Athens-Clarke County Arrest Records

Once a person is taken into custody, information related to their alleged offense, the circumstances surrounding their arrest, and their bio-data are collated into what is known as an arrest record. These records are part of Athens-Clarke County's criminal justice system and are featured within criminal history information and Athens-Clarke County court records, which are usually referenced during judicial proceedings.

Athens-Clarke County arrest records are generated when law enforcement officials, such as the Athens-Clarke County Sheriff's Office or local police, detain individuals in connection with criminal investigations. Arrests may occur with or without a warrant. A judge or magistrate typically issues a warrant, but in cases where an officer has probable cause, an individual may be arrested without a warrant per O.C.G.A. § 17-4-20.

Members of the public often seek arrest records to monitor court proceedings, post bail, or use them in legal preparations.

Are Arrest Records Public in Athens-Clarke County?

Yes, under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70), arrest records in Athens-Clarke County are generally accessible to the public. Local law enforcement agencies and record custodians are required to make non-exempt arrest records available upon request. However, access to certain details may be limited by law. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 outlines several exemptions that protect specific types of information, including:

• Records pertaining to active criminal investigations
• Juvenile arrest records
• The identifying information of victims, informants, and witnesses
• Sealed or expunged records under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37
• Sensitive personal information such as financial information, social security information, and mental health records

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The following types of information can be made available to the public in Athens-Clarke County:

• The arrestee's full name and identifying details
• Date, time, and place of the arrest
• Charges filed against the individual
• Arresting agency
• Bond and bail amounts
• Court dates and case numbers

These records can be obtained from law enforcement offices or the county courthouse. Parties interested in seeking restricted or expunged information must comply with applicable state statutes.

Athens-Clarke County Crime Rate

According to the 2022 Crime Statistics Summary Report released by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), law enforcement in the Athens-Clarke Metropolitan Statistical Area reported a total of 5,746 index crimes in that year, comprising 2.8% of the county's entire criminal offenses in Georgia. The breakdown of offenses was as follows:

• Burglary: 553
• Aggravated assault: 646
• Robbery: 77
• Rape: 201
• Sexually-related offenses: 2
• Murder: 7
• Arson: 33
• Motor vehicle theft: 439
• Larceny-theft: 3,788

Athens-Clarke County Arrest Statistics

The GBI does not provide specific arrest statistics online for Athens-Clarke County. However, residents can request arrest data from the Athens-Clarke County Sheriff's Office. Requests for this information may be submitted via email, mail, or in person. In their application request, inquirers should include:

• Their name.
• Contact information.
• The time period for the requested data.
• The specific offenses or location.

Find Athens-Clarke County Arrest Records

Athens-Clarke County arrest records are available through law enforcement offices at the county and state levels. To access these records, inquirers may query:

• Athens-Clarke County Sheriff's Office
• Georgia Department of Corrections
• Federal Agencies

Residents can use the Athens-Clarke County 7-day arrest Listing to search for individuals recently in Athens-Clarke County. This portal allows users to search and view a list of recent bookings in the last 7 days, and records on this listing are updated every 15 minutes. The Sheriff's Office also has a dedicated Clarke County Jail Inmate List containing information on the county's jail inmates. Inquirers may search either list by the inmate's name or I.D. number. Viewers can expect to find details of the arrest, their charges, bail/bond information, and the detainee's biodata.

Residents can contact the Athens-Clarke County Sheriff's Office directly for more detailed arrest information that may not be available online. This can be done through email, in person, or by mail. The request should include the requester's name, contact information, and return address.

Details of the requested information, such as case numbers, names, or dates, as well as references to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70) under which the request is being made. Requests may be addressed to:

Clarke County Sheriff's Office
325 E. Washington St.
Suite 125
Athens, GA 30601
Phone: (706) 613-3250
Fax: (706) 613-3255

Similarly, the Georgia Department of Corrections manages individuals convicted of crimes and serving sentences in state facilities. To find information on inmates in state custody, residents can use the Georgia Offender Search Tool, which provides details such as the offense, conviction county, commitment date, correctional facility, and release information. The system also tracks the incarceration history of inmates with multiple convictions. It can be used by entering the subject's first and last name, gender, race, age, and most recent institution. However, the inquirers are responsible for verifying any information they obtain by sending written requests to the Department at

Inmate Records and Information
P.O. Box 1529
Forsyth, GA 31029

The Department also operates a dedicated portal for viewing the Parole/Pardon Status of inmates within their judicial district.

Free Arrest Record Search in Athens-Clarke County

The Athens-Clarke County Sheriff Inmate Inquiry Portal and the Georgia DOC Offender Search are both free to use. Inquirers are usually expected to pay for access to arrest information if they require physical copies of the records being sought. Some third-party public records websites offer free arrest data but often provide extensive details to paying users.

Get Athens-Clarke County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Athens-Clarke County include arrest information and court records pertaining to an individual's criminal history or activity within county limits. Individuals can request criminal case records from the Clerk of Superior and State Courts in Athens-Clarke County, which maintains both online and offline access to criminal case information.

The online system allows individuals to search criminal cases by case number, name, or citation number. The database provides case details, including charges, court dates, and case status. For physical copies or additional information, residents can contact the clerk's Office at:

Clerk of Superior & State Courts
325 E. Washington St.
Suite 450
Athens, GA 30601
Phone: (706) 613-3190
Fax: (706) 613-3189

Individuals can contact the Magistrate Clerk of Court in Athens-Clarke County for minor traffic misdemeanors to access these records.

Criminal history checks in Athens-Clarke County are also processed through the Athens-Clarke County Sheriff's Office. To request a background check, applicants must provide a valid I.D., a completed consent form, and a $20 fee.

Athens-Clarke County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records reflect information about individuals' apprehensions, but they do not imply guilt or conviction. On the other hand, criminal records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, including court trials, sentencing, and post-conviction activities such as parole.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Athens-Clarke County, arrest records typically remain unless specific action is taken to restrict or seal them. However, certain records may be retained for a set period before they are eligible for expungement in compliance with Georgia's public records retention laws. Additionally, selected criminal history information may never become eligible to be restricted because of its severity or the convict's likelihood to re-offend.

Under Georgia law, specific criminal history records can be restricted if no final disposition is provided to the Georgia Crime Information Center (G.C.I.C.) after a specified period of time. According to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(h)(1)(A)(ii), access to records related to misdemeanors will be restricted if no action has been taken within two years, four years for felonies, and seven years for serious violent felonies or felony sexual offenses involving victims under 16 years old. These "time-expired restrictions" ensure that records without resolutions are unavailable for employment and licensing background checks within Georgia. However, under the Compact Council Provisions, Georgia shares these records with other states and the F.B.I. for noncriminal justice purposes unless the individual formally restricts them. Individuals with eligible arrest records may seek restrictions to prevent their inclusion in federal or interstate background checks.

Expunge Athens-Clarke County Arrest Records

The Georgia Bureau of Investigations specifies varying processes for criminal history restriction depending on the date the arrest occurred. There is no general application process for arrests after July 1, 2013. Petitioners will need to contact the prosecutor regarding the eligible record restriction. However, if the arrest occurred prior to July 1, 2013, the petitioner will need to apply for the restriction with the agency that performed the arrest.

To apply for record restriction, petitioners may download and complete the Request to Restrict Record Form. After submitting the completed form to the arresting agency, the agency will proceed to forward the form to the prosecutor's Office, where the petitioner's eligibility will be determined. If approved, the prosecutor's Office will restrict the record on the Georgia Crime Information Center (G.C.I.C.) system or return the application to the arresting agency if they cannot access the CHH user interface. In this case, the applicant will be advised to forward the application, and a $25 processing fee will be charged to the G.C.I.C. However, this will not be necessary if the petition is denied or the prosecutor enters the appropriate restriction code in the first place.

Approved requests and the $25 processing fee should be mailed to:

Georgia Crime Information Center Record Restrictions
P.O. Box 370808
Decatur, Georgia 30037-0808

Athens-Clarke County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, is a legal order directing law enforcement to apprehend and detain an individual suspected of criminal activity or for failing to comply with judicial orders. These warrants are issued based on sworn affidavits from law enforcement officers or other authorized individuals, typically when probable cause is established that the person committed a crime, violated probation, or failed to appear in court.

Arrest warrants in Athens-Clarke County are usually processed through the Athens-Clarke County Magistrate Court. The court reviews warrant applications and determines whether to issue an arrest warrant based on the evidence provided.

Under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-40 governs the issuance of arrest warrants. A judge or magistrate may issue a warrant when an affidavit or sworn testimony establishes probable cause that a crime has been committed. The affidavit must contain the following details:

• Name and description of the alleged offender
• Description of the alleged offense
• Date and time of the alleged offense
• Location (county) where the offense occurred
• Details about any victim(s) involved
• Value and description of any stolen property, if applicable

The warrant typically contains the following:

• The accused's name or description.
• The nature of the crime.
• The date of issuance.
• The judge's signature.

Athens-Clarke County Arrest Warrant Search

The Athens-Clarke County Sheriff's Office is responsible for executing arrest warrants. Individuals can inquire about active arrest warrants by contacting the Office or visiting in person. For an arrest warrant search, inquirers may contact the Sheriff's Office to inquire if there are any outstanding warrants for a specific individual.

Do Athens-Clarke County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants in Athens-Clarke County and throughout Georgia do not expire. They remain active until the individual is arrested or the warrant is recalled or dismissed by a judge. Under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-2, a warrant is valid until it is executed or withdrawn by the court. In some cases, an arrest warrant may be recalled, either because the accused has taken corrective action (such as paying fines or appearing in court) or because the court has deemed it unnecessary.