North Carolina Public Records /Find North Carolina Criminal Records

Find North Carolina Criminal Records

Are Criminal Records Public in North Carolina?

Yes, North Carolina’s Freedom of Information Law allows the public to inspect and examine government-generated records at reasonable times. To access these records, requesters must typically provide the subject's name and last known location, including cities, counties, and states. These records are maintained by various courts and law enforcement agencies across the state and are accessible online or through in-person requests for a nominal fee.

Criminal records in North Carolina are available through both government-maintained databases and third-party aggregate sites. While third-party websites may offer easier search capabilities, they are not government-sponsored, and the availability of records can vary. Certified copies of criminal records can be obtained in person or by mail from the North Carolina Court System.

What Constitutes a Criminal Record in North Carolina?

North Carolina criminal records are official documents detailing criminal activities within the state's jurisdiction. These records are compiled by local and state law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities. They include information on felonies and misdemeanors, as well as arrest, indictment, and conviction details.

What Information Is Included in North Carolina Criminal Record?

Full name of the subject, including known aliases
Date of birth, gender, race, and other identifying personal data
Fingerprints and mugshot
History of criminal offenses and indictments
Past and outstanding warrants and arrest history
Conviction records

How To Check Criminal Records in North Carolina

The North Carolina Court System allows the public to request a certified criminal record search by name through their local county superior court’s clerk of courts. Interested persons must complete and print Form AOC-CR-314, attach the $25 fee, and submit it to the clerk’s office in person or by mail.

For a free public criminal record check, individuals may use the public access computers at the clerk's office at their county superior court. This search provides on-demand court records, though they are not certified and printing fees may apply. Additionally, the NC Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) offers records through third-party vendors, which may charge a fee.

Are Arrest Records Public in North Carolina?

Yes, arrest records in North Carolina are public information. These records are maintained by the North Carolina Court System and can be obtained in person or by mail. Interested individuals may also visit their local police station or sheriff’s office to request public arrest records, though an administrative charge may apply.

To obtain free arrest records, requesters can use the public access computers at the clerk's office at their local county superior court. This search will provide arrest records within the court’s database.

What Are Arrest Warrants in North Carolina?

An arrest warrant in North Carolina is an official court document instructing a law enforcement officer to detain an individual within the state’s jurisdiction. Judges issue arrest warrants based on probable cause demonstrated by law enforcement officers. These warrants authorize officers to arrest individuals accused of crimes, regardless of their guilt.

A North Carolina arrest warrant includes:

Full name and identifying information of the subject
Description of the alleged offense
Location and time of the arrest
Expiry date, if applicable
Name of the warrant issuer and date of issue

How To Lookup Mugshots in North Carolina

Mugshots are photographs taken during an individual's arrest and are part of their criminal record. In North Carolina, mugshots are publicly available and stored in databases maintained by the Department of Justice and local law enforcement agencies. To find mugshots, individuals can query these databases or visit local police departments.

How To Search Inmate Records in North Carolina

Inmate records in North Carolina are publicly available and provide details of individuals incarcerated in local jails and state prisons. These records are maintained by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NC DPS) and local law enforcement agencies. The NC DPS provides an inmate locator tool on its website for state prison searches, while local jails maintain their own records.

How To Find North Carolina Criminal History Record for Free

Criminal records in North Carolina detail an individual's criminal activities within the state. These records are publicly available and stored by various law enforcement agencies and courts. To find these records for free:

Use public access computers at the local county clerk's office.
Request to view records from local law enforcement agencies.

If copies are required, there may be a fee to cover the cost.

Are Juvenile Criminal Records Publicly Available in North Carolina?

Juvenile criminal records in North Carolina are confidential and not publicly available. These records detail criminal activities committed by minors and are only accessible to parties involved in the case and their attorneys without a court order. Juvenile records remain unless formally expunged through a petition.

How To Find Sex Offenders in North Carolina

Sex offender records in North Carolina are publicly available and maintained in a statewide registry by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. These records list registered sex offenders and can be searched online by name, address, zip code, and other criteria. County sheriffs also maintain local sex offender listings.

Are Police Records Public Information in North Carolina?

Police records in North Carolina are public information under the state's public records law. These records include incident reports, arrest records, and court dispositions but may exclude confidential materials. They are stored by local law enforcement agencies and can be requested through various means.

Police records typically contain:

Incident reports
Arrest records
Court dispositions

North Carolina Misdemeanor Laws: Types of Offenses and Punishments

Misdemeanors in North Carolina are minor offenses punishable by up to 150 days of jail time or other community punishments. The state categorizes misdemeanors into four classes: A1, 1, 2, and 3, with Class A1 being the most serious and Class 3 the least serious.

North Carolina Criminal Laws: Offenses and Penalties Explained

Felony laws in North Carolina address more serious crimes and usually result in prison sentences. The state categorizes felonies into ten classes, from Class A to Class I, with Class A being the most severe.

Class A: Death or life without parole (e.g., first-degree murder)
Class B1: 144 months to life without parole (e.g., second-degree murder)
Class B2: Up to 484 months (e.g., second-degree murder)
Class C: Up to 231 months (e.g., first-degree kidnapping)
Class D: Up to 204 months (e.g., voluntary manslaughter)
Class E: Up to 88 months (e.g., second-degree kidnapping)
Class F: Up to 59 months (e.g., involuntary manslaughter)
Class G: Up to 47 months (e.g., identity theft)
Class H: Up to 39 months (e.g., possession of stolen goods)
Class I: Up to 24 months (e.g., possession of cocaine)

Overview of North Carolina DUI Laws

Driving while impaired (DWI) in North Carolina is a serious offense. Individuals can be arrested and charged if found operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. Penalties vary based on the severity of the offense and can include fines, imprisonment, and license suspension.

Are North Carolina Probation Records Public?

Probation records in North Carolina are official documents detailing the conditions and terms of an individual's probation. These records are generally public and provide information about individuals serving their sentences outside of correctional facilities. Supervised probation requires regular reporting to a probation officer, while unsupervised probation does not have such restrictions.

Search Criminal Records in North Carolina

Other Categories in North Carolina

Court Records Criminal Records Inmate Records Vital Records