Franklin County Arrest Records

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office maintains and provides access to arrest records per the Georgia Open Records Law. Requesters must visit the office during business hours to obtain copies of these records. Police officers compile arrest records after arresting individuals suspected of violating the law. Each arrest record typically includes the arrestee's personal details, facts surrounding the arrest, and any associated warrant information.

A person's arrest information will also appear in Franklin County court records if formal charges are filed following an arrest. As a result, individuals may locate arrest information by submitting a request to the Clerk of Superior Court.

Are Arrest Records Public in Franklin County?

Yes. The Georgia Open Records Law governs public disclosure of arrest records in the state. This mandates that law enforcement agencies in Franklin County release arrest records in their custody to the public for inspection and copying. Only confidential arrest records are not available to the public. A list of such records is provided in O.C.G.A. §50-18-72. For example, members of the public cannot access pending investigation or prosecution records, juvenile arrest records, and any law enforcement records whose disclosure will identify a confidential source or reveal the existence of a confidential surveillance or investigation.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A Franklin County public arrest record contains information whose disclosure will not cause harm to anyone. For example, residents can easily find an arrestee's full name, race, sex, age, charge, arrest date, bond amount, and warrant information in a Franklin County public arrest record.

Franklin County Arrest Statistics

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) provides crime statistics of individuals arrested in the state using the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. The 2023 report reveals approximately 234 crimes committed by arrestees in Franklin County. The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Inmate Statistical Profile shows that about 28 inmates were from Franklin County in 2024. That same year, about 46 inmates in the state prisons were convicted from Franklin County.

Find Franklin County Arrest Records

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) provides arrest records to customers online and in person. Online requesters can use the Offender Search portal to view information on Franklin County arrests for free. Users will need a name or description to perform the search. Those who cannot find a record online can visit any of the GDC facilities during business hours to obtain copies of Franklin County arrest records.

Another place individuals can find Franklin County arrest records is online, by mail, or in person at federal law enforcement agencies. To conduct arrest record searches online, visit the agency's website, locate the online portal, and enter the appropriate search criteria to complete the search. For example, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has an Online Detainee Locator System on its website where users can enter a detainee's A-Number or biographical information to find Franklin County arrest records for free. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) also has an Inmate Locator on its website where users can enter a name or number to locate the appropriate record without charges. Most federal law enforcement agencies have local offices (The ICE's field offices or detention facilities and the BOP's facilities) across Georgia where individuals can obtain copies of arrest records.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is one of the few agencies that do not issue arrest records to the public. Only subjects of the records can submit arrest record requests online, by mail, or through authorized channelers for $18.

Free Arrest Record Search in Franklin County

Residents can find arrest records for free by phone at the Franklin County Jail. Call the jail at (706) 384-2525 and provide a name or arrest date to facilitate the search. Requesters can also find Franklin County arrest records on third-party online databases. Free access to arrest information on those portals only returns limited information that may be insufficient for users. Those who need comprehensive arrest records would need to pay a small fee.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Franklin County, most arrest records stay on record forever. Such records can be closed to the public through expungement. However, some arrest records have a timeframe for law enforcement agencies to delete them. The retention period of these records is available on the Georgia Archives' Arrest Record Retention Schedules page.

Expunge Franklin County Arrest Records

According to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, an expungement is the restriction of a person's arrest records to criminal justice agencies and judicial officials who need them for law enforcement or criminal investigative purposes. Eligible individuals should complete section one of the Request to Restrict Arrest Record Instructions and Request Form and mail it alongside a $25 expungement fee to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at:

Franklin County Sheriff's Office
1 James Little Street
P.O. Box 310
Carnesville, GA 30521

The Sheriff's Office will complete section two of the form and send it to the prosecutor, who will complete section three. If the expungement request is approved, the prosecutor will enter the appropriate disposition restriction code using the GCIC CCH User Interface. Afterwards, they will notify the applicant and the Sheriff's Office of the approval. If the prosecutor cannot access the GCIC CCH User Interface, the applicant will have to send the approved application to GCIC and $25 to:

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

The GCIC takes about 2 to 3 weeks to process an expungement application. The applicant will receive a letter of completion by mail confirming that the arrest has been expunged from the law enforcement database.

Franklin County Arrest Warrants

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 17-4-40) permits any judge in Franklin County to issue an arrest warrant for the arrest of a person who has violated penal laws. The warrant can only be issued based on probable cause, either on the judge's or officer's own knowledge or information provided by a citizen under oath. If a person commits a crime in Franklin County, a warrant for the person's arrest can be issued in any county. Once the warrant is issued, it can be executed in any county in Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 17-4-44). An arrest warrant must contain a description of the offense and the name of the county where the offense was committed (O.C.G.A. § 17-4-41). It will also include the offense time, location, date, and against whom it was committed.

Do Franklin County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants issued in Franklin County do not expire. Therefore, a person can have a warrant out for their arrest for however long it takes to be served. An arrest warrant only becomes invalid when the defendant is arrested or the issuing judge cancels it for specific reasons.