>Carteret County Arrest Records Online

Carteret County, North Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Carteret County, North Carolina?

Arrest records are public in Carteret County, North Carolina, pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. § 132-1). This statute establishes that records created or received by government agencies in the course of conducting public business are the property of the people. The law specifically includes records of arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Carteret County as public information. Members of the public may access these records without stating a reason or purpose for their request, though certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with statutory exemptions.

The Carteret County Sheriff's Office maintains most arrest records for the county and makes these available through various methods. Arrest records document official law enforcement actions and serve as an important component of the criminal justice system's transparency requirements.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Carteret County?

Arrest records can be found online in Carteret County through several official digital platforms. The Carteret County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate search function that allows members of the public to access current detention information. This service includes basic arrest data for individuals currently held at the Carteret County Detention Center.

For more comprehensive arrest record searches, the North Carolina Judicial Branch offers electronic access through its court information systems. The North Carolina Court System maintains electronic records that include arrest information connected to court cases. These records can be searched by name, case number, or other identifiers.

Digital access to arrest records is subject to the same legal provisions and restrictions as physical records. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4, certain investigative information may be withheld from public disclosure. Additionally, records that have been ordered expunged by a court will not appear in online databases.

How to Look Up Carteret County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods are available for accessing Carteret County arrest records. Individuals seeking this information may utilize the following official channels:

Visit the Carteret County Sheriff's Office Records Division in person to request arrest records: Carteret County Sheriff's Office 304 Craven Street Beaufort, NC 28516 (252) 728-8400 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Submit a public records request through the Carteret County government website for arrest reports, incident reports, and booking information.
Access the Carteret County Detention Center inmate database for current detention information.
Visit the Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court for arrest records connected to court cases: Carteret County Courthouse 300 Courthouse Square Beaufort, NC 28516 (252) 504-4800 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Request a criminal background check through the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, which includes arrest information.

Fees for obtaining arrest records vary based on the type of record requested and the method of delivery. Standard fees include $5.00 for the first three pages of a report and $0.25 for each additional page. Certified copies may incur additional charges as established by N.C.G.S. § 7A-308.

Contents of a Carteret County Arrest Record

Carteret County arrest records contain standardized information documenting the circumstances and details of an individual's arrest. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Booking number and processing information
Charges filed, including statute numbers and offense descriptions
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency (e.g., Carteret County Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments)
Physical description of the arrested individual, including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Date of birth and demographic information
Residence address at time of arrest
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint information
Custody status and bail/bond information
Court case number (if assigned)

The Professional Standards Division of the Carteret County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with North Carolina law. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-502, law enforcement agencies are required to fingerprint and photograph individuals charged with certain offenses, and these records become part of the arrest documentation.

It should be noted that arrest records document allegations only and do not constitute proof of guilt. Under North Carolina law, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Carteret County

Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records and related documentation are removed from public access and official databases. In Carteret County, expungement procedures are governed by North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 15A, Article 5.

Eligibility for expungement of arrest records in Carteret County varies based on several factors:

Charges that were dismissed or resulted in not guilty verdicts may be eligible for expungement under N.C.G.S. § 15A-146
First-time nonviolent offenses may qualify for expungement after waiting periods ranging from 5-10 years under N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5
Certain juvenile records may be eligible under N.C.G.S. § 7B-3200
Arrests resulting from identity theft may be expunged under N.C.G.S. § 15A-147
Certain drug offenses committed before age 22 may qualify under N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.2

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court. Petitioners must complete the appropriate forms, which vary depending on the type of expungement sought. The current filing fee is $175, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners.

After filing, the petition is reviewed by a district attorney, the State Bureau of Investigation, and ultimately a judge. If granted, the expungement order directs all agencies to destroy or seal records related to the arrest. Once expunged, individuals may legally deny the arrest occurred in most circumstances.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides detailed guidance on the expungement process, including required forms and procedures specific to different types of cases.

Search Arrest Records in Carteret County

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