Pierce County Arrest Records

Pierce County arrest records are official documents that contain information recorded when law enforcement officers conduct arrests within the jurisdiction. Officers are authorized to arrest persons suspected of committing a crime. Arrests also occur based on an arrest warrant, a violation of probation/parole, or a bench warrant for failure to appear.

Following an arrest, the offender is transported to the Pierce County jail. Here, the individual's identity is verified, their mugshot and fingerprints are taken, and the information is logged into the jail database. After booking, the offender is held in custody pending a bond or bail determination, first appearance hearing, or further investigation.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) and other collaborating law enforcement agencies, such as municipal police departments and the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), generate and disclose arrest records upon request from the public. Information about arrests may also be found in Pierce County court records, inmate files, and criminal background records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Pierce County?

Under Georgia's Open Records Act, arrest records in Pierce County are categorized as public records. Therefore, members of the public can make a request and obtain copies of the records from their custodians. The act also permits custodians to charge a reasonable fee for copies provided on request.

However, under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, some Pierce County arrest records are exempted from public disclosure. These include:

• Birth records
• Confidential source, surveillance, or investigation records in the custody of law enforcement agencies
• Records protected by attorney-client privilege
• Records restricted under state and federal laws
• Records of ongoing law enforcement investigations
• Credit reports
• Social security number
• Bank account details
• Juvenile records

Pierce County Arrest Statistics

The Pierce County Sheriff's Office provides annual crime statistics to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program. According to the 2024 data, there were 280 arrests that year. All arrests are classified as either violent crimes or property crimes. Pierce County had 195 property crimes and 85 violent crimes in 2024.

Find Pierce County Arrest Records

Interested parties may obtain Pierce County arrest records by submitting a request in person at the Pierce County Sheriff's Office. In addition, record seekers may find some arrest information in inmate records. These records contain information on arrestees housed in county or state correctional facilities.

To get information about inmates housed in Pierce County, record seekers may use online repositories maintained by government agencies, such as the jail and detention information provided by the county sheriff's department. Also, interested parties may also find Pierce County inmate records by visiting the Pierce County jail. In addition, the state maintains a repository, the Georgia Felon Search Portal.

Pierce County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Pierce County arrest and criminal records are different in content, legal implications, and custodians. Arrest records document a person's arrests in the County. They contain information specific to the arrest. This includes information generated or received following an arrest, such as the arrestee's personal information, statute violated, charges filed, arrest date, time, and location.

On the other hand, criminal records compile information about an individual's criminal past. This includes court, arrest, and incarceration information.

Arrest records do not prove guilt. They simply state that a person was once detained in suspicion of a crime, while criminal records detail information about court convictions, including the final verdict. Consequently, they affect the subject's quality of life and societal status. For instance, they may limit the record subject's chances of getting employment, education, or accommodation.

With respect to the creation and custodians, arrest records are usually generated by the arresting agency- either the Pierce County sheriff’s department or municipal police departments within city limits. Arrest records are kept in their custody. Conversely, criminal records are compiled based on input from the various law enforcement agencies and courts involved.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Pierce County arrest records generally remain as a permanent part of an individual’s record. They remain visible in public-owned domains. As outlined in O.C.G.A §35-3-37, the only legal record relief available is “sealing” (for juvenile records) or “restriction” (for adult records). However, not all arrest records may be restricted under the law.

Pierce County Arrest Warrants

Pierce County arrest warrants are written court orders that authorize the arrest of the individual named on the document. A judge or magistrates issues an arrest warrant upon receiving an affidavit from an arresting officer that an individual violated the law.

Arrest warrants in Pierce County must contain the following information:

• The defendant's full name, including any known aliases
• The defendant's physical descriptions
• The offense they are being charged with and the statue violated
• An instruction or recommendation about how to execute the warrant
• The signature of the issuing judge

Do Pierce County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Arrest warrants in Pierce County have no expiry date once duly issued and signed by a judge. They only become inactive when the subjects are apprehended, voluntarily surrender, or die.

Expunge Pierce County Arrest Records

As set forth in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, eligible individuals may have their records restricted. The record holder must request relief to restrict their record. If the court approves the request, the record is hidden. It becomes unavailable to the public but is available only to criminal justice agencies.

Eligibility for record restriction requires meeting some criteria, such as:

• The criminal charges against the individual were dropped, nolle prossed, or they were found not guilty
• The individual completed a pre-trial diversion or conditional discharge program
• The individual received a state pardon
• The individual was a youthful offender

Restricting an arrest record depends on the date of the arrest and the arresting agency. If the arrest occurred before July 2013, the petitioner must complete the Request to Restrict and Arrest Record form. They must also take the court disposition and a processing fee of $25 to the prosecutor's office. If the prosecutor approves, they circulate the form to all parties involved through the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC).

If the arrest occurred after July 2013, there is no application procedure. The individual may contact the District Attorney's office or the prosecuting attorney's office in the jurisdiction of arrest for a record restriction.