening: Under Georgia law, employers may consider arrest records in hiring decisions, though best practices encourage evaluation of conviction records rather than mere arrests. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provides guidance to prevent discriminatory hiring practices based on criminal history.
Housing applications: Landlords and property management companies frequently access arrest records when evaluating rental applications. Georgia law permits this practice, though applicants may provide explanatory information.
Professional licensing: Many professional licensing boards in Georgia review arrest records as part of character and fitness evaluations. Disclosure requirements vary by profession and licensing authority.
Firearm purchases: Federal law prohibits firearm purchases by individuals with certain criminal convictions, and arrest records may trigger additional review during background checks conducted under the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Immigration consequences: Non-citizens should be aware that arrest records, even without convictions, may impact immigration proceedings, visa applications, or naturalization processes.
Civil rights restoration: Individuals with arrest records may face restrictions on voting, jury service, or holding public office, depending on case disposition and completion of sentence.

The Washington Municipal Court provides information regarding these legal implications to individuals upon request, in accordance with Georgia's commitment to transparency in the criminal justice system.