Criminal records in Clayton County, Georgia, can be accessed through several online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. ClaytonCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Clayton County. Additional access points include the Clayton County Court Case Inquiry system, the Sheriff's Office inmate search, the Clerk of Superior Court, and statewide resources through the Georgia Courts portal and the Georgia Department of Corrections.
How to Search Criminal Records in Clayton County, Georgia
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Clayton County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and what type of record you need.
Online Search Options
- ClaytonCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information for Clayton County cases.
- Clayton County Court Case Inquiry — The county's Judicial Information System (JIS) allows name searches and case number searches for criminal cases filed in Clayton County courts. Note that cases filed before the court entered data into JIS, sealed cases, adoption cases, and juvenile court cases are not accessible through this tool.
- Clayton County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search — Search active inmates by last name. You can refine results by adding a first initial or first name. This tool shows only currently active inmates.
- Sheriff's Jail Docket Inquiry — Search booking records by date for the past 48 hours, 14 days, or 31 days.
- Georgia Courts E-Access — The statewide portal for electronic access to court records. An account may be required.
- Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Query — Search for individuals currently or formerly in the state prison system.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Superior Court office at the Clayton County courthouse in Jonesboro. Public access terminals may be available for searching court records on-site. Bring a valid photo ID.
By Mail or Written Request
Submit a written request to the Clerk of Superior Court for copies of specific criminal case records. Include:
- The defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if available)
- Your name, return address, and contact information
- Payment for applicable fees
For a statewide criminal history report, submit a request to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. This typically requires fingerprint submission and a processing fee.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Defendant's full name (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (for direct case lookups)
- Booking date (for jail docket searches)
Search Clayton County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, you can look up a specific criminal case through the Clayton County Court Case Inquiry system using the Case Search option.
Georgia case numbers generally follow a format that includes:
- Year — The two- or four-digit year the case was filed
- Court type code — A letter or abbreviation indicating the court (e.g., "CR" for criminal cases in Superior Court, "ST" for State Court)
- Sequential number — A number assigned in the order the case was filed within that court and year
For example, a case number like 2024-CR-00123 would indicate a criminal case filed in Superior Court in 2024, with 00123 as the sequential filing number. The exact format may vary slightly between Superior Court and State Court in Clayton County.
Entering the case number exactly as it appears on court documents produces the most reliable results. If you only have a partial number, try a name search instead and locate the case from the results list.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Clayton County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) section the defendant is charged under |
| Charge description | Plain-language description of the offense |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — felonies are heard in Superior Court; misdemeanors are typically handled in State Court or Magistrate Court |
| Amended charges | Charges may be modified through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion; the amended charge replaces or supplements the original |
| Count number | When multiple charges exist, each is listed as a separate count |
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | The case has been filed but not yet resolved |
| Active | The case is currently proceeding through the court |
| Disposed | The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.) |
| Closed | All court proceedings and obligations (such as sentencing conditions) are complete |
Hearing Types
- First appearance / arraignment — The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists to proceed (felony cases)
- Pre-trial hearing — Motions, discovery disputes, and plea discussions occur before trial
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The court imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — The court checks compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | The charges were dropped by the prosecution or the court |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecution chose not to pursue the case (common in Georgia) |
| Dead docketed | The case is inactive but not formally dismissed — it can potentially be revived |
| First offender | Under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60, the defendant is sentenced without a formal conviction; successful completion results in discharge without a conviction on record |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Clayton County
Certified copies of criminal court records in Clayton County are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court. The clerk's office also offers an eCertification service that allows you to electronically request certified and regular court records around the clock.
How to Submit a Request
- Online — Use the eCertification portal available through the Clerk of Superior Court's website to request certified or regular copies of court records 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- In person — Visit the Clerk of Superior Court office at the Clayton County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request specifying the case number, defendant name, and the type of document needed. Include payment for applicable fees and a return address.
Required Identification
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport)
- If requesting on behalf of another person, authorization documentation may be required
Forms
The Clerk of Superior Court provides downloadable forms for various record requests, including Superior Court records forms.
Contact Information
Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court
For statewide criminal history records, contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's GCIC division. A fingerprint-based background check is required for official criminal history reports in Georgia.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Clayton County
Fees for criminal record copies in Clayton County are set by Georgia statute and the Clerk of Superior Court's fee schedule.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy of court record | $0.25 per page (first 10 pages); $0.10 per page thereafter |
| Certification fee | $2.50 per document |
| Search fee (clerk's office) | $5.00 per name searched |
| GBI fingerprint-based background check | Approximately $20.00–$35.00 (varies by submission method) |
Fees are based on the Georgia fee schedule under O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77. Confirm current amounts with the clerk's office, as fees may be updated.
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within 1–3 business days, depending on the complexity of the request
- eCertification (online) — Typically processed within a few business days
- Mail requests — Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mailing
- GBI criminal history (fingerprint-based) — Processing times vary; allow several weeks
Payment methods accepted at the clerk's office generally include cash, money order, and certified check. For online requests through eCertification, credit or debit card payments are typically accepted. Contact the Clerk of Superior Court directly to confirm accepted payment methods before submitting your request.