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Concord Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Concord, North Carolina?

Arrest records in Concord, North Carolina are public documents pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1, which defines public records as "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions."

The North Carolina Public Records Law establishes that these records shall be accessible to the public for inspection, examination, and copying. This transparency serves multiple public interests:

Ensures accountability of law enforcement agencies
Provides community awareness of criminal activity
Supports journalistic reporting on matters of public safety
Enables background checks for employment and housing purposes

Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under state law, including:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
Juvenile records (protected under N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000)
Records sealed by court order
Information redacted to protect victims of certain crimes

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Concord should be aware that while the information is generally available, specific elements may be withheld in accordance with privacy protections established by state and federal statutes.

How to Look Up Concord Arrest Records in 2025

The Concord Police Department maintains arrest records for incidents occurring within city jurisdiction. Multiple methods are available for accessing these public records in 2025, each with specific procedures and requirements as outlined below.

In-Person Requests

Citizens may obtain arrest records by visiting the Concord Police Department Records Division in person:

Concord Police Department
41 Cabarrus Avenue West
Concord, NC 28025
Phone: (704) 920-5000
Concord Police Department

The Records Division operates during the following hours:

Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and city-observed holidays

Required documentation for in-person requests includes:

Government-issued photo identification
Completed records request form (available at the counter)
Payment of applicable fees (cash, credit card, or money order)

Online Access Options

The Concord Police Department provides digital access to certain arrest information through their online portal. This system allows for searches by:

Name of arrested individual
Date range of arrest
Case number (if known)
Arrest location

Digital records requests may also be submitted through the Customer Service portal of the Concord Police Department website. Processing times for online requests typically range from 3-5 business days, depending on current departmental workload.

County Court Records

Arrest records may also be accessed through the Cabarrus County Courthouse:

Cabarrus County Courthouse
77 Union Street S
Concord, NC 28025
Phone: (704) 262-5500
Cabarrus County Courts

The North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains court records that include information about arrests and subsequent court proceedings. These records can be searched by case number or defendant name.

Contents of a Concord Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Concord Police Department contain standardized information as required by North Carolina law. These documents serve as official accounts of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Known aliases or nicknames
Date of birth
Gender
Race/ethnicity (as categorized by arresting officer)
Residential address at time of arrest
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)

Arrest Details

Date and time of arrest
Location where arrest occurred
Arresting officer(s) identification
Agency case number
Booking number
Charges filed (including North Carolina General Statute references)
Arrest type (warrant, probable cause, etc.)

Case Processing Information

Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint records
Property inventory
Initial appearance information
Bond amount and type
Court dates
Disposition of charges

Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-502, law enforcement agencies are required to photograph and fingerprint individuals charged with felonies or certain misdemeanors. These records become part of the official arrest documentation and may be included in public records unless specifically exempted by statute.

Legal Uses of Arrest Records in Concord

Arrest records serve multiple legitimate purposes within the criminal justice system and broader society. The following constitutes authorized uses of arrest information obtained from Concord authorities:

Law Enforcement Purposes

Arrest records provide essential information for:

Criminal investigations by authorized agencies
Prosecution of criminal cases
Sentencing considerations by the judiciary
Supervision of probationers and parolees
Risk assessment for pretrial release decisions

The Concord Police Department utilizes arrest history information in accordance with departmental policies and state regulations governing information sharing between law enforcement agencies.

Background Screening

North Carolina General Statutes permit the use of arrest records for certain background screening purposes:

Employment screening for positions involving public safety
Licensing determinations for regulated professions
Housing applications (subject to Fair Housing regulations)
Volunteer screening for organizations serving vulnerable populations

Employers and organizations conducting background checks must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) when utilizing arrest information for decision-making purposes.

Public Safety Notifications

Certain arrest information may be disseminated to protect public safety:

Sex offender registry notifications pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 14-208.5
Community notifications regarding specific public safety threats
Victim notification systems as required by state law

The Concord Police Department maintains compliance with the North Carolina Sex Offender and Public Protection Registration Program, which requires registration of individuals convicted of certain offenses.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Concord

Under North Carolina law, eligible individuals may petition for expungement (also called expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement effectively removes arrest information from public access and, in some cases, from law enforcement databases.

Eligibility Criteria

Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 through § 15A-146, expungement eligibility generally includes:

Charges that were dismissed or resulted in not guilty verdicts
First-time nonviolent offenses after prescribed waiting periods
Certain juvenile offenses
Charges resulting from identity theft
Certain drug offenses for first-time offenders under age 22

The waiting period for expungement varies based on the offense type:

Dismissals or not guilty verdicts: Eligible immediately
Nonviolent misdemeanors: 5-year waiting period
Nonviolent felonies: 10-year waiting period

Application Process

The expungement process in Cabarrus County requires:

Filing a petition with the Cabarrus County Clerk of Superior Court
Payment of filing fees (currently $175, with potential fee waivers available)
Obtaining an affidavit from the petitioner
Securing affidavits from two character witnesses
Submitting to fingerprinting for verification purposes
Attending a hearing if scheduled by the court

Petitioners may access expungement forms through the North Carolina Judicial Branch website or in person at the Cabarrus County Courthouse.

Effects of Expungement

When an expungement is granted by the court:

Public arrest records are removed from databases
The individual may legally deny the arrest occurred in most circumstances
Records are sealed from public view
Certain government agencies may retain non-public records

Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors may still access expunged records for limited purposes, including subsequent prosecutions and sentencing considerations.