Murray County Arrest Records

Murray County arrest records are created by arresting police agencies after the booking process following a formal arrest. During booking, the agency collects the suspect's personal information, mugshot, offense details, and other pertinent information, which are then used to generate an official arrest record.

Murray County arrest records play essential roles in the criminal justice system and society at large. For example, they can facilitate criminal court proceedings and can be reviewed during background checks for employment, tenancy, licensing, or education. Insurance companies can also refer to arrest records when assessing premiums, and the records are valuable resources for policy development and uncovering crime statistics.

Admittedly, not all Murray County arrests lead to a criminal case filing. A case only proceeds to court when the prosecutor decides to file charges. In such situations, the subject's arrest information becomes part of the Murray County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Murray County?

Yes. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A § 50-18-71) provides members of the public unencumbered access to documents held by public agencies, such as the Murray County arrest records. Per the Act, record custodians must honor a citizen's request to inspect or copy arrest records within a reasonable time (typically not later than 3 days after receiving the request). Agencies that cannot meet this timeframe are expected to provide a timeline for production, which must be as soon as is practicable.

Individuals must note, however, that public access to arrest records does not include documents or information subject to an exception under the Open Records Act, a court order, or any extant law. For example, per O.C.G.A § 50-18-72, certain records are exempted from public disclosure, including:

• Law enforcement records that may disclose the identity of a confidential source
• Documents that form part of a pending investigation
• Medical records
• Records that reveal a person's Social Security number, credit/debit card information, bank account information, mother's maiden name, etc.
• Records containing information subject to attorney-client privilege
• Certain juvenile records

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public Murray County arrest records typically contain the following details:

• Arrestee's personal information: Name, date of birth, height, weight, sex, eye and hair color
• Arrest details: Time, date, and location
• Charges
• Bond information
• Court information

Murray County Arrest Statistics

According to statistics pulled from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Crime Data Explorer, Murray County had 1,527 arrests.

The local sheriff's office recorded 792 arrests, with Drug/Narcotic Offenses (77), Driving Under the Influence (76), and Simple Assault (69) as the topmost arrests. Similarly, the Chatsworth Police Department recorded 657 arrests, with Drug/Narcotic Offenses (116), Driving Under the Influence (51), and Simple Assault (28) as the most common. Meanwhile, the Eton Police Department reported 78 arrests, with Driving Under the Influence (11), Drug/Narcotic Offenses (6), and Disorderly Conduct (3).

Find Murray County Arrest Records

Several resources exist to look up information about individuals arrested in Murray County. Generally, individuals are advised to begin their search at the local arresting law enforcement agencies, such as the Murray County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. The County Sheriff's Office also oversees the Murray County Jail, which interested parties can contact at (706) 695-4593 for individuals taken into custody. The jail can advise inquirers on a person's custody status and provide information about charges and bail amounts.

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) also maintains records of individuals arrested and Murray County, which can be accessed through the agency's Find an Offender tool. The tool accepts offender queries by name, description, ID, or case number. After providing the required details in their respective boxes, a searcher must click the "Submit Form" icon below the completed boxes to access the results page. For more specific results, interested parties are advised to click "More Options" and choose "Murray County" from the "Conviction County" drop-down menu. Alternatively, individuals can send an Open Records Request for inmate information to the GDC through its third-party vendor.

Lastly, individuals can access the BOP's (U.S. Bureau of Prisons) Find an Inmate system to locate people who were arrested by federal departments. One can also send a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the specific federal agency responsible for the arrest.

Free Arrest Record Search in Murray County

Individuals may access arrest records for free through law enforcement agencies if they only wish to examine information. However, those who require certified copies will need to cover reproduction costs.

Additionally, third-party websites may provide limited arrest information at no cost with a caveat—the information provided cannot be used for official purposes.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. Arrest information remains on a person's public criminal history unless legal steps are taken to have the records expunged.

Expunge Murray County Arrest Records

A subject's arrest information can be sealed or hidden from the public through a "record restriction" process (formerly called an "expungement"). Individuals arrested after July 1, 2013, are directed to approach the prosecuting attorney's office (on the county level, this is the Murray County District Attorney) to restrict their arrest information. However, if the arrest occurred prior to the above date, parties should petition the arresting agency. More information on filing a request to expunge arrest records can be found on the official Georgia government website.

Individuals should note that not all arrests are eligible for restriction in Murray County. Generally, parties can expunge their arrest records if it did not result in a conviction, perhaps because the charges were not filed, the case was dismissed or dropped, or the court entered a finding of not guilty.

However, if the arrest led to a misdemeanor or felony conviction, the applicant must meet specific conditions, such as being a first-time offender or receiving a pardon. Offenses not eligible for expungement include:

• Murder
• Sexual battery
• Armed robbery
• Rape

Murray County Arrest Warrants

Murray County arrest warrants authorize a law enforcement officer to locate and arrest a person suspected of committing a crime or disregarding a court order. Arrest warrants are released by magistrates or judges after law enforcement officials provide complaints stating probable cause that someone was involved in a crime. Private citizens can also apply to have an accused person arrested in special circumstances (O.C.G.A § 17-4-40). In some cases, arrest warrants are issued at the discretion of a judicial officer, usually when it involves a person being in contempt of the court.

A Murray County arrest warrant contains the following information:

• The subject's name or other identifier
• The alleged offense
• The issuing judicial officer's signature

Members of the public can obtain information about an existing warrant by querying the Murray County Sheriff's Office. They can also contact any other local police station or send a public court records request to the issuing court.

Do Murray County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Murray County arrest warrants do not have an expiration date. They are either executed by a subject's apprehension or recalled by the issuing court. However, a warrant can be invalidated by a subject's demise.