Police Department

Obtaining Public Records

Thank you for your interest in the City of Clarkesville. The Georgia Open Records Act establishes the right to inspect and/or receive public records, excluding those records that are specifically exempted by court order or the law. To inspect and/or receive records, please complete the online form. Please be as specific as possible.

After Receiving Your Request

After receiving your request, the City of Clarkesville will notify you within three business days if there are records responsive to your request and if the records requested are subject to release (O.C.G.A.§ 50-18-71). The response will be provided in written format and will be sent via email when possible.

Charges

Responses shall include the cost to search, retrieve, copy, redact and/or supervise inspection of the requested document(s). The cost represents the hourly rate of the lowest-paid full-time employee who, in the opinion of the City, has the necessary skill and training to respond to your request. There is no charge for the first 15 minutes.

The fee for black and white, letter, or legal-size copies is 10 cents per page. Other types of documents are charged based on the City's expense to reproduce the record. Where fees for certain records are otherwise prescribed by law, such a specific fee shall apply. Payment is required upon receipt of the records. If records are requested to be certified, there is an additional fee of $1 for certification of the first record and 50 cents for each record thereafter.

Not Readily Accessible Records

• Some records are not readily accessible. In these instances, a timeline will be provided as to when the records will be available.
• Some records may be available directly from the department that maintains the records. In these cases, you may be requested to contact the applicable department for processing.
• Upon submission of your request, a confirmation receipt will be sent to the email address provided in the request. Please resubmit your request or contact us if you do not receive a confirmation.

Records Specialist

All Open Records Requests must be submitted to the Records Specialist, who is the designated "Open Records Officer" for the City of Clarkesville. Any requests for records that are served upon any other officer or employee shall not be deemed filed until the requester has filed his or her request with the Records Specialist.

Many fines are payable without making a court appearance. Once a fine has been paid, you are no longer required to appear in court to close your citation. If your case does not require a mandatory court appearance your options to pay are as follows:

• Pay Online www.clarkesvillegapay.com
• Pay via phone by calling 877-575-7233
• Pay in person at the Clarkesville Police Department, located at 405 Madison St.
• Mail in money order or certified check to 405 Madison St. Clarkesville GA 30523. You can make your check payable to the City of Clarkesville. Please include your citation or write the citation number on the check. WE DO NOT ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS.

Payments by mail must be received prior to your court date.

Payments are received up until 7 a.m. on your scheduled court date.

*A service fee will be added to all card payments by Government Window LLC to cover the cost of the secure and convenient payment service.

Obtaining Public Records

Thank you for your interest in the City of Clarkesville. The Georgia Open Records Act establishes the right to inspect and/or receive public records, excluding those records that are specifically exempted by court order or the law. To inspect and/or receive records, please complete the online form. Please be as specific as possible.  (Can you add a fillable form on the online form link? If so see exhibit #1 – if not, can we add a pdf form for people to print? Exhibit #2 If we go with pdf then we need to add wording about emailing it to me at skey@clarkesvillega.com or delivering it in person to the PD).

After Receiving Your Request

After receiving your request, the City of Clarkesville will notify you within three business days if there are records responsive to your request and if the records requested are subject to release (O.C.G.A.§ 50-18-71). The response will be provided in written format and will be sent via email when possible.

Charges

Responses shall include the cost to search, retrieve, copy, redact and/or supervise inspection of the requested document(s). The cost represents the hourly rate of the lowest-paid full-time employee who, in the opinion of the City, has the necessary skill and training to respond to your request. There is no charge for the first 15 minutes.

The fee for black and white, letter, or legal-size copies is 10 cents per page. Other types of documents are charged based on the City's expense to reproduce the record. Where fees for certain records are otherwise prescribed by law, such a specific fee shall apply. Payment is required upon receipt of the records. If records are requested to be certified, there is an additional fee of $1 for certification of the first record and 50 cents for each record thereafter.

In certain instances, conviction of a moving violation results in points being assessed to your driver license / history. The Department of Driver Services determines which offenses result in the assessment of point and the number or points to be assessed for those offenses.  To determine possible points that could result from a conviction, see Department of Driver Service Points at https://dds.georgia.gov/points-and-points-reduction.

To obtain your driver history, please contact the Department of Driver Services at 678-413-8400 or visit their website at https://dds.georgia.gov/your-georgia-drivers-license/online-services

To determine if your license has been placed in suspension, please download the DDS2GO app, please visit the DDS2GO app link at https://dds.georgia.gov/dds-2-go-mobile-app

Individuals arrested for a traffic or City of Clarkesville ordinance violation may be eligible for release by posting a bond.

• To do a surety bond (bail-bondman) or a property bond should contact Habersham County Detention Center at:
  • Phone: 706-754-6660
  • 1000 Detention Dr.Clarkesville GA 30523
• To pay a cash bond (cash bond includes cash, money orders, certified check, credit or debit cards) during business hours should contact Clarkesville Police Department at:
  • Phone: 706-754-5390
  • 405 Madison St. Clarkesville GA 30523
• To pay a cash bond after hours contact Habersham County E911 non-emergency number 706-778-3911. We only accept cash in the exact amount or money orders after hours.

• Interpreters for languages other than English or for the hearing impaired may be requested at your first court appearance.
• Your case will not be heard until an interpreter is made available to you.
• You will not be charged for these services.

In certain circumstances, you may be eligible for a court appointed attorney at no cost to you.

• Request for a court appointed attorney are only accepted in open court.
• Your case will not be heard until the application process has been completed.
• The court will review your case and determine if you are eligible to submit an application.
• A $50.00 application fee will be imposed but may be waived by the court.
• Applicants will complete an application form and will be required to provide financial information.
• You will be interviewed by court staff to determine eligibility.
• The judge will review the application and make a ruling concerning the appointment of an attorney.

In spite of the fact that the Municipal Court if a Court of Common Pleas, certain minimum standards are necessary. All defendants, officers, and witnesses are expected to maintain silence during the sessions. In the event excessive noise is created or any of the following rules are not followed, the bailiff shall warn the person to conform to proper conduct. Failure to obey can result in ejection from the Courtroom, and in extreme cases, charges of contempt of Court may be preferred.

Courtroom Rules

• All pagers, beepers and cell phones shall be turned off.
• No weapons of any kind are permitted in the courtroom.
• No food, beverages or tobacco products are permitted in the courtroom.
• No headgear except for religious items are permitted in the courtroom.
• Proper attire is required: No shorts, tank tops, bare midriffs, halter tops, flip-flops, and low-hanging baggy pants are permitted in the courtroom.
• Please do not bring children to court unless absolutely necessary.Please arrange for a friend or relative to watch your child(ren) while you are in court.
• Be on time, stand when speaking to the judge, only approach the bench when instructed to do so, do not talk to others while court is in session, and enter and leave the courtroom quietly.

If you have reviewed your citation and need to update any contact information, please contact the Clerk of Court at 706-754-5390.