McDonough Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in McDonough, Georgia?
Arrest records are public documents in McDonough, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records maintained by state and local agencies, including law enforcement entities. The Act serves to promote transparency in government operations and accountability of public officials. Under these provisions, arrest records generated by the McDonough Police Department and the Henry County Sheriff's Office are generally accessible to any member of the public, subject to specific statutory exemptions designed to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and certain privacy interests as defined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
How to Look Up McDonough Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in McDonough have multiple methods available for conducting searches. The Henry County law enforcement agencies maintain these records in accordance with Georgia state law and county regulations. Individuals may access arrest information through the following official channels:
- Submit an Open Records Request to the Henry County Police Department or Sheriff's Office, as authorized under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71
- Visit the Henry County Sheriff's Office in person to request inmate and arrest information Henry County Sheriff's Office 120 Henry Parkway McDonough, GA 30253 770-288-7100 Official Website
- Access the Henry County Sheriff's Inmate Search portal for current detention information
- Request records at the Henry County Police Department headquarters Henry County Police Department 108 S. Zack Hinton Parkway McDonough, GA 30253 770-288-8200 Official Website
- Utilize the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) for statewide criminal history information, accessible through authorized agencies
Requestors should note that pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c)(1), agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. Current fee schedules are available at each agency's administrative office.
Contents of a McDonough Arrest Record
Official arrest records maintained by McDonough law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Georgia law and departmental policies. These records typically include the following elements:
- Subject's complete legal name and any documented aliases or known monikers
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest incident
- Statutory violations and charges filed, with reference to applicable Georgia Code sections
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking information including processing date and time
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
- Case or incident report numbers for cross-reference purposes
- Custody status and bail information where applicable
- Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction
The Henry County State Court maintains records of subsequent court proceedings related to arrests within its jurisdiction. The court is located at:
Henry County State Court One Judicial Center, Suite 260 McDonough, GA 30253 770-288-7700 Official Website
Expungement of Arrest Records in McDonough
The State of Georgia refers to the expungement process as "record restriction" under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. This statute provides mechanisms through which certain arrest records may be restricted from public disclosure under qualifying circumstances. Individuals arrested in McDonough may petition for record restriction if:
- The case was dismissed or nolle prossed (not prosecuted)
- The individual was found not guilty by a judge or jury
- The arrest occurred before July 1, 2013, and the case has not been referred for prosecution within 12 months
- The individual successfully completed a pre-trial diversion or first offender program
- The conviction was subsequently vacated or reversed
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards eligible requests to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) for processing. Applicants must submit the appropriate forms and may be required to pay administrative fees as authorized by state law.
Individuals seeking record restriction should note that certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for restriction, including serious violent felonies as defined in O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1 and sexual offenses specified in O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.2. Additionally, restricted records remain accessible to criminal justice agencies, certain employers as specified by law, and licensing boards for occupations affecting public safety.
Search Arrest Records in McDonough
