Decatur County Arrest Records

Decatur County arrest records are official documents detailing individuals who have been apprehended and taken into custody by law enforcement officers in the county. Several situations may prompt a peace officer to arrest an individual, such as witnessing a crime or having probable cause to believe that an individual is responsible for an offense. Arrested individuals are often held at the Decatur County Jail, pending bail or arraignment.

Arrest records filed by the district attorney for prosecution often appear in the Decatur County Court Records. As the chief arresting agency in Decatur County, the Sheriff's Office maintains a logbook for all arrest entries.

A comprehensive criminal record of any arrest cycle requires a detailed inspection of law enforcement arrest records, court records, and the inmate's record in cases where the individual was found guilty of the offense and sentenced to prison.

Are Arrest Records Public in Decatur County?

Decatur County arrest records are part of a broader network of public records and are public under the Georgia Open Records Act. However, not all arrest records are open to the public. If the person arrested is a minor, those records are sealed. Likewise, if the arrest is part of an ongoing investigation, some or all of the information may be withheld. The arrest records can be requested from the Decatur County Sheriff at:

Decatur County Sheriff's Office
912 Spring Creek Rd,
Bainbridge, GA 39817
Phone: (229) 248-3044

Individuals wishing to make a request may be required to provide a valid ID and submit a formal request. Sometimes, a small fee might be charged to cover copying or processing costs.

Decatur County Arrest Statistics

The FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Data reflects the number of offenses reported by the sheriff's office or county police department in 2018 alone. According to the report, 48 violent crime incidents were registered. This included zero murder and negligent manslaughter offense, five rape cases, two robberies, and 41 aggravated assaults. Meanwhile, 246 property crimes were recorded. These included 66 burglaries, 165 thefts, 15 motor vehicle thefts, and zero arson cases.

How to Find Decatur County Arrest Records

Those who need to look up arrest records may find these resources helpful:

Decatur County Sheriff's Office: As the primary arresting agency in the County, the Decatur County Sheriff's Office manages current jail bookings and inmate information in Decatur. These records are available for viewing on the Sheriff's website. To look up inmate information, interested parties should navigate to the "inmate records" section and click the "JAIL 1" icon. This will open an index of inmates currently managed by the Jail Department of the Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office also accepts in-person requests at:

Decatur County Sheriff's Office
912 Spring Creek Rd,
Bainbridge, GA 39817
Phone: (229) 248-3044

Georgia Department of Corrections Inmate Search: The Georgia Department of Corrections Inmate Search allows users to search for individuals incarcerated in state-run facilities. Interested parties can visit the Georgia Department of Corrections website and search for inmates by their name or ID to get information on their status.

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator: If the offense committed falls within the FBI's jurisdiction or any other federal law enforcement agency, the inmate may be held in one of the federal prisons across the United States. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) offers an inmate locator tool for searching individuals incarcerated in federal prisons. Through the BOP Inmate Locator Tool, individuals can search for a federal inmate by name or BOP number to find information about individuals in federal custody.

Georgia Felon Search: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) provides a Felon Search platform that allows users to look up felony convictions across the state. This tool can be accessed on the GBI Georgia Felon Search Portal. However, users may need to provide details that sufficiently identify the inmate, such as the inmate's name and date of birth.

Decatur County Arrest Records vs. Criminal Records

Understanding the difference between an arrest record and a criminal record is crucial. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they do not mean the same thing. An arrest record only documents the fact that a person was apprehended and taken into custody. It provides nothing conclusive on the arrestee's guilt or the charges meted out to them.

Simply put, it may not include trial outcomes. In contrast, a criminal record typically includes convictions, court proceedings, and sentencing details. It is possible to have an arrest record without having a criminal record, especially if the charges were dropped or the person was found not guilty in court.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Georgia?

In Georgia, an arrest typically remains on an individual's record indefinitely, even if the case was dismissed or the person was never convicted. However, Georgia law allows for expungement, especially if the case was dismissed or the individual was acquitted. Although some government agencies may still access the record, expungement seals it from public view.

Decatur County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a court-issued document that authorizes law enforcement to take a suspect into custody, particularly for a crime that was committed outside the immediate observation of the law enforcement agency. In Decatur County, judges issue arrest warrants when law enforcement presents evidence or sworn testimony showing probable cause to believe a person is responsible for a crime.

The warrant usually contains:
• The suspect's full name
• The alleged offense
• The date it was issued
• The judge's name and signature

An arrest warrant allows law enforcement officers to arrest people anywhere in Georgia.

Do Decatur County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Decatur County do not automatically expire. They remain active until the person is arrested or a judge recalls the warrant.

How to Expunge Decatur County Arrest Records

In Georgia, eligible individuals can apply for a record restriction to clear or seal their arrest record from public view. For an arrest record to be eligible for expungement, one of the following conditions must occur:

• The charges were dropped
• No charges were filed after the arrest
• The resulting trial ended in a dismissal, nolle prosequi, or acquittal
• The arrest was a case of mistaken identity

According to the Georgia State Government, to start the process of expungement in Decatur County, interested persons need to:

1. Contact the law enforcement agency that made the arrest (like the Sheriff's Office).
2. Fill out an expungement application
3. Provide supporting documents, such as your ID or case dismissal paperwork.
4. Pay the required fee of up to $50 to the arresting agency.
5. Await final approval from the prosecutor's office.

Once expunged, the arrest will no longer appear in public databases or background checks once expunged, though law enforcement may still have internal access.