Poulan Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Poulan, Georgia?
Arrest records are public documents in Poulan, Georgia, accessible to all members of the public under Georgia's Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be available for inspection by any citizen. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) maintains the state's criminal history record information, while local records are typically maintained by the Worth County Sheriff's Office and the Poulan Police Department. Public access to these records serves the dual purpose of ensuring governmental transparency and allowing citizens to make informed decisions regarding public safety in their communities.
Pursuant to Georgia law, certain exceptions to public disclosure exist, particularly for ongoing investigations or records sealed by court order. However, standard arrest records that document the detention of individuals suspected of criminal activity remain accessible through proper channels. The Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC), operating under the authority of O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, serves as the central repository for criminal records throughout the state, including those from Poulan.
How to Look Up Poulan Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Poulan, Georgia. Individuals may utilize any of the following officially recognized channels to obtain this information:
Submit a request in person at the Worth County Sheriff's Office located at 201 N Main Street, Sylvester, GA 31791. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors must present valid identification and may be required to complete a formal request form.
Contact the Poulan Police Department at 105 E Railroad Street, Poulan, GA 31781. The department maintains records of arrests occurring within city limits and can process requests during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Submit a written request via certified mail to either agency, including the full name of the subject, date of birth (if known), approximate date of arrest, and a copy of the requestor's identification. Agencies typically respond within 3-5 business days.
Access the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) online portal for statewide criminal history information. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, a fee of $25.00 applies for each record search conducted through this system.
Utilize the Worth County Clerk of Superior Court's public access terminal at 201 N Main Street, Sylvester, GA 31791 to review court records related to arrests that have proceeded to formal charges.
Requestors should note that processing fees may apply in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. Current fee schedules are posted at each agency location and on their respective websites.
Contents of a Poulan Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Poulan, Georgia typically contain comprehensive information regarding the detention of individuals suspected of criminal activity. Standard arrest records include the following elements:
- Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and last known address
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citations and descriptions of all alleged offenses
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Agency case number and incident report reference
- Booking information, including processing location and unique booking identification number
- Custody status, including bond amount if applicable
- Fingerprint classification data collected pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-4
- Photographic image (mugshot) of the arrested individual
- Notation of any physical evidence collected during the arrest
- Record of personal property taken into custody during booking
- Documentation of any medical screening conducted during intake
- Preliminary hearing date, if scheduled at the time of booking
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation maintains standardized arrest record formats through the Georgia Crime Information Center to ensure consistency across jurisdictions. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, all law enforcement agencies in Georgia, including those serving Poulan, must report arrest information to the GCIC within 24 hours of booking.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Poulan
The State of Georgia provides a legal mechanism for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through a process formerly known as expungement, now officially termed "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Individuals seeking to restrict public access to arrest records in Poulan must meet specific statutory criteria and follow prescribed procedures.
Record restriction may be available in the following circumstances:
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges (nolle prosequi)
- Cases resulting in dismissal of all charges
- Acquittals by judge or jury
- Completion of pre-trial diversion or first offender programs
- Certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period, particularly for youthful offenders
The application process requires submission of a Record Restriction Application to the arresting agency, which in Poulan would be either the Poulan Police Department or the Worth County Sheriff's Office. The application must include:
- Certified copies of final dispositions from the Worth County Clerk of Superior Court
- Verification of identity through government-issued photo identification
- Payment of the statutory application fee of $25, as established by O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(d)(1)
Upon receipt of a completed application, the law enforcement agency conducts a review to determine eligibility under state law. If approved, the agency forwards the restriction request to the Georgia Crime Information Center, which then restricts public access to the record. The process typically requires 90-120 days for completion.
It is important to note that record restriction does not physically destroy arrest records but rather limits their disclosure to the general public. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i), certain government agencies, including law enforcement and the judiciary, retain access to restricted records for official purposes.
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