Access Clayton County Arrest Records

Clayton County arrest records are managed by the sheriff's office in Jonesboro, Georgia. This major Atlanta suburb has roughly 297,000 residents, making it one of the most populated counties in the state. Sheriff Levon Allen oversees all bookings, jail operations, and arrest record access. Clayton County arrest records are public under Georgia law. You can search for them through the sheriff's office, statewide databases run by the GBI, or through an open records request. This page covers every method available.

Clayton County Sheriff's Office Records

Sheriff Levon Allen leads the Clayton County Sheriff's Office at 9157 Tara Blvd, Jonesboro, GA 30236. This is where all arrest records in Clayton County originate. Every booking into the jail creates a record with the person's name, charges, arrest date, and personal details. That data stays on file locally and gets reported to the state through the GCIC network.

Call 770-477-4469 to ask about an arrest record or check on a current inmate. Walk-in requests are accepted during business hours. Bring your photo ID. Staff can search by name, date of birth, or booking date. For copies of full arrest reports from Clayton County, submit a written request with as much detail as you can. The sheriff's office processes a high volume of bookings because of the county's large population. Response times depend on how many requests are in the queue.

Clayton County sits in the Clayton Judicial Circuit. Felony cases that begin with an arrest here move through the Superior Court in Jonesboro. The sheriff's office also handles courthouse security, warrants, and civil process for the county.

Note: Clayton County is home to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which can result in arrests that involve both local and federal law enforcement.

Georgia State Records for Clayton County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the statewide criminal history system that includes Clayton County arrest records. The Crime Information Center collects data from every county. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, you can request your own criminal history for up to $15. This would show all Clayton County arrests on file with the state.

From the GBI site you can reach criminal history services, the sex offender registry, and crime data reports. The criminal history FAQ explains the full process. For Clayton County, start with the sheriff's office in Jonesboro. The GCIC lobby in Decatur handles in-person requests by appointment only at (404) 244-2639.

The Georgia Felon Search is a name-based tool at $15 per query. Only felony convictions show up. Clayton County misdemeanor arrests will not appear. You pay whether a match is found or not.

Clayton County Offender and Inmate Search

The Georgia Department of Corrections tracks people in state prison. If a Clayton County arrest resulted in a prison sentence, that person is in the GDC system. The GDC Find Offender page lets you search by name or GDC ID number. Photos display when available.

The search shows current facility location and basic identifying data. For a direct database query, use the GDC Offender Query form. GDC makes no guarantee on accuracy. Verify through written correspondence with Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-38, getting records under false pretenses brings a fine up to $5,000 and up to two years in prison.

Clayton County Open Records Requests

Georgia's Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 gives the public access to government records. Clayton County arrest reports are public documents under this law. Initial arrest reports cannot be withheld, even during active investigations.

Submit a written request to the Clayton County Sheriff's Office. Be specific about the records you want. Include the person's name, a date range, and the type of document. The office must respond within three business days. Copy fees are allowed. Given Clayton County's size, complex or large requests may take extra time. If you think a request was wrongly denied, you can challenge the decision. First-time violations of the Open Records Act carry a fine up to $1,000.

Record Restriction in Clayton County

Certain Clayton County arrest records can be restricted under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Charges that were dismissed, not prosecuted, or placed on a dead docket may qualify. Restricted records are invisible to the public. Only criminal justice agencies can see them.

For Clayton County arrests before July 1, 2013, file a written request with the sheriff's office and pay a fee of up to $50. Later arrests go through the prosecutor. Guilty dispositions are never eligible for restriction. The GCIC handles the actual sealing after local approval. The Georgia Sex Offender Registry is a separate tool that tracks registered offenders living in Clayton County.

Note: Clayton County's large population means there are more restriction-eligible arrest records than in most Georgia counties.

Cities in Clayton County

Clayton County includes Jonesboro, Morrow, Riverdale, Forest Park, Lake City, and Lovejoy. All arrest records for the county go through the sheriff's office. No city in Clayton County meets the population threshold for a separate city page, but local police departments in these areas report arrests to the county system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clayton County south of Atlanta. Arrest records are filed in the county where the booking happened.