Clayton County Criminal Records
What Is Clayton County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Clayton County, Georgia, constitute official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70 and serve as the official history of arrests, prosecutions, and court dispositions.
Criminal records in Clayton County encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, including the Clayton County Sheriff's Office and local police departments, regardless of whether charges were filed or convictions obtained
- Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings, including arraignments, pleas, trials, and sentencing
- Conviction Records: Final judgments resulting in guilty verdicts or pleas
- Incarceration Records: Documentation of time served in county detention facilities
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document instances where individuals were taken into custody by law enforcement, while conviction records specifically indicate cases where guilt was established through court proceedings. Felony records pertain to more serious offenses potentially punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanor records document lesser offenses typically punishable by fines or jail terms under one year.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Clayton County:
Clayton County Sheriff's Office
9157 Tara Boulevard
Jonesboro, GA 30236
(770) 477-4400
Clayton County Sheriff's Office
Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court
Harold R. Banke Justice Center
9151 Tara Boulevard
Jonesboro, GA 30236
(770) 477-3432
Clayton County Courts
Clayton County Police Department
7911 N. McDonough Street
Jonesboro, GA 30236
(770) 477-3747
Clayton County Police Department
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034
(404) 244-2600
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Juvenile records in Clayton County are generally sealed and not accessible to the public pursuant to Georgia Code § 15-11-701, which provides special protections for minors within the justice system.
Are Criminal Records Public In Clayton County
Criminal records in Clayton County are generally considered public documents under the Georgia Open Records Act, codified in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.. This statute establishes that "all public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying" by any member of the public, with certain exceptions as provided by law.
The Georgia Open Records Act specifically states that public records include "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer based or generated information, data, data fields, or similar material prepared and maintained or received by an agency." This broad definition encompasses most criminal records maintained by Clayton County agencies.
Public criminal records in Clayton County typically include:
- Adult arrest records
- Court dockets and case files
- Conviction records
- Sentencing information
- Incarceration records
- Sex offender registry information
However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. Several categories of records are restricted or exempt from disclosure under Georgia law:
- Records pertaining to pending investigations by law enforcement agencies
- Records sealed by court order
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records expunged or restricted pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37
- Records containing confidential informant information
- Records that would constitute an invasion of personal privacy if disclosed
The Clayton County Superior Court maintains public access terminals where members of the public may search court records during regular business hours. Additionally, the Clayton County Sheriff's Office provides certain criminal record information through its online inmate search portal.
It is important to note that while many criminal records are public, their accessibility may be subject to administrative procedures and fees established by the custodial agencies. Requesters may be required to submit formal written requests and pay reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Clayton County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Clayton County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches, each providing different types of information.
To conduct an in-person search for criminal records:
- Visit the Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court located at the Harold R. Banke Justice Center, 9151 Tara Boulevard, Jonesboro, GA 30236
- Present a valid government-issued photo identification
- Complete a records request form specifying the information sought
- Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $5.00 for record search plus $0.50 per page for copies)
- Allow staff to process the request, which may take 3-5 business days for completion
For criminal case information, individuals may access the Court Case Inquiry system maintained by the Clayton County courts. This system allows searches by:
- Defendant name
- Case number
- Citation number
- Filing date range
To obtain arrest and booking information:
- Contact the Clayton County Sheriff's Office Records Division at (770) 477-4400
- Submit a completed records request form in person or via mail to 9157 Tara Boulevard, Jonesboro, GA 30236
- Include a copy of valid identification and payment for applicable fees
- Specify the exact information requested, including names, dates, and case numbers if available
For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may request a background check through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). This process requires:
- Submission of a fingerprint card
- Payment of the required fee (currently $25.00)
- Completion of the appropriate consent forms
- Submission to the GBI at 3121 Panthersville Road, Decatur, GA 30034
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, individuals may also request their own criminal history record information directly from the GBI for review and potential correction of inaccuracies.
How To Find Criminal Records in Clayton County Online?
Clayton County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records information. These digital portals offer convenient access to various components of the county's criminal justice records system.
The primary online resources for criminal records in Clayton County include:
-
Clayton County Court Case Inquiry System This portal allows users to search court cases by defendant name, case number, or filing date. The system provides case summaries including charges, hearing dates, and disposition information. Access is available through the Court Case Inquiry portal. Users should note that this system does not include cases filed before the court began using the Judicial Information System, sealed cases, or cases outside Clayton County jurisdiction.
-
Clayton County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search The Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search database that provides information on currently incarcerated individuals and those recently released. Search options include:
- Booking date (past 48 hours, 14 days, or 31 days)
- Inmate name
- Booking number Results include booking photos, charges, bond information, and court dates.
-
Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Search For information on individuals sentenced to state prison, users may access the Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Search at GDC Offender Search. This database includes current inmates and those on probation or parole under state supervision.
-
Georgia Sex Offender Registry Information about registered sex offenders residing in Clayton County is available through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's sex offender registry at Georgia Sex Offender Registry.
When using these online resources, users should be aware of certain limitations:
- Not all criminal records are available online
- Some records may require in-person requests
- Historical records may not be digitized
- Certain case types (juvenile, sealed, expunged) are excluded
- Information may be updated periodically rather than in real-time
For the most comprehensive criminal records search, users may need to supplement online searches with in-person requests at the appropriate county offices.
Can You Search Clayton County Criminal Records for Free?
Clayton County provides several options for free access to criminal records, consistent with Georgia's Open Records Act. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records, but inspection of records is generally available without charge.
Free criminal records resources in Clayton County include:
-
Public Access Terminals The Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court provides public access computer terminals at the Harold R. Banke Justice Center (9151 Tara Boulevard, Jonesboro, GA 30236). These terminals are available during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) and allow free searches of court case information. While searching is free, printing documents incurs a fee of $0.50 per page.
-
Online Inmate Search The Clayton County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search is available at no cost and provides information on current inmates and those recently released from county custody. This resource includes booking photos, charges, and bond information.
-
Online Court Case Inquiry The Clayton County Court Case Inquiry system is freely accessible and allows searches for criminal case information by name, case number, or filing date. This system provides case summaries, hearing dates, and disposition information at no cost.
-
Daily Jail Booking Reports The Clayton County Sheriff's Office maintains a log of recent bookings that can be viewed in person at the Sheriff's Office (9157 Tara Boulevard, Jonesboro, GA 30236) at no charge.
While these resources provide free access to basic criminal records information, more comprehensive searches or obtaining certified copies typically involve fees:
- Criminal history background checks: $15-25
- Certified court documents: $5.00 plus $0.50 per page
- Record searches requiring extensive staff time: Hourly fee may apply
- Expedited processing: Additional fees may apply
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c)(1), agencies may require prepayment for search, retrieval, and copying costs when estimated to exceed $25.00. Fee waivers may be available in cases of indigence or when the request is determined to be in the public interest.
What's Included in a Clayton County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Clayton County contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information as outlined below.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention facility location
- Arresting officer information
- Incident report number
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date
- Charges filed with statutory citations
- Classification of charges (felony or misdemeanor)
- Plea entered
- Attorney information (public defender or private counsel)
- Judge assigned to the case
- Hearing dates and proceedings
- Motions filed and their dispositions
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration period
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution ordered
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and conditions
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Prior criminal history references
The comprehensiveness of criminal records may vary depending on the stage of the criminal justice process and the agency maintaining the records. Records maintained by the Clayton County Sheriff's Office focus primarily on arrest and detention information, while court records maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court contain more detailed information about case proceedings and dispositions.
It should be noted that pursuant to Georgia law, certain information may be redacted from publicly available criminal records, including Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other personally identifying information protected by privacy statutes.
How Long Does Clayton County Keep Criminal Records?
Clayton County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Georgia Archives and Records Management Division, as mandated by O.C.G.A. § 50-18-99. These schedules specify the minimum periods for which different types of criminal records must be preserved.
The retention periods for various criminal records in Clayton County are as follows:
- Felony Case Files: Permanent retention for murder cases; 25 years after case closure for other felonies
- Misdemeanor Case Files: 10 years after case closure
- Traffic Case Files: 7 years after case closure
- Arrest Records: 75 years from date of arrest
- Booking Photographs: 5 years for misdemeanors; 75 years for felonies
- Incident Reports: 5 years after creation
- Investigation Files: 25 years after case closure for solved cases; 75 years for unsolved felonies
- Court Dockets: Permanent retention
- Indictments and Accusations: Permanent retention
- Sentencing Documents: Permanent retention
- Probation Records: 10 years after completion of probation
- Jail Records: 7 years after release from custody
- Warrant Applications: 7 years after execution or expiration
These retention periods represent the minimum time frames for which records must be maintained. In practice, many records—particularly those of historical or significant legal value—may be retained indefinitely. Court judgments, indictments, and records of serious felonies are typically preserved permanently in the county archives.
Digital records management systems have expanded the county's capacity to retain records beyond the minimum required periods. The Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court has implemented digital archiving for court records dating back several decades, making historical case information increasingly accessible.
It is important to note that while records may be maintained for extended periods, access to certain records may be restricted through expungement, sealing, or restriction orders pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. These processes do not necessarily destroy the records but may limit their visibility in public searches.
The Georgia Archives' Records Management Division periodically reviews and updates retention schedules, which may result in changes to these retention periods. County officials adhere to the most current approved schedules when determining record disposition.
Lookup Criminal Records in Clayton County
Sheriff's Office - Clayton County, Georgia
Inmate Search - Clayton County, Georgia