Search Public Records

East Point Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in East Point, Georgia?

Arrest records are public in East Point, 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 arrest records maintained by the East Point Police Department, are subject to public inspection unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The Georgia Open Records Act serves to promote government transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities.

The City of East Point adheres to these regulations by maintaining arrest records through its police department and municipal court system. Members of the public may request access to these records through established procedures, though certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as provided by law. Exemptions may apply to records pertaining to ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or cases involving certain sensitive matters as defined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.

How to Look Up East Point Arrest Records in 2025

The City of East Point provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records in 2025:

  • Online Portal Access: Citizens may utilize the East Point Municipal Court online system to search for basic arrest information and case status. The system requires registration and may assess nominal fees for certain document retrievals.

  • In-Person Requests: Individuals may submit requests in person at the Records Division of the East Point Police Department located at:

    East Point Police Department
    2727 East Point Street
    East Point, GA 30344
    (404) 761-2177
    East Point Police Department
    Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

  • Written Requests: Citizens may submit formal written requests to the City Clerk's Office at:

    City of East Point - City Clerk's Office
    2757 East Point Street
    East Point, GA 30344
    (404) 270-7100
    City Clerk's Office

  • Fulton County Records: For comprehensive criminal history information, requestors may need to contact:

    Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court
    136 Pryor Street SW
    Atlanta, GA 30303
    (404) 612-4452

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. The standard fee structure includes $0.10 per page for copies and administrative costs for searches exceeding 15 minutes, calculated at the lowest hourly rate of the individual performing the search.

Contents of an East Point Arrest Record

East Point arrest records typically contain the following information as mandated by Georgia law and departmental policies:

  • Full legal name and known aliases of the arrested individual
  • Date, time, and location of the arrest
  • Booking number and processing information
  • Specific charges filed, including Georgia Code citations
  • Physical description including height, weight, identifying marks
  • Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and race
  • Arresting agency and officer identification
  • Booking photographs ("mugshots")
  • Fingerprint classification data
  • Custody status and bond information
  • Court case numbers and scheduled appearances
  • Disposition information (if available)

The East Point Police Department maintains these records in accordance with Georgia Bureau of Investigation standards and departmental record retention schedules. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of these records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(20).

Legal Uses of East Point Arrest Records

Arrest records obtained from East Point authorities may be utilized for various legitimate purposes under Georgia law:

  • Background Verification: Employers may use these records for pre-employment screening in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Georgia employment laws.

  • Housing Applications: Landlords and property management companies may review arrest records as part of tenant screening processes, subject to fair housing regulations.

  • Professional Licensing: State licensing boards may require disclosure of arrest records for certain professional licenses and certifications.

  • Personal Safety: Individuals may access these records to make informed decisions regarding personal and family safety.

  • Legal Proceedings: Attorneys may utilize arrest records in criminal and civil proceedings as permitted by the Georgia Rules of Evidence.

  • Research and Statistical Analysis: Academic institutions and policy researchers may use anonymized arrest data for studies and analysis.

Users of arrest record information must comply with all applicable federal and state laws regarding the use of such information, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) and Georgia anti-discrimination laws. Improper use of arrest record information may result in civil liability under various state and federal statutes.

Expungement of Arrest Records in East Point

Under Georgia law, certain individuals may be eligible to have their East Point arrest records restricted from public view through a process formerly known as expungement, now referred to as record restriction. The Georgia Criminal Record Restriction Law (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37) establishes the following eligibility criteria:

  • Arrests that did not result in formal charges
  • Cases where charges were dismissed or nolle prossed
  • Cases resulting in acquittal (not guilty verdicts)
  • First offender dispositions after successful completion of sentence
  • Conditional discharge completions for certain offenses
  • Certain misdemeanor convictions for youthful offenders

The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the East Point Municipal Court or the Fulton County Superior Court, depending on the jurisdiction of the original case. Applicants must:

  1. Obtain certified copies of the final disposition of their case
  2. Complete the appropriate record restriction application
  3. Pay applicable filing fees (fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants)
  4. Attend any required hearings as scheduled by the court

Upon approval, the court will issue an order directing the East Point Police Department and other relevant agencies to restrict the records from public disclosure. However, these restricted records remain available to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(i)(2).

Search Arrest Records in East Point