Tattnall County Arrest Records

In Tattnall County, Georgia, law enforcement officers are authorized to make an arrest when an individual commits a crime or disobeys court orders or summons. An arrest also becomes necessary when an officer has a warrant for the arrest of an individual. Arrest records detail the arrest and detention of individuals by law enforcement agencies. They are introductory documents for criminal case trials within the Tattnall County Court and constitute an integral part of Tattnall County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Tattnall County?

Yes. Under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A § 50-18-71), law enforcement agencies must honor requests for arrest data. However, there are exemptions regarding sensitive information such as personal identifying details. Records containing information like driver's license and social security numbers, financial records, investigative reports about ongoing cases, and certain juvenile records are confidential. Under the law, sensitive information must be redacted so that the record may be released to the public.

Tattnall County Arrest Statistics

According to a 2023 report, the crime rate in Tattnall County was 29.58 per 1,000 residents. The average daily population of the county jail was 280. The property crime rate stood at 43.26 per 1,000 residents, with burglary being the most prevalent property crime, with 61 reported cases.

Find Tattnall County Arrest Records

Interested individuals may look up Tattnall County arrest records via the search portal provided by the Tattnall County sheriff's office. The resource provides information on inmates detained in the county jail. They can search using parameters such as the inmate's name, booking number, and date.

Also, the Georgia Department of Corrections has a search portal for inmates and parolees. To see records there, requesters must type in the inmate's name, gender, and the correctional facility where they are held. The Federal Bureau of Prisons also provides access to inmate records through its Inmate Locator. Individuals must input the inmate's name or prison number to see their records. For those who prefer an in-person visit, they may submit their request at:

Tattnall County Sheriff's Office
P.O. Box 545
Reidsville, Georgia 30453
Phone: (912) 557-6778
Fax: (912) 557-6728

Tattnall County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Although both documents provide criminal data, arrest and criminal records differ in content, creation process, and uses in Tattnall County.

Content

• Arrest records encompass information both predating and postdating the act of arrest. This data includes the arrestee's names and any known aliases, physical descriptors, the specific charges levied, the arrest date and location, and the arresting agency's identity.
• Criminal records contain information not only present in arrest records but also details regarding court dispositions and any resulting convictions.

Creation

• The Tattnall County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies create arrest records and are their primary custodians.
• Individuals can find criminal history records through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). This agency creates records by gathering data from sources like the courts and law enforcement agencies.

Uses

• Tattnall County arrest records are initial documents for the early parts of criminal case prosecutions in the county's courts.
• Tattnall County criminal records have several uses, such as identifying or connecting suspects to a crime, building a case during prosecution, deciding charges against a suspect, recommending fitting sentences for those convicted, for background checks for jobs or licenses, rehabilitation and tracking of criminal offenders, and identifying and reducing possible public risks.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Tattnall County, Georgia, arrest records may remain indefinitely on a person's record unless the subject of the record petitions the court for its sealing or removal. O.C.G.A. §35-3-37 provides for record restriction for specific records. Restriction essentially limits public access to the records in question.

Eligibility conditions include:

• The defendant was found not guilty, or their case was dismissed in court
• The prosecutor didn't file charges
• Some misdemeanor offenses committed by persons under the age of 21

Tattnall County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are legal instruments that protect innocent citizens from unlawful detention. The process for obtaining a warrant begins with a law enforcement agent presenting evidence of criminal activity to a prosecuting attorney to establish probable cause. The prosecuting attorney then evaluates the submitted evidence.

Only upon determining probable cause will the prosecuting attorney apply to the court for an arrest warrant. The court reviews the presented evidence and any accompanying affidavit. If the court finds that the minimum probable cause standard has been satisfied, it will issue a warrant authorizing law enforcement to arrest the individual.

While a warrant is generally required for arrests, there are exceptions. When an officer is in pursuit of a suspect, or when it is not practical to obtain a warrant. Should this be the case, the officer must justify their actions by demonstrating probable cause.

Typically, arrest warrants in Tattnall County contain the following information:

• The name of the suspect and a physical description or alias.
• The offense they committed
• Date and location
• Signature of the issuing judge
• The terms of release or bail

Do Tattnall County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Tattnall County arrest warrants generally do not automatically expire even when the statute of limitations for the crime has elapsed. They remain active unless the court recalls them or the individual fulfills the conditions given by the court. Interested parties may find active warrants at the arresting agency or check if they have an active warrant. Once issued, warrants are logged into the law enforcement database. Whenever the individual is stopped by law enforcement officers, they will likely be arrested.

Expunge Tattnall County Arrest Records

Sometimes individuals may find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Even one mistake can have far-reaching consequences, leading to difficulty in securing employment, accommodation, and licenses. In Tattnall County, under O.C.G.A. §35-3-37, eligible individuals may petition the court for a record restriction. Such individuals may fill out a request to restrict arrest record form and send the request to the arresting agency or prosecutor's office.

However, not all offenses can be restricted. This relief is available to individuals who were released without prosecution, had their case dismissed in court, or have fulfilled the mandatory five-year waiting time with no additional charges. However, crimes like sex offenses, domestic violence, and drug trafficking cannot be restricted. Anyone who pleaded guilty or was found guilty at trial is also ineligible for record sealing or expungement.