Emerald Isle Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Emerald Isle, North Carolina?
Arrest records are public documents in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, 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." This statutory framework ensures that records of arrests made by law enforcement agencies operating within Emerald Isle are accessible to members of the public. The underlying principle of this accessibility is to maintain governmental transparency and ensure accountability within the criminal justice system.
The North Carolina Public Records Law further stipulates that these records shall be "the property of the people" and that the custodian of public records "shall permit any person to examine such records at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision." This legal mandate applies to arrest records maintained by the Emerald Isle Police Department and other law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction in the area.
How to Look Up Emerald Isle Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Emerald Isle have multiple avenues available for accessing this information. As of 2025, the following methods are authorized for obtaining arrest record information:
Online Database Access: The Carteret County Sheriff's Office maintains an inmate search database that provides current information about individuals in custody. This resource allows searches by name and booking number.
Emerald Isle Police Department: Citizens may request arrest records directly from the law enforcement agency that conducted the arrest. Valid identification must be presented, and applicable fees may apply.
Emerald Isle Police Department
7500 Emerald Drive
Emerald Isle, NC 28594
(252) 354-2021
Emerald Isle Police DepartmentCarteret County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests conducted within its jurisdiction, which includes Emerald Isle.
Carteret County Sheriff's Office
304 Craven Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-8400
Carteret County Sheriff's OfficeCarteret County Courthouse: The Clerk of Superior Court maintains criminal case records that originate from arrests in the county.
Carteret County Courthouse
300 Courthouse Square
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 504-4400
Carteret County Courthouse
Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6.2, agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public records, limited to the actual cost of reproduction. Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information such as the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate the search process.
Contents of a Emerald Isle Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Emerald Isle typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by North Carolina Administrative Code Title 12, Chapter 4:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and any identifying marks such as tattoos or scars.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency conducting the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including North Carolina General Statute references and classification of offenses (misdemeanor or felony).
Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprint identification number, and photographic identification (mugshot) taken during the booking process.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case, including whether the individual was released on bail, the bail amount, and court appearance dates if applicable.
Warrant Information: Details of any arrest warrants or other legal documents authorizing the arrest, including warrant numbers and issuing judicial officials.
The North Carolina Department of Justice maintains standards for the collection and maintenance of this information pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 114-10.1, which establishes requirements for criminal history record information.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Emerald Isle
Under North Carolina law, specifically N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 through § 15A-146, certain individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records maintained in Emerald Isle and throughout the state. Expungement is a legal process that removes arrests and, in some cases, convictions from public record. The following criteria generally apply to expungement eligibility:
- Charges that were dismissed or resulted in findings of not guilty
- First-time nonviolent offenses after specified waiting periods
- Certain misdemeanor convictions committed before age 18 or 21, depending on the offense
- Certain drug offenses for first-time offenders
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Carteret County Courthouse where the case was adjudicated. Petitioners must use forms prescribed by the Administrative Office of the Courts and pay applicable filing fees, which may be waived upon a showing of indigency pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5(e).
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing and notify the district attorney's office, which has the right to present evidence opposing the expungement. If granted, an order of expungement directs all state and local government agencies to expunge their records of the arrest and any related court proceedings.
It should be noted that pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-151, certain government agencies, including law enforcement and prosecutors, may still access expunged records for specific purposes, such as determining eligibility for future expungements or for employment with criminal justice agencies.
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