Lovejoy Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Lovejoy, Georgia?
Arrest records are public in Lovejoy, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the legal framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The Act stipulates that public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying by any citizen of the state during regular office hours.
The Georgia Open Records Act serves several important functions:
- It promotes transparency in governmental operations
- It ensures accountability of public officials and agencies
- It provides citizens with information about law enforcement activities
- It allows individuals to verify the accuracy of information maintained about them
Residents of Lovejoy seeking arrest records may obtain them through the appropriate governmental agencies, including the Lovejoy Police Department and the Clayton County Sheriff's Office. These records typically become available after the booking process has been completed and the information has been entered into the relevant databases.
How to Look Up Lovejoy Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Lovejoy have multiple avenues available for accessing this information. The Clayton County judicial system maintains records of arrests that occur within its jurisdiction, including those in Lovejoy. Individuals may utilize the following methods to obtain arrest records:
- Visit the Clayton County Courts in person to request physical copies of arrest records
- Access the Court Case Inquiry system provided by Clayton County for online searches
- Submit a formal written request to the Lovejoy Police Department for specific arrest information
- Contact the Clayton County Sheriff's Office Records Division for county-wide arrest data
- Utilize the Traffic Citation Inquiry system for arrests related to traffic violations
When requesting arrest records in person, individuals must present valid identification and may be required to complete a records request form. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.
Lovejoy Police Department
2296 Talmadge Road
Lovejoy, GA 30250
Phone: (678) 610-9748
Official Website
Clayton County Sheriff's Office
9157 Tara Boulevard
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Phone: (770) 477-4479
Official Website
Contents of a Lovejoy Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Lovejoy law enforcement agencies and the Clayton County judicial system contain standardized information as required by Georgia law. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in detention. A comprehensive arrest record typically includes:
Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
- Circumstances leading to the arrest
Legal information:
- Criminal charges filed, including Georgia Code citations
- Case number assigned by the court
- Warrant information, if applicable
- Bail or bond amount set
- Court appearance dates
- Disposition of the case (if resolved)
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Lovejoy
The State of Georgia provides a legal mechanism for the restriction and sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances through a process formerly known as expungement, now officially termed "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Individuals who have been arrested in Lovejoy may petition for record restriction if their case meets the statutory requirements.
Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Georgia include:
- Cases where no formal charges were filed within the statute of limitations
- Charges that were dismissed or nolle prossed
- Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdicts)
- Arrests for certain misdemeanors committed by youthful offenders
- First-offender dispositions after successful completion of probation
- Conditional discharge for certain drug offenses after completion of terms
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards the request to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) for processing. If approved, the arrest record will be restricted from public view, though it remains accessible to law enforcement agencies and for certain employment purposes as specified by law.
Clayton County District Attorney's Office
Harold R. Banke Justice Center
9151 Tara Boulevard, Suite 3FA
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Phone: (770) 477-3450
Official Website
Individuals seeking record restriction must file the appropriate forms and may be required to pay administrative fees as authorized by O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(d)(1). The process typically takes 90-120 days for review and determination.
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