Arrest records are public in Stockbridge, Georgia, pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.). This legislation establishes that all public records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of the state. The accessibility of these records promotes transparency in the criminal justice system and enables citizens to monitor law enforcement activities within their community.
The Henry County Sheriff's Office, which has jurisdiction over Stockbridge, maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Members of the public seeking arrest information may obtain these records through established protocols, subject to certain exemptions that protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72.
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Stockbridge, Georgia. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following resources:
Visit the Henry County Sheriff's Office in person to request arrest record information. The records division processes these requests during regular business hours.
Henry County Sheriff's Office
120 Henry Parkway
McDonough, GA 30253
770-288-7100
Henry County Sheriff's Office
Access the City of Stockbridge official website, which provides guidance on obtaining public records. The city clerk's office coordinates with law enforcement to fulfill public records requests.
Submit a formal Open Records Request through the Stockbridge City Clerk's Office. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, the clerk must respond to requests within three business days.
Stockbridge City Clerk's Office
4640 North Henry Boulevard
Stockbridge, GA 30281
770-389-7900
Utilize the Henry County Judicial System's online portal, which provides access to court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings.
Contact the Henry County Clerk of Superior Court for arrest records that have proceeded to court action.
Henry County Clerk of Superior Court
One Judicial Center, Suite 1A
McDonough, GA 30253
770-288-7600
Arrest records maintained by Stockbridge law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Georgia Bureau of Investigation protocols. These records typically include:
The comprehensiveness of these records serves both administrative and investigative purposes while providing the public with information regarding law enforcement activities in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, which governs the duties of criminal justice agencies regarding record maintenance.
The State of Georgia provides a legal mechanism for the restriction and sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances through O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37. This process, formerly referred to as expungement, is now officially termed "record restriction" in Georgia law.
Individuals may petition for record restriction in Stockbridge if their case meets one of the following criteria:
The record restriction process requires submission of an application to the arresting agency, which then forwards the request to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) for processing. Applicants must complete Form RC-31, available through the Henry County Sheriff's Office or the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Certain serious offenses, including violent felonies, sexual crimes, and crimes against minors, are statutorily excluded from eligibility for record restriction under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(j)(4). Additionally, individuals with subsequent arrests or convictions may face limitations on their eligibility for record restriction.
Upon approval of a record restriction request, the arrest record becomes sealed from public view but remains accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified in O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(l). The restricted record will not appear in standard background checks conducted by the general public or most employers.
Individuals seeking record restriction in Stockbridge may file their petition with:
Henry County District Attorney's Office
One Judicial Center, Suite 2E
McDonough, GA 30253
770-288-6400