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Hickory Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Hickory, North Carolina?

Arrest records in Hickory, North Carolina are considered public information 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." Law enforcement agencies in Hickory maintain these records as part of their official duties, making them accessible to members of the public under the state's public records law.

The North Carolina Public Records Act establishes that these records must be made available for inspection and examination by any person, with certain statutory exceptions. This transparency requirement applies to arrest records generated by the Hickory Police Department and the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. The public accessibility of these records serves multiple governmental interests, including promoting accountability in law enforcement operations, informing community members about public safety matters, and ensuring proper documentation of police interactions with citizens.

How to Access Hickory Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Hickory have several official channels through which these documents may be obtained. The Catawba County Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive records of arrests within their jurisdiction, including those occurring within Hickory city limits.

Individuals may request arrest records through the following methods:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Division of the Catawba County Sheriff's Office or the Hickory Police Department during regular business hours to submit a request for arrest records. Proper identification must be presented, and applicable fees may apply.

Catawba County Sheriff's Office
100 Government Drive
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 464-5241
Catawba County Sheriff's Office Reports Division

Hickory Police Department
347 2nd Avenue SW
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 328-5551

Online Access: The Catawba County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database called "Who's In Jail" that provides current information about individuals currently detained in county facilities. This resource is updated regularly and includes basic arrest information.
Written Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the appropriate agency by mail. Requests must include specific information about the record being sought, including the full name of the arrested individual, date of birth if known, and approximate date of arrest.
Court Records: For cases that have proceeded to court, arrest information may be obtained through the Catawba County Clerk of Court's office, which maintains records of all criminal proceedings within the county.

Catawba County Clerk of Court
100 Government Drive
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 695-6100
Catawba County Clerk of Court

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 pay applicable fees when seeking physical copies of arrest records.

Contents of a Hickory Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Hickory typically contain standardized information as required by North Carolina law enforcement protocols. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in arrest. Standard arrest records in Hickory contain the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including North Carolina General Statute references
Name and badge number of the arresting officer
Booking information, including fingerprints and booking photographs ("mugshots")
Custody status and bail or bond information
Case disposition information, if available
Arresting agency information

The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts maintains additional court records related to arrests through the Catawba County Courthouse. These records may include information about court appearances, case dispositions, and sentencing information for cases that have proceeded through the judicial system.

Legal Limitations on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Hickory, North Carolina law establishes certain exceptions and limitations to protect privacy interests and ongoing investigations. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1.4, certain law enforcement records may be temporarily withheld if their release would:

Interfere with an active law enforcement investigation
Deprive a person of the right to a fair trial
Constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Disclose confidential informants or investigative techniques
Endanger the life or physical safety of an individual

Additionally, records pertaining to juvenile arrests (individuals under 18 years of age) are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements under North Carolina General Statutes § 7B-3000. These records are not publicly accessible without a court order and are maintained separately from adult arrest records.

Records that have been expunged pursuant to North Carolina's expungement statutes are removed from public access and sealed or destroyed according to court order. Law enforcement agencies and court officials are prohibited from disclosing the existence of expunged records except in limited circumstances prescribed by statute.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Hickory

North Carolina law provides mechanisms for the expungement (also called expunction) of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed. In Hickory, as throughout North Carolina, expungement proceedings are governed by various provisions of North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 15A, Article 5.

Individuals may be eligible for expungement of arrest records in the following circumstances:

Charges were dismissed or the individual was found not guilty (N.C.G.S. § 15A-146)
The individual completed a diversion program resulting in dismissal (N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.3)
The conviction was for certain first-time nonviolent offenses after specified waiting periods (N.C.G.S. § 15A-145)
The arrest was the result of identity theft (N.C.G.S. § 15A-147)
The conviction was for certain offenses committed before age 18 or 22, depending on the offense (N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5)

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Catawba County Clerk of Superior Court. Petitioners must use standardized forms provided by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and pay applicable filing fees, which may be waived for indigent petitioners. The petition is reviewed by a district attorney and a superior court judge, who determines whether the petitioner meets statutory requirements for expungement.

If granted, an expungement order directs all state and local agencies to seal or destroy records relating to the arrest or conviction. Following expungement, the individual may legally deny or refuse to acknowledge the arrest or conviction in most circumstances, with certain exceptions for specific types of employment or licensure applications.