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Clarkston Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Clarkston, Georgia?

Arrest records are public documents in Clarkston, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that all public records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be available for inspection and copying by any member of the public unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The Georgia Open Records Act serves multiple public interests, including promoting government transparency, facilitating public safety awareness, and supporting the effective administration of justice within the community.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Georgia law. Such protected information typically includes Social Security numbers, medical information, and certain personal identifiers of minors. The custodian of records is required by law to provide a written explanation when information is withheld or redacted from requested documents.

How to Look Up Clarkston Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Clarkston provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following official methods:

Submit a formal Open Records Request through the City Clerk's Office. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, the city must respond to requests within three business days.
Visit the Clarkston Police Department in person to request arrest record information: Clarkston Police Department 3921 Church Street Clarkston, GA 30021 (404) 296-6489 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Police Services
Access records through the DeKalb County Courthouse for cases that have proceeded to court: DeKalb County Courthouse 556 N. McDonough Street Decatur, GA 30030 (404) 371-2261 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Utilize the Clarkston Municipal Court online portal for citation and case status information related to arrests processed through the municipal court system.

Requestors should note that fees may apply for document reproduction in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.

Contents of a Clarkston Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the City of Clarkston typically contain comprehensive documentation of law enforcement interactions with individuals taken into custody. Standard arrest records include the following categories of information:

Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and address of residence
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged criminal offense(s)
Identity of the arresting agency and the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including mugshot photographs and fingerprint records
Custody status information, including bail or bond amounts if applicable
Case disposition information, when available
Record of personal property taken into custody at the time of arrest

The Municipal Clerk of Court maintains these records in accordance with Georgia records retention schedules. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies in compliance with state and federal privacy laws.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Clarkston is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. The primary legal authorities include:

The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 through § 50-18-77) establishes the presumption that all public records, including arrest records, shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Georgia. The Act stipulates that public agencies must respond to records requests within three business days and provide reasonable access to requested documents.

The Georgia Criminal Justice Information System (GCJIS) regulations further govern the dissemination of criminal history record information. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, criminal history records may be released to the public subject to certain restrictions and procedures.

Federal regulations, including those promulgated under the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a), may limit the disclosure of certain information contained within arrest records, particularly when federal agencies are involved in the arrest or investigation.

The City of Clarkston has established local ordinances and administrative procedures to implement these state and federal requirements. These procedures are designed to facilitate public access while protecting sensitive information from improper disclosure.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Clarkston

Under Georgia law, certain individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records restricted from public view through a process commonly referred to as expungement or record restriction. The Georgia Record Restriction Law (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37) establishes the criteria and procedures for this process.

Eligibility for record restriction in Clarkston typically applies in the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in non-conviction dispositions, including acquittals, dismissals, nolle prosequi, or dead docketing
Arrests for which charges were never filed within the applicable statute of limitations
Certain first-offender and conditional discharge cases after successful completion of all terms
Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders under specific conditions

The record restriction process requires the submission of a formal petition to the appropriate court. For arrests processed through the Clarkston Municipal Court, petitions should be filed at:

Clarkston Municipal Court 1055 Rowland Street Clarkston, GA 30021 (404) 292-9465 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Municipal Court

Applicants should be aware that certain serious offenses, including violent crimes and sexual offenses, are generally ineligible for record restriction under Georgia law. Additionally, even when records are restricted from public view, they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers in sensitive positions as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(2).