Arrest records in Henry County, Georgia are public documents pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that records maintained by public agencies, including those related to arrests, shall be available for inspection by members of the public. The Georgia Open Records Act is designed to promote transparency in government operations and ensure accountability of law enforcement agencies to the citizens they serve.
The Henry County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duties. While most arrest information is publicly accessible, certain exceptions exist under Georgia law for records that may compromise ongoing investigations, contain confidential informant information, or involve juvenile offenders as specified in O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700.
Members of the public seeking arrest records may submit requests to:
Henry County Sheriff's Office
120 Henry Parkway
McDonough, GA 30253
(770) 288-7100
Henry County Sheriff's Office
Operating hours for public record requests are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county holidays.
Henry County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Henry County Sheriff's Office inmate database provides current information on individuals in custody. This searchable database is updated regularly and includes booking information, charges, and custody status.
Additionally, the Henry County Clerk of Superior Court maintains an electronic records system that allows public access to court records related to arrests and subsequent case proceedings. These records can be accessed through the county's official website or through terminals located at the courthouse.
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge reasonable fees for electronic access to these records. The standard fee schedule is established by the Henry County Board of Commissioners and is subject to periodic review and adjustment.
The Henry County government provides multiple methods for accessing arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking this information may utilize the following procedures:
Online Access: The Henry County inmate search portal allows users to search current and recent arrest records using name, booking number, or date parameters. This system is maintained by the Sheriff's Office and updated daily.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Unit at the Henry County Police Department to obtain physical copies of arrest records.
Henry County Police Department Records Unit
108 S. Zack Hinton Parkway
McDonough, GA 30253
(770) 288-8200
Records Unit Information
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Open Records Requests: Formal requests may be submitted through the county's Open Records Request portal in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. Requests must specify the information sought with reasonable particularity.
Criminal History Background Checks: For official purposes such as employment verification, individuals may request criminal background checks through the Sheriff's Office. This process requires fingerprinting and proper identification.
Standard processing times for arrest record requests range from 3-5 business days for electronic records and up to 10 business days for archived records, as permitted under Georgia law.
Henry County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Georgia law and county ordinances. These official documents typically include:
The Henry County Criminal Division maintains these records in accordance with Georgia Records Retention schedules. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of these records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information.
For arrests resulting in court proceedings, additional documentation becomes part of the public record through the Henry County Clerk of Superior Court's office, located at:
Henry County Clerk of Superior Court
One Judicial Center, Suite 1200
McDonough, GA 30253
(770) 288-7600
Clerk's Office Information
Under Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain arrest records in Henry County may be eligible for restriction and sealing, commonly referred to as expungement. The process allows for limiting public access to arrest information under specific circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for record restriction in Henry County include:
The restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, typically the Henry County Police Department or Sheriff's Office. For arrests after July 1, 2013, many eligible cases receive automatic restriction consideration. For older cases or those requiring manual review, applicants must file a "Request for Restriction of Criminal History Record Information" form with the appropriate agency.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) makes final determinations on record restriction requests after receiving recommendations from local agencies. Processing times typically range from 90-120 days. If approved, the records become restricted from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in Georgia law.
Individuals seeking expungement assistance may contact:
Henry County Solicitor General's Office
One Judicial Center, Suite 270
McDonough, GA 30253
(770) 288-6200