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Conover Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Conover, North Carolina?

Arrest records are public documents in Conover, 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 arrest records maintained by the Conover Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within Catawba County remain accessible to members of the public.

The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental and societal functions:

Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
Facilitates public oversight of governmental activities
Enables citizens to monitor the criminal justice system
Supports the constitutional principle of open courts
Provides necessary information for public safety awareness

How to Look Up Conover Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Conover have multiple methods available to them for conducting searches. The following options represent the official channels through which arrest information may be obtained:

In-Person Requests

The Conover Police Department
321 1st Avenue South
Conover, NC 28613
Phone: (828) 464-4698
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

Individuals may visit the Records Division at the Conover Police Department to request arrest records in person. Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth when available. A government-issued photo identification is required when submitting requests.

County Courthouse Records

Catawba County Clerk of Superior Court
100 Government Drive
Newton, NC 28658
Phone: (828) 695-6100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

The Clerk of Court maintains records of all criminal proceedings within the county, including arrest records. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 7A-109, these records are open to public inspection during regular business hours. Requestors may use public terminals at the courthouse to search for cases by name or case number.

Online Resources

Catawba County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search
Who's In Jail Database

This online portal provides real-time information about individuals currently detained in the Catawba County Detention Center, including those arrested by the Conover Police Department. The database is updated continuously as bookings occur and includes basic arrest information and charges.

North Carolina Judicial Branch
Catawba County Court Information

The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts maintains an online case information system that allows users to search for criminal cases, including those originating from arrests in Conover. This system provides case status, scheduled court dates, and disposition information.

Contents of a Conover Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Conover typically contain standardized information as required by North Carolina law. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-502, the following elements are generally included in official arrest documentation:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency case number and incident report references
Booking photographs (commonly known as mugshots)
Fingerprint impressions collected during processing
Details regarding bail or bond determinations
Custody status information

It should be noted that while basic arrest information is public record, certain sensitive details may be redacted from publicly available versions of these records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information pertaining to confidential informants or ongoing investigations.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

North Carolina's public records law establishes a presumption of openness regarding governmental records, including those documenting arrests. The statutory framework governing access includes:

North Carolina Public Records Act

N.C.G.S. § 132-1 et seq. establishes that public records shall be "the property of the people" and that the public has a right to inspect or obtain copies of such records unless specifically exempted by law. This statute applies to all records created or received by governmental agencies in Conover, including the police department and municipal court.

Criminal Justice Information Systems Regulations

The dissemination of criminal history information is further regulated by N.C.G.S. § 114-10.1, which establishes protocols for the release of such information through the State Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement agencies. These regulations ensure that while arrest records remain public, their distribution follows established procedures.

Federal Regulations

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division imposes additional requirements on the handling of arrest records that have been entered into national databases. Local agencies in Conover must comply with these federal standards when managing arrest information that has been shared with national systems.

Limitations on Access to Certain Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public in Conover, certain categories of records may be subject to restricted access under state and federal law:

Juvenile arrest records (individuals under 18) are confidential pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000
Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4
Records sealed by court order following expungement are removed from public access
Information related to victims of certain offenses (particularly sexual offenses) may be redacted
Records containing information that would compromise the safety of law enforcement personnel

Agencies may require formal written requests for certain types of arrest records and may charge reasonable fees for reproduction costs as permitted under N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Conover

Under North Carolina law, certain individuals may petition for the expungement (also referred to as expunction) of arrest records maintained by agencies in Conover. The expungement process is governed by several statutes, primarily N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 through § 15A-152, which establish eligibility criteria and procedures.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals may qualify for expungement of arrest records under the following circumstances:

Charges were dismissed or resulted in a finding of not guilty
Completion of a deferred prosecution or conditional discharge program
First-time nonviolent offenses after prescribed waiting periods
Certain misdemeanor convictions after waiting periods ranging from 5-15 years
Certain felony convictions after waiting periods of 10-20 years

The specific eligibility requirements vary based on the nature of the offense, the disposition of the case, the age of the petitioner at the time of the offense, and the petitioner's subsequent criminal history.

Application Process

The expungement procedure requires petitioners to:

File a petition with the Clerk of Superior Court in Catawba County
Pay the required filing fee (currently $175 for most petitions)
Obtain and submit an affidavit from two character witnesses
Provide a complete criminal history check from the Administrative Office of the Courts
Serve copies of the petition on the District Attorney's Office

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing to determine whether the petitioner meets the statutory requirements for expungement. If granted, the court will issue an order directing all agencies, including the Conover Police Department, to expunge their records of the arrest.

Effect of Expungement

When an expungement order is issued:

All public records of the arrest are sealed from public view
Law enforcement agencies must delete electronic records and destroy physical records
The individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest in most circumstances
The expunged record remains accessible only to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes