Henry County Criminal Court Records

Henry County criminal court records are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court at One Courthouse Square in McDonough. The clerk's office handles both felony and misdemeanor case filings for the Flint Judicial Circuit. You can search Henry County criminal records through the county website or by visiting the courthouse in person. The office also runs a NextRequest portal for formal public records requests. Staff can help you pull case files, look up court dates, and get copies of criminal records. McDonough is the county seat and the main location for all criminal court activity in Henry County. Online tools make it possible to check case status from home.

Henry County Criminal Court Clerk

Sabriya Hill serves as Clerk of Superior Court for Henry County. Her office sits at One Courthouse Square in McDonough. This is the main place to go for criminal court records in the county. The phone number is (770) 288-8022, and the fax line is (770) 898-7573. Office hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Kimberly Phelps is the Chief Deputy and can help with case file requests when the clerk is not available. The clerk's office handles a wide range of services beyond criminal records, including jury management, notary public appointments, trade name registration, and lien recordings. But for most people who walk in, criminal case lookups and copies are the main need.

The Henry County Clerk of Superior Court page is the starting point for criminal court records and clerk services in the county.

From that page, you can find contact info, office hours, and links to the search tools that the Henry County Clerk provides for criminal case lookups.

The State Court at (770) 288-7800 handles misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations in Henry County. Criminal trial reports are obtained through this court. The Magistrate Court at (770) 288-7700 deals with preliminary hearings, warrants, and bond matters. Each court creates its own set of criminal records that feed into the clerk's system.

Searching Henry County Criminal Records

There are two main ways to search for criminal court records in Henry County. The first is online. The county uses a Micropact Web Search ePortal for court records. You can search by name or case number. Civil, criminal, and other case types are all in the system. This is the quickest way to check on a case without going to the courthouse. You do not need an account to run a basic search, but some detailed case documents may need a formal request.

The Henry County Search Records page walks you through the tools the county offers for finding criminal court records and other public data.

That page links to the ePortal and explains what types of records you can search in Henry County. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, all criminal court records in Georgia are public unless a specific exemption applies. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The clerk must respond within three business days. Copy fees are $0.10 per page, and the first 15 minutes of search time are free under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71. These rules apply to every county in the state, including Henry County.

To search for a criminal record, you will need:

• Full name of the person
• Date of birth if you have it
• Case number for a direct lookup
• Type of case (felony, misdemeanor, or traffic)

The second way to search is in person. Go to One Courthouse Square in McDonough. Bring a valid ID. Staff at the clerk window can pull criminal case files and make copies for you. The in-person route is useful when you need certified copies or when the online system does not show the full file. Some older Henry County criminal records may not be digitized yet, so a trip to the courthouse could turn up records the website does not have.

Henry County Public Records Access

Beyond the court search portal, Henry County offers a public records page with details on how to get criminal case documents and other government files. This page explains the difference between informal lookups and formal open records requests. For most criminal court records, a quick search on the ePortal is enough. But if you need a full case file with all attached documents, you may need to submit a formal request through the county.

The Henry County Courts public records page has info on how to get criminal court records and other court documents from Henry County.

This page covers request forms, processing times, and what to expect when you ask for criminal records in Henry County. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 lists specific exemptions where records can be withheld. Pending criminal investigations are one example. Confidential informant details are another. But once a case is closed, the records are open. Henry County follows these same rules.

Note: Some records may take longer to process if the clerk needs to pull files from storage or redact protected information.

Henry County Open Records Requests

Henry County uses a formal open records request system for people who need documents that are not available through the basic search tools. The Henry County Open Record Requests page explains the process and links to the submission portal.

From there, you can start a new request or check on one you already filed. The county uses the NextRequest platform to manage these submissions. This system tracks your request from start to finish. You get updates by email. Staff can attach documents to your request so you can download them without a trip to the courthouse. For criminal court records that are not in the online search system, this is often the best path. The agency must respond within three business days under Georgia law. Fees depend on how much time staff spend on your request and how many pages you need copied.

The Henry County NextRequest FAQ page answers common questions about how the open records request portal works.

This FAQ covers account setup, how to track your request, and what types of documents you can ask for through the portal. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, certain criminal records in Georgia can be restricted from public view. This used to be called expungement. It applies to arrests that did not lead to a conviction, certain misdemeanor convictions after a four-year wait, and cases on a dead docket for more than 12 months. Henry County residents can start the restriction process through the District Attorney's office for arrests that happened on or after July 1, 2013. Individuals are limited to two record restrictions for misdemeanor convictions in their lifetime.

Criminal Record Resources for Henry County

Several state-level tools can help you find criminal court records tied to Henry County cases. The E-Access to Court Records portal connects you to case data from counties across Georgia. You need an account to search. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority indexes filings from all 159 counties. While GSCCCA focuses on real estate and lien records, it can point you to the right clerk for criminal case files. A regular account is $14.95 per month. Premium access runs $29.95 per month.

For your own criminal history, visit the Henry County Sheriff's Office or a local police department. Ask for a "Purpose Code U" report. This is the standard way to get your Georgia criminal history for personal use. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, the Georgia Crime Information Center can share criminal history data with attorneys who submit a written request with case details and subject identification info. Defense lawyers in Henry County use this route when they prep for trial. The GBI Criminal History Records Helpline at (404) 244-2639 option 3 can also answer questions about your record statewide, including cases in Henry County.

Note: The GBI Open Records Unit no longer accepts requests by email, so use their online portal or mail your request.

Cities in Henry County

Henry County sits south of Atlanta in the metro area. All criminal cases filed in these cities go through the Henry County Superior Court or State Court system. The courthouse in McDonough is the main hub for felony cases, and the State Court handles misdemeanors and traffic matters at the Judicial Center.

Other cities and towns in Henry County include Hampton, Locust Grove, and Ellenwood. Criminal cases from those areas are handled by the Henry County court system as well.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Henry County. If you are not sure which county handles a criminal case, check the address where the arrest took place. Criminal cases must be filed in the county where the alleged crime occurred.