>Brunswick County Arrest Records Online

Brunswick County, North Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Brunswick County, North Carolina?

Yes, arrest records are public in Brunswick County, North Carolina. The accessibility of these records is mandated by the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. § 132-1), which establishes that records created by government agencies are the property of the people. Pursuant to this statute, arrest records maintained by the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the county are considered public information. Members of the public may access these records for various purposes, including background checks, legal proceedings, or personal information gathering.

The North Carolina Public Records Law operates under the presumption that government records should be accessible to citizens to ensure transparency and accountability in governmental operations. However, certain exceptions exist under N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4, which may limit access to specific information in arrest records, particularly when disclosure might compromise ongoing investigations or infringe upon privacy rights protected by state or federal law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Brunswick County?

Yes, arrest records can be found online in Brunswick County through several official channels. The Brunswick County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that provides public access to recent arrest information. Additionally, the North Carolina Judicial Branch offers electronic access to court records, which often include information related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings.

The Brunswick County government has implemented digital systems in compliance with N.C.G.S. § 132-6.1, which encourages public agencies to provide electronic access to public records when feasible. Users may search these databases using various identifiers, including name, date of birth, or case numbers. It should be noted that while basic arrest information is typically available online, comprehensive records may require additional requests through official channels.

Online access to arrest records is subject to the same legal restrictions that apply to physical records. Information protected under privacy laws or related to ongoing investigations may be redacted or unavailable through online portals.

How to Look Up Brunswick County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Brunswick County arrest records, individuals have several methods available through official channels:

Visit the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office in person at 70 Stamp Act Drive, Bolivia, NC 28422. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (910) 253-2777.
Submit a public records request through the Brunswick County government website. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6(a), the county must respond to such requests "as promptly as possible."
Access the North Carolina Court System's online portal for criminal record searches. The system allows searches by name and other identifiers for cases processed through the Brunswick County courts.
Contact the Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court at 310 Government Center Drive, Bolivia, NC 28422. Telephone: (910) 253-3900. The clerk's office maintains court records related to arrests and can provide certified copies for official purposes.
Request a statewide criminal history check through the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) at 3320 Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27626. Telephone: (919) 582-8660. This service requires fingerprint submission and payment of statutory fees.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Fees may apply for certain types of record requests, as authorized under N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2.

Contents of a Brunswick County Arrest Record

A Brunswick County arrest record typically contains comprehensive information about an individual's interaction with law enforcement. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-502, these records generally include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed enumeration of criminal charges, including statute citations and offense classifications
Name and identification of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking information, including processing date and facility
Fingerprint data collected during the booking process
Photographic identification (mugshot) taken at the time of booking
Case disposition information, if available
Bond or bail information, including amount set and conditions
Court appearance dates and locations

It should be noted that pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-502(d), certain juvenile records may be subject to different disclosure rules, and information related to protected victims may be redacted from public versions of arrest records. Additionally, records related to arrests that resulted in dismissals or not guilty verdicts may be eligible for expungement under North Carolina law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Brunswick County

In Brunswick County, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 15A, Article 5. The expungement process effectively seals records from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement and judicial officials for limited purposes.

Eligibility criteria for expungement vary based on several factors:

For charges resulting in dismissals or findings of not guilty, petitions may be filed under N.C.G.S. § 15A-146.
For certain first-time nonviolent offenses, expungement may be available after waiting periods ranging from 5 to 10 years, pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5.
Juvenile records have separate expungement provisions under N.C.G.S. § 7B-3200.
Certain drug offenses, particularly those committed before age 22, have specific expungement provisions under N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.2.

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court at 310 Government Center Drive, Bolivia, NC 28422. Petitioners must submit:

Completed AOC-CR-280 form (Petition for Expungement)
Certified copy of the disposition of the case
Affidavit confirming eligibility requirements
Filing fee (currently $175 for most petitions)
Verification of good moral character (for certain expungement types)

Upon receipt of a complete petition, the clerk forwards the request to the State Bureau of Investigation for a criminal history check. The SBI then reports findings to the Administrative Office of the Courts, which determines eligibility. If approved, the court issues an order directing all agencies to expunge relevant records. The entire process typically takes 3-6 months to complete.