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Morrow Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Morrow, Georgia?

Arrest records are public documents in Morrow, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to members of the public. The statute ensures transparency in governmental operations and accountability within the criminal justice system. Citizens and other interested parties may request and obtain arrest records maintained by the Morrow Police Department and other law enforcement agencies operating within Clayton County jurisdiction.

The Georgia Open Records Act specifically designates arrest records as public information, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and records sealed by court order. Individuals seeking arrest records may submit requests to the appropriate custodial agency, which is legally obligated to respond within three business days as specified under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(b)(1)(A).

How to Look Up Morrow Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Morrow, Georgia. The following methods are available for record retrieval:

Submit an Open Records Request to the City of Morrow. Pursuant to Georgia law, requesters may need to pay reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and reproduction of records.
Visit the Morrow Police Department in person to request arrest records: Morrow Police Department 6311-A Murphy Drive Morrow, GA 30260 Phone: 770.961.4006 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Contact the Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court for arrest records related to cases processed through the county judicial system: Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court 9151 Tara Boulevard Jonesboro, GA 30236 Phone: 770.477.3432 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Access the Clayton County Court Case Inquiry system for information on cases that have been filed with the court.
Visit the Morrow Municipal Court for records related to municipal violations: Morrow Municipal Court 1500 Morrow Road Morrow, GA 30260 Phone: 770.961.4004 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Requesters should note that certain processing fees may apply in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c), which permits agencies to charge for the cost of search, retrieval, and reproduction of records. Payment options typically include cash, credit card, or money order.

Contents of a Morrow Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Morrow Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within Clayton County typically contain the following information as mandated by Georgia Code § 35-3-33:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed enumeration of criminal charges filed, including applicable Georgia Code sections
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for the arrest (e.g., Morrow Police Department, Clayton County Sheriff's Office)
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint data collected during the booking process
Case or incident number assigned to the arrest
Custody status information
Bond amount, if applicable
Court appearance dates and locations

It should be noted that 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 other personal identifiers that could facilitate identity theft or compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Morrow

The State of Georgia provides a legal mechanism for the restriction and sealing of certain arrest records through a process formerly known as expungement, now officially termed "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. Individuals with arrest records in Morrow may qualify for record restriction under the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in non-conviction dispositions, including:
- Dismissal of charges
- Nolle prosequi (formal abandonment of prosecution)
- Acquittal by judge or jury
- Dead docket status maintained for more than 12 months
First offender dispositions successfully completed under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60
Conditional discharge completions under O.C.G.A. § 16-13-2
Certain misdemeanor convictions for offenses committed by individuals under 21 years of age

The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which in Morrow would typically be the Morrow Police Department. The application must include:

Completed GBI Record Restriction Application form
Certified copy of the final disposition
Applicant's fingerprints for verification purposes
Payment of applicable processing fees

Upon approval, restricted records will not appear in criminal background checks conducted by private employers or the general public. However, these records remain accessible to criminal justice agencies, certain licensing boards, and other governmental entities as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(2).

Individuals seeking record restriction should be aware that the process typically takes 90-120 days for completion following submission of all required documentation.

Legal Implications of Arrest Records in Morrow

Arrest records in Morrow carry significant legal implications for affected individuals. The existence of these public documents may impact various aspects of a person's life, including:

Employment opportunities, as many employers in Georgia conduct background checks in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34
Housing applications, with landlords frequently screening prospective tenants
Professional licensing through state boards that evaluate moral character and fitness
Educational opportunities, particularly for programs requiring background clearance
Firearm purchase eligibility under federal and state regulations
Immigration status and naturalization proceedings

It is important to note that under Georgia law, an arrest record alone does not constitute proof of guilt. The presumption of innocence is maintained until a conviction is secured through proper judicial proceedings as established in Article I, Section I, Paragraph XI of the Georgia Constitution.

Individuals with arrest records in Morrow should be aware that the City of Morrow Municipal Code § 14-6-3 prohibits discrimination in employment based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction. However, convictions may lawfully be considered in employment decisions when relevant to the position sought.

Privacy Considerations for Morrow Arrest Records

While arrest records in Morrow are generally public documents, certain privacy protections exist under Georgia law. The following provisions apply to arrest record privacy:

Juvenile records (individuals under 17 years of age) are subject to confidentiality protections under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-703, with limited exceptions for serious offenses
Records pertaining to victims of certain crimes, including sexual offenses, may have identifying information redacted pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-6-23
Mental health information contained within arrest records is protected under both state law and HIPAA regulations
Records sealed by court order following successful completion of pre-trial diversion programs
Information related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily exempt from disclosure under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(4)

The Morrow Police Department and other custodial agencies must balance public access rights with privacy considerations when responding to record requests. Individuals who believe their privacy rights have been violated may file a complaint with the agency's records custodian or seek judicial review as provided in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-73.