Houston County Arrest Records

In Houston County, law enforcement personnel are legally authorized to make arrests when someone is suspected or caught engaging in a criminal offense. This is according to the provisions of § 17-4-20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.).

After an arrest, the detainee is typically taken to the nearest police station for booking and processing. The information usually taken down includes, but is not limited to, physical description, photograph, fingerprints, personal information, possessions, D.N.A., and any other piece of information that may be needed to process the individual for the alleged crime. Subsequently, the arrestee may either be detained in jail, managed pending their first court appearance, or released with a promise to appear in court.

Typically, arrest records in Houston County are maintained and kept by the County Sheriff's office and other local police departments. These arrest records can be made available to the public via local and state agencies. For instance, arrest details may be featured within Houston County court records and accessible through criminal history databases managed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the district attorney's office records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Houston County?

Yes, according to the Georgia Open Records Act (G.O.P.A.), arrest records are considered public records and are made available for public access by the relevant government agency. However, according to the O.P.A., certain records are restricted from public access.

This restriction is primarily upheld to avoid sensitive information becoming public knowledge. Records exempt from public access include but are not limited to the following:

• Records considered confidential
• Records containing details that may endanger the life or physical safety of a person or people
• Records that contain confidential investigation or surveillance
• Any record whose access may
• Documents that reveal the identity of a confidential source
• Records related to an ongoing investigation
• Records that contain personal information of law enforcement officers, including personal phone numbers, addresses, birth dates, etc.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Arrest records, as stipulated in the Georgia Open Records Act (G.O.P.A.), typically contain the following information:

• The arrested person's physical description and date, including name, gender, date of birth, tattoos, race, weight, scars, and height
• Arresting agency
• Time, date, and location of the arrest
• Charges
• Arresting officer
• Fingerprints and mugshots
• Holding facility
• Vehicle information (This applies if a vehicle was used to commit the crime)
• Type of crime committed, whether a felony or a misdemeanor.

Houston County Crime Rate

According to the 2022 crime statistics published by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the total number of crimes reported in Houston is 198,927. At the top of the list is property crimes, which comprise about 80% (159,365) of the total reported crimes in Houston County. The most common property-related crimes include theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft. Theft alone accounted for 66% (105,562) of all property crimes, followed by motor vehicle theft at 20% (32,025) and burglary at 14% (21,778). Violent crimes made up the remaining 20%(39,562) of the total reported crimes, with the most frequent being aggravated assault, robbery, and rape. The most common violent crime was aggravated assault which makes up 70% (27,693) of the total reported crimes, followed by theft with a total of 9,892, making up for 25% of violent crimes, and rape at 5% (1,977).

Houston County Arrest Statistics

Together with the crime statistics, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation also publishes arrest records for Houston County. According to the report published by the Bureau in 2021, Houston County had a total of 4,272 reported arrests. Out of the number, arrests related to violent crimes include 9 murders, 29 rapes, 86 robberies, and 436 aggravated assaults. Property-related crimes account for about 3,701 of the arrests, with larceny-thefts at 2,889, motor vehicle thefts at 270, and 542 burglaries. It is worth noting that no arson or human trafficking arrests were made in the county within the period under review.

Find Houston County Arrest Records

When an interested person seeks arrest records in Houston, the typical point of inquiry is the law enforcement department where the arrest took place. Per the Open Records Act, law enforcement agencies keep records of all their official actions, including arrest records. Typically, in Houston County, the Sheriff's office maintains arrest records and also manages access to these records.

In Houston County, arrest records are typically maintained by the Records Division of the Houston County Sheriff's Office. These records are made available to interested individuals upon making a $25 payment.

It is worth noting that the interested individual submits a completed records request form and any associated fees. Interested individuals are also to take note that fees would be demanded for certified copies of documents.

The query can be made in person by calling (478) 542-213 at the office or by mailing the request to the address below:

Houston County Sheriff's Office
Records Division
202 Carl Vinson Parkway
Warner Robins, GA 31088
Phone: (478) 542-2085
Fax: (478) 329-9715

or

Houston County Sheriff's Office
Records Division
201 Perry Parkway
Perry, GA 31069
Phone: (478) 218-4790

Another avenue available to interested individuals is the presiding court; this is done by submitting a records request to the court where the case was filed, as courts often maintain arrest records related to a case.

Alternatively, individuals can seek Houston County arrest records by requesting a criminal history record from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. These criminal records typically contain a wealth of information, including details about the arrest, such as arresting agencies, charges, and arrest dates. This information is usually submitted by the state and local criminal justice agencies; however, this kind of information is only made available to the subjects and businesses or private individuals with the subject's signed consent per section 35-3-34 of the Georgia Open Records Act. Inquirers may not have any need to request criminal records from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation as this service can be obtained from the Sheriff's office.

Aside from having public arrest records available, criminal justice agencies in Georgia also maintain non-public arrest records. While public arrest records can easily be made available upon records request, non-public arrest records are not available to the public. Still, they are restricted to certain authorized organizations or entities and can only be released upon a court order. Individuals or entities interested in obtaining non-public arrest records may consider the subpoena process. The subpoena process refers to obtaining a court order mandating an agency to produce a document.

When an individual gets arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.), they are typically remanded in federal custody until their court appearance. To locate such individuals, interested persons can use the Federal Inmate Locator by simply entering the individual's name or identification number.

On the other hand, individuals interested in obtaining such records can obtain any arrest made by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) by simply searching for the Online Detainee Locator System. However, if the information is not available online, interested parties can contact the specific I.C.E. detention facility or any local field office.

Free Arrest Record Search in Houston County

Several law enforcement agencies in Houston County make records available for viewing at no charge on their various online platforms. This is in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act (G.O.P.A.). However, if individuals are interested in copies of a record, they may be charged a fee for producing them.

Get Houston County Criminal Records

Criminal records, often called rap sheets, are official documents that provide a detailed history of a person's criminal activities. They usually contain information regarding charges, arrests, convictions, and sentences. For individuals with a legal history, they show details of all court proceedings and parole violations.

The primary custodian of criminal history information in Houston County is the Houston County Sheriff's Office. The office is in charge of processing the records and background checks of all criminals residing in the county. On the other hand, the Georgian Bureau of Investigation maintains statewide crime-related records and background checks on all state residents upon request.

The Record Division of the Houston County Sheriff's Office maintains all reports and records generated by the County Sheriff's Office. It is responsible for managing all requests for criminal information and background checks. As stated earlier, interested persons can make in-person requests for records at the Sheriff's office or by calling (478) 542-2130.

Employers are at liberty to request criminal history information or background checks only after obtaining a notarized release from the subject of the record they seek. Additionally, individuals interested in obtaining their own records must present a government-issued picture I.D. upon request. However, all requests require a processing fee of $20, and all requested records will be processed on the day they were requested.

For statewide searches, interested parties can conduct felony convictions via the Georgia Felon Search Website, operated and maintained by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Searches can be conducted by name, sex, date of birth, or race of the subject. These searches do not typically require the subject's consent, and payments must be made with a credit card.

Houston County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The terms "Arrest record" and "Criminal record" are often used to refer to the same thing: an individual's criminal background. However, these two terms refer to distinct and unique aspects of Houston County's legal proceedings.

In Houston County, an arrest record simply refers to a more detailed document maintained by the arresting police department. It includes details as they relate to the circumstances of an arrest, including information about the arrested individual, the incident, and the immediate result, whether the person was remanded or released. Arrest records in Houston County do not contain any subsequent legal process or court dispositions.

On the other hand, a criminal record is a more comprehensive detail of a person with the overall criminal justice of Houston County. It covers the progression of a person from arrest to conviction, including sentences, probation, or parole. Criminal records are typically compiled based on details from several sources, such as courts, local law enforcement agencies, and correctional facilities. It also reveals the results of court proceedings, such as whether the charges led to dismissal or conviction.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Georgia, when an arrest does not result in a conviction or is not prosecuted, a synch arrest record will typically be removed or sealed from such an individual's public record after a period. This period is dependent on the severity of the charges:

• Violent felony charges and sex-related charges will take seven years;
• Felony charges will take four years;
• Misdemeanors will take two years.

However, this designated period will not apply if the prosecutor decides to pursue the case. In this case, the record will be reopened and will stay open until the legal proceeding closes.

Expunge Houston County Arrest Records

Record expungement in Houston County refers to the restriction of criminal records maintained by Houston agencies. Record expungement orders in Georgia do not refer to physical destruction or criminal records; instead, they refer to restricting access to these records, except for law enforcement and criminal justice purposes. As such, record expungement is typically called "record restriction" in Georgia. Additionally, records can only be expunged if they meet the requirements below:

• The subject of the record has not been convicted of a similar or the same offense within the last five years
• If the subject of the record has no pending charges.

However, restriction of arrest records can be allowed in Georgia under the following situations:

• If the subject of the record was a youthful offender below the age of 21 at the time of record generation.
• Non-convictions:
  • The individual was arrested but released without the charges being pursued for prosecution.
  • The prosecuting attorney dropped the charges before an indictment or formal accusation was made.
• Even though charges were filed through an indictment or accusation, they were later "nolle prossed," placed on a dead docket or dismissed.

The process for requesting or processing record restriction or expungement depends on how the person was arrested and the case outcome. Typically, some cases are naturally expunged after a designated period with prosecution. Nonetheless, all individuals arrested but were not indicted before the 1st of July, and the case was dismissed, such individuals must apply for restriction. This application for restriction may be made via the arresting agency, and all associated fees must be paid in full.

On the other hand, all arrests after the 1st of July, 2013, will automatically expunged once the appropriate disposition is recorded in the Georgia Information Center's database by the court prosecutor or clerk. This process, unlike the first, does not require any application process or payment.

Houston County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a magistrate or judge authorizing law enforcement officers to arrest a specific person.

Arrest warrants in Houston County follow similar procedures as those in other parts of the state of Georgia; the issuance of these warrants requires probable cause, which is usually presented to the court through a sworn affidavit by law enforcement.

Issuance of Arrest Warrants in Georgia:

• Legal grounds: Arrest warrants are issued in Houston County under the authority of Section 17-4-40 of O.C.G.A. As stated earlier, this issuance requires probable cause to be established through an affidavit.
• Magistrate's Issuance: A magistrate or judge can also issue an arrest warrant when they find it sufficient upon reviewing the evidence. This includes both bench warrants for failing to appear in court and criminal complaints.
• Types of Warrants: Beyond standard arrest warrants, bench warrants are also commonly issued.

A typical Houston Arrest Warrant contains the following:

• Suspect's information(Full name and description of the individual)
• Charges (A description of the alleged crime)
• Date and Signature ( The date of issuance and the signature of the judge or magistrate)
• Execution Instructions (Detailed guidelines for law enforcement on how to carry out the arrest)

Execution of the Warrant:

After it is issued, law enforcement officials in Houston County, Georgia, can arrest the person. If the person requests it, the officers are expected to provide the warrant and notify them of the charges. Immediately following the arrest, the suspect is usually brought before a magistrate.

Houston County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals interested in obtaining warrant information in Houston County can contact the Sheriff's office over the phone or visit the office in person. While no fees are attached to this, interested parties must note that an official government-issued I.D. must be presented when requesting.

Also, interested individuals must possess relevant information about the subject of the warrant they seek, including name (first and last name) and date of birth.

Do Houston County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Houston County are not subject to a specific expiration date. They are typically valid until they are executed (i.e., the individual can be arrested) or recalled by the court that issued them.