Yes, warrants are public records in Walton County, Georgia. According to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.), certain records, including warrants, are accessible to the public to ensure transparency and accountability within the judicial process. This act allows citizens to access various public documents, which include arrest warrants, bench warrants, and search warrants, unless they are sealed by a court order or subject to specific statutory exemptions.
The availability of warrant records plays a crucial role in maintaining public safety and trust. By allowing access to these records, the public can stay informed about legal proceedings and law enforcement activities within their community. It is important to note that while these records are accessible, specific details may be restricted to protect the privacy of individuals involved, ongoing investigations, or matters of public safety as determined by Georgia law.
Pursuant to Georgia law, the Walton County Magistrate Court is responsible for issuing criminal warrants and maintaining these records. Since January 1, 2013, all criminal warrants in Walton County have been issued using the EZ Warrant system, which has streamlined the process for both law enforcement and the public seeking information.
Warrant records in Walton County typically include the following information:
The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains these records as part of their responsibility for filing, processing, storing, and retrieving court records for Walton County. The Civil Division of this office handles the management of these documents in accordance with Georgia state law.
Free searches of warrant records are available in Walton County. Methods to check for warrants without incurring fees include:
Members of the public should be prepared to provide proper identification when requesting warrant information in person. Public terminals are available during regular courthouse hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county holidays.
Sheriff Warrants in Walton County are legal documents issued by the court authorizing law enforcement officers to perform specific actions, such as arrests or searches. These warrants contain critical information, such as the name of the individual, the nature of the offense, and the date of issuance. They serve as official orders for the Sheriff's Department to execute the directives outlined within the warrant.
The Walton County Sheriff's Office is responsible for executing these warrants throughout the county. The Sheriff's Office maintains a database of active warrants that is regularly updated as new warrants are issued and existing warrants are served. Pursuant to Georgia Code § 17-4-20, law enforcement officers may make arrests based on these warrants at any time of day or night.
The Sheriff's Office works in coordination with other law enforcement agencies to execute warrants across jurisdictional boundaries when necessary. For information regarding active warrants, members of the public may contact:
Walton County Sheriff's Office
1425 South Madison Avenue
Monroe, GA 30655
(770) 267-6557
Walton County Sheriff's Office Website
To get information on whether you have a warrant in Walton County, you may access warrant records online, as they are available to the public. Options for searching these records include:
These methods provide avenues to determine if there are any active warrants against an individual, ensuring they can address any legal issues promptly. Pursuant to Georgia law, individuals with active warrants may be subject to arrest at any time. It is advisable for persons who believe they may have an outstanding warrant to resolve the matter promptly through proper legal channels.
The Walton County Magistrate Court, which issues warrants, is located at:
Walton County Magistrate Court
303 South Hammond Drive
Monroe, GA 30655
(770) 267-1346
Walton County Magistrate Court Website
Searches for Outstanding Warrants are available in Walton County. Methods to check for these warrants include:
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, individuals may request criminal history record information about themselves or others from the appropriate agencies. When checking for outstanding warrants in person, visitors should bring government-issued photo identification and be prepared to provide the full name and date of birth of the person being searched.
The Sheriff's Office maintains regular business hours for public inquiries from Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Certain information may also be available through the Clerk of Superior Court's office, which maintains court records for Walton County.