Lowndes County Arrest Records

In Lowndes County, an arrest becomes necessary when law enforcement officers have probable cause to believe the person has committed or is about to commit a crime. Probable cause is hinged on evidence that goes beyond a hunch or suspicion. It also includes when an officer receives witness statements or victim testimony, finds illegal substances in the suspect’s possession, or discovers signs of driving under the influence of alcohol. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, government agencies must provide residents with access to public documents, such as Lowndes County Court Records, upon request.

Are Arrest Records Public in Lowndes County?

Yes. Arrest records are public. Residents of Lowndes County may access public records as per the Georgia Open Records Act. Under the act, public records are available for public access, including any materials created or received by government agencies during their official duties. While the law grants citizens a broad access right, non-citizens can also get copies of public records.

In addition, the law permits the record custodian to request government-issued identification from individuals seeking to inspect or receive copies of public records. If they do not have such identification, the records custodian may accept other forms of identification.

However, while the law grants broad access to public records, particular arrest and court records are subject to more restrictive access. Such records may only be disclosed to requesters with court orders, witnesses or victims, their legal representatives, insurance providers, and juvenile court judges with express permission for such request.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

In Lowndes County, Georgia, a transparent and collaborative culture encourages elected officials to be accountable and supports active engagement in government. Public arrest records contain:

• The name of the individual arrested
• The specific charges filed against the arrestee
• The date, time, and location where the arrest took place
• The name of the law enforcement agency responsible for making the arrest
• The final disposition of the case

Lowndes County Crime Rate

According to a 2018 report by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) of the crime rate in Lowndes County, there were two murders, 15 rape cases, 43 robberies, and 203 cases of aggravated assault. In addition, the report showed 485 burglaries, 16 cases of arson, 197 motor vehicle thefts, and 2,337 cases of larceny theft. The crime rate stood at 2,840 cases per 100,000 people. Compared to 2017, there was a 32% crime reduction.

Lowndes County Arrest Statistics

According to a 2020 report from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, the arrest rate for Lowndes County was 4,213.6 per 100,000 inhabitants. The five highest arrest categories were Larceny (1,573.9 per 100,000), disorderly conduct (626.9 per 100,000), simple assault (563.4 per 100,000), battery (451.3 per 100,000), and driving under the influence (355.6 per 100,000). That year, the approximate population was 115,822 people.

Find Lowndes County Arrest Records

The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office is the county's main custodian of arrest records. Individuals wishing to access arrest records can submit a request directly to the Office.

The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office's arrest records include arrests made by various law enforcement agencies operating in the county, including the County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and the Highway Patrol. Following the Georgia Open Records Act, certain information may be redacted or withheld from disclosure under specific circumstances. Such circumstances might include ongoing investigations or cases involving the protection of minors.

When requesting arrest records, supplying the following information may be helpful:

• Date, time, and location of the incident
• Names of the individuals involved
• Case number
• Type of record being requested.

In addition to submitting a request directly to the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office, Georgia residents can utilize the following state and federal resources to look up arrest records and inmate information:

• The County Jail operates a publicly available online database that contains daily arrest information for incarcerated individuals.
• VINELink is a nationwide service that details offenders or criminal cases in U.S. jails and prisons, including those in Lowndes County.

Free Arrest Record Search in Lowndes County

Individuals desiring to review arrest records in Lowndes County may visit the arresting agency's physical location or website, which provides access to arrest and booking records online. To expedite the request, requesters should indicate the law enforcement agency that conducted the arrest, its approximate date and time, and its location.

The County Clerk keeps the county's official records. Individuals seeking help may contact the Public Records Department. However, access to some sensitive documents may be limited.

Get Lowndes County Criminal Records

In Georgia, criminal records are kept at different levels. At the state level, the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) keep records of individuals incarcerated within the state’s facilities. At the County level, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s office keeps criminal records, including personal information, criminal history, and sentencing details.

Within the county, residents can get access by submitting a request to the sheriff’s office either in writing or through their online portal, to request access to specific offender records. At the state level, the GDC maintains an online inmate search tool. With this tool, the public can get basic information about arrestees. They can get such information as the arrestee's name, identification number, and sentencing. However, some offender records may be restricted or limited, especially if the records contain sensitive or confidential information.

Lowndes County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Lowndes County, the maintenance of arrest records rests on the law enforcement agency that executed the arrest. An arrest record only documents the fact that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement officials. It does not constitute a determination of guilt or a conviction of any criminal offense.

In contrast, criminal records are typically maintained by the court system. These records are more comprehensive and authoritative. A criminal record is a formal document that details an individual's criminal history, including any convictions rendered by a court of law. Such records typically include the offenses for which the individual was convicted, the sentences imposed, and any terms of probation that may have been ordered.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

It stays on record indefinitely. When an arrest record is generated after a person has been booked, it is added to their criminal history. Even if the allegations against them are dropped or acquitted. The record reflects the case's ultimate disposition, but the original arrest information remains unchanged regardless of the result.

Expunge Lowndes County Arrest Records

Sometimes, individuals find themselves on the wrong side of the law. This could be due to circumstances outside their control. In Lowndes County, eligible individuals can petition the court to expunge some criminal records. To do this successfully, they must meet the requisite criteria.

Record sealing is designed to protect individual privacy. An individual's criminal record is removed from public access and scrutiny. This restores their reputation and dignity. Record sealing effectively hides the record from public view. Expungement goes a step further by removing the charge or charges from the individual's criminal record entirely.

However, individuals who pleaded guilty or were found guilty at trial are ineligible for record sealing or expungement. Certain crimes, such as sex offenses, domestic violence, drug trafficking or manufacture, public-officer offenses, and major felonies like arson, home burglary, robbery, carjacking, aggravated assault, kidnapping, manslaughter, and murder, cannot be expunged from an individual's record.

Lowndes County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is issued by a judge authorizing law enforcement to take an individual into custody. This is typically issued upon evidence of probable cause, that is, there is sufficient reason to believe that the individual has committed a crime. Based on the fourth amendment, arrest warrants serve to protect innocent citizens from unlawful arrests, ensuring that arrests are based on judicial approval and law enforcement is not acting in isolation.

To get a warrant, a law enforcement agent presents corroborating evidence to a prosecutor, demonstrating reasonable suspicion of criminal activity and establishing probable cause. The prosecutor evaluates the evidence, exercising discretion. If they are convinced that probable cause exists, they submit an affidavit to the court requesting a warrant. The judge reviews the evidence, and if they agree that the standard for probable cause is met, they issue a warrant. This authorizes law enforcement to take the individual into custody. After being issued, the warrant is usually logged into law enforcement databases.

An arrest warrant contains the following information:

• The name of the court that issued the warrant.
• The name of the defendant.
• Their physical description (height, weight, hair color, eye color, and other unique features).
• The criminal offense charged against the individual.
• The official issuing date of the warrant
• The signature of the judge issuing the warrant.
• The bail amount

Lowndes County Arrest Warrant Search

Residents of Lowndes County, Georgia, have various ways to check if an individual has an outstanding arrest warrant. The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office keeps track of wanted individuals with active warrants. Individuals can contact the Sheriff’s office directly or in person to get more information about a particular individual. They may need to provide identifying information about the individual in question, such as their full name and date of birth. Requesters must produce a government-issued identification.

To search the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office online resource, visit the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office website and navigate to the "Warrants" tab. Then click the "Search Warrants" link to access the warrant information. Also, the Clerk of Courts for Lowndes County has a record of current warrants.

Do Lowndes County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Once issued by a judge, arrest warrants generally do not expire. They remain active until the individual is apprehended, or the court vacates the warrant, charges against them are dismissed, or they are deceased. The warrant information is logged into a national database if law enforcement agents cannot locate the individual. The next time the individual encounters law enforcement, they will likely be detained until the court that issued the warrant is contacted.