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