Butts County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Butts County, Georgia, document law-enforcement actions, including the detention of individuals accused of crimes. The Butts County Sheriff's Office and other arresting agencies in the district usually prepare these records. The creation and maintenance of arrest records are governed mainly by the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.), particularly Title 35 (Law Enforcement Officers and Agencies) and Title 17 (Criminal Procedure).

Georgia law allows police officers, sheriffs, and other authorized agents to arrest a person when they possess a warrant or have probable cause. An arrest is required when someone is caught committing a crime or threatens public safety. Detainees are typically housed at the Butts County Detention Center.

Arrest records, along with Butts County court records detailing subsequent legal proceedings, are available in the county's public archives. These documents are frequently consulted in civil and criminal cases, background checks, and other contexts where legal transparency is essential.

Are Arrest Records Public in Butts County?

According to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq), arrest records are, in fact, usually available to the public in Butts County. Unless they are expressly exempt, this law permits citizens to examine government records, including arrest records.

Nonetheless, some arrest-related information are withheld from public disclosure, including:

• Documents about ongoing investigations, disclosure of which may jeopardize the process of justice. Records from ongoing criminal investigations or prosecutions are restricted, except for initial arrest and incident reports, until all related litigation is finalized or otherwise terminated.
• Records related to law enforcement or prosecution are restricted if disclosing them could reveal a confidential source, investigation details, or endanger someone's life or safety.
• Records of juvenile arrests.
• Documents that a judge has sealed.
• Information that can jeopardize public safety or individual privacy.

Access is available to all citizens, who may request arrest records. However, anyone seeking restricted information—such as complete criminal histories—may be required to provide identification and proof of eligibility or a legitimate reason for access.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(4)), the public may inspect arrest and booking information found in Butts County arrest records. A typical public record includes:

• Full name of the arrested individual
• Date and time of the arrest
• Arresting agency
• Charges filed
• Location of the arrest
• Date and time of booking
• Bond or bail information
• Mugshot (unless otherwise exempt)

Release of this information should not infringe on privacy rights or hinder an ongoing investigation. The same statute bars disclosure of sensitive data—such as medical records, Social Security numbers, and juvenile files—thereby balancing transparency with individual protections.

Butts County Arrest Statistics

Georgia Bureau of Investigation data, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting figures, and other sources show that Butts County recorded 1,304 arrests from 2021 through 2023—152.82% above the national average. The county's arrest rate for that period was 1,868.41 per 100,000 residents. Of the total arrests, 288 (22.1%) were for larceny/theft, 59 (4.5%) for aggravated assault, and 58 (4.4%) for burglary. Violent-crime arrests (rape, robbery, and assault combined) totaled 69 (5.3%).

On an average day, among the 205 individuals confined in the county jail, 3.4% were serving state prison sentences, 6.8% were serving county sentences, and 49.3% were awaiting trial.

Find Butts County Arrest Records

The Butts County Sheriff's Office, which primarily manages arrest records, is one of three main law enforcement organizations in Butts County, Georgia. To locate an arrest record, interested persons may contact the arresting agency's Records Division—typically the Sheriff's Office.

Requests for arrest records may be made online, via mail, or in person. Usually, the following details are required:

• The complete name of the arrestee
• Birthdate (if known)
• The arrest date and place
• Contact details of the requester
• ID from the government (for restricted records)

To find recent arrests or inmate searches, inquirers may use the Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Search Tool or the Butts County Jail Roster. If the individual is in federal detention, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator may be a helpful alternative.

Free Arrest Record Search in Butts County

Residents of Butts County have several no-cost options for locating arrest information. The Butts County Sheriff's Office publishes an online jail roster that lists recent arrests and current detainees. The Georgia Department of Corrections provides a free offender-search tool for statewide incarceration data. Third-party public record websites aggregate information from multiple sources, but official government sites remain the most reliable. When accuracy is critical, record seekers are generally advised to verify any details found on third-party platforms with the appropriate official agency, as those sites may be incomplete or outdated.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Unless otherwise barred, Georgia arrest records—including those from Butts County—remain a permanent part of an individual's criminal history. Eligible individuals may seek record restriction (formerly expungement) under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. For arrests on or after July 1, 2013, the prosecutor can approve a restriction without a formal application if the case was dismissed, declined for prosecution, or resulted in an acquittal. For arrests before that date, the person must apply through the arresting agency. Once approved, the record is sealed from public access but remains available to judges and law-enforcement agencies.

Expunge Butts County Arrest Records

In Butts County, Georgia, certain arrest records may be restricted—often called sealed or expunged—under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. A "record restriction" limits public access to arrest data while preserving access for law-enforcement agencies and other authorized entities.

Eligibility for record restriction applies when:

• The charges were never prosecuted or were dismissed (nolle prosequi).
• The individual was found not guilty.
• The individual successfully completed a conditional discharge or pre-trial diversion program.
• The case ended without a conviction, except for specified serious offenses.

For arrests on or after July 1, 2013

If the case meets the statutory criteria, the Butts County district attorney may automatically approve a record restriction. No formal application is required, but the arrestee may verify the update with the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC).

For arrests before July 1, 2013

The process is manual and requires the individual to:

• Obtain and complete the "Request to Restrict Arrest Record" form from the arresting agency (e.g., the Butts County Sheriff's Office).
• Submit the form to that agency for review.
• If it approves, allow the agency to forward the request to the prosecutor.

After the prosecutor's approval, have the request sent to GCIC, which restricts public access.

Juvenile arrests

Under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-701, juvenile arrest records may be sealed if the person is at least 18, has no pending charges, and has not committed a felony for at least 2 years. Restricted records remain available to criminal justice agencies but are excluded from public background checks.

Butts County Arrest Warrant Search

A Butts County arrest warrant is a court order that gives police the right to arrest someone accused of committing a crime. According to O.C.G.A. Section 17-4-40, it is granted by a judge or magistrate after a finding of reasonable cause.

To obtain an arrest warrant, an officer must provide a sworn statement or affidavit detailing facts supporting probable cause. After considering the facts, a judge or magistrate may issue the warrant if satisfied. Warrants are frequently issued when a suspect is not apprehended in the Act or when additional investigation confirms criminal involvement.

A legitimate arrest warrant in Georgia typically contains the following, according to O.C.G.A. § 17-4-41:

• The accused's name (or, if the name is unknown, a thorough description)
• The alleged transgression
• A declaration confirming probable cause
• The issuance date
• The issuing judge's or magistrate's signature
• The county or city where it is issued is named

Arrest warrants remain valid until they are executed or the court recalls them. Under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-20, Butts County officers may also arrest without a warrant in an emergency, particularly if they witness the crime.

Interested persons may check with the Magistrate Court or the Butts County Sheriff's Office to see whether there is an arrest warrant in the county. Due to privacy concerns, warrant information is typically not given over the phone; however, in-person queries with identification are welcome.

Do Butts County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Butts County, Georgia, do not expire. Under O.C.G.A. § 17-4-40, a warrant issued by a judge or magistrate remains in force until it is executed—that is, the subject is taken into custody—or until a court revokes or dismisses it. The warrant's status may change if the underlying case is resolved, if errors in issuance are discovered, or if a successful legal challenge is mounted. However, the mere passage of time never nullifies it. Law enforcement officers can, therefore, make an arrest on an outstanding warrant at any moment, no matter how long it has been pending. Anyone who learns of an active warrant should address it promptly through the judicial system.