Access Clayton County Police Blotter

Clayton County police blotter records track law enforcement activity across one of the most populated counties in the Atlanta metro area. The sheriff's office in Jonesboro handles county-level blotter records, while several city police departments also serve parts of Clayton County. If you need to find an arrest record, look up an incident report, or check what happened at a certain address, the agency you contact depends on the location. Georgia's Open Records Act makes all police blotter entries available to the public, and the request process is the same across every agency in Clayton County.

Clayton County Police Blotter Office

Sheriff Levon Allen leads the Clayton County Sheriff's Office from Tara Boulevard in Jonesboro. The office handles patrol in unincorporated areas, runs the county jail, serves warrants, and provides courthouse security. The jail booking log is a key source for daily arrest data across Clayton County because everyone booked into the jail shows up in the record, no matter which agency made the arrest.

Clayton County is densely populated and sits just south of Atlanta. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is partly in Clayton County, which adds to the traffic and the volume of law enforcement calls. The sheriff's office police blotter reflects all of that. Deputies respond to calls around the clock. The blotter logs every response, arrest, and incident that comes through the dispatch center. If you need county-level police blotter data from Clayton County, the sheriff's office is the place to start.

The Clayton County Police Department is a separate agency that also patrols unincorporated areas. Between the police department and the sheriff's office, the county has strong coverage. Both agencies keep their own police blotter records.

Reading Clayton County Police Blotter

Call (770) 477-4469 for the sheriff's office. Give them the date, name, or case details tied to the police blotter record you need. The staff will check the system and tell you what is available. You can pick up copies in person at 9157 Tara Blvd in Jonesboro or request them by mail. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, the office must respond within three business days.

Copies cost up to 10 cents per page for standard paper. The first quarter hour of search time has no charge. After that, the fee is based on the pay rate of the lowest qualified employee. Clayton County processes a high volume of records due to the large population, so be specific with your request. A date and a name will get you results faster than a broad search across the entire police blotter.

For records from city police departments in Clayton County, contact the right agency directly. Jonesboro, Forest Park, Riverdale, Lake City, Morrow, and Lovejoy all have their own police forces with separate blotter records.

Clayton County Police Blotter Records

The Georgia Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 covers all police blotter records in Clayton County. Public records include all documents prepared and maintained by a government agency. The law gives any person the right to inspect and copy these records. You do not have to give a reason for wanting the police blotter data, and you do not have to be a party to any case.

Exemptions under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 allow agencies to withhold records tied to active investigations, confidential source identities, and information that could put someone in danger. Personal details like phone numbers and birth dates get blacked out on Clayton County police blotter copies. But the main facts of every entry are public. This includes dates, times, locations, charges, and names of arrested persons.

State Resources for Clayton County

I-75 and I-675 run through Clayton County, and the Georgia State Patrol works many incidents on these highways. State patrol reports are not part of the local police blotter. Use the EPORTS online portal to request them. Crash reports cost $5.00, incident reports cost $2.00, and the first citation is free.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation supports Clayton County on major cases. Their records request portal is open for public filings. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, criminal history records beyond Georgia felony convictions need the person's consent. Police blotter entries do not require consent. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory lists all 159 county sheriffs.

For inmates who were arrested in Clayton County and are now in state prison, use the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search. The GBI tip line at (800) 597-8477 takes anonymous crime tips. The DPS fee schedule details all costs for state patrol report requests.

What Clayton County Blotter Data Contains

A police blotter entry from Clayton County includes the date and time, the location, a description of the incident, and the names of people involved. Arrest entries add the charges, bond amount, and booking details. Incident reports include officer notes, witness information, and evidence details. Calls for service logs show what dispatch received, even for calls that did not lead to a formal report.

Clayton County generates a large amount of police blotter data given its population. The sheriff's booking log alone processes hundreds of entries each week. The county police department and various city departments add to that total. If you need to search through this volume of records, narrow your request as much as possible to get results quickly and keep fees low in Clayton County.

Note: The GBI crime statistics database is currently unavailable online, but crime data from Clayton County agencies is still collected monthly by the state.

Clayton County Records Fees

Standard copy fees apply across all agencies in Clayton County. Paper copies are up to 10 cents per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. The first 15 minutes of search time are free. After that, the charge is based on the lowest qualified employee's hourly rate. For large requests, the total can add up. Ask for an estimate before the search begins.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clayton County. If the incident took place near a county line, the police blotter record may be on file at a neighboring agency. Confirm the right jurisdiction before placing your request.