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Fayetteville Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Fayetteville, North Carolina?

Arrest records are public documents in Fayetteville, 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." The North Carolina Public Records Law ensures transparency in government operations and provides citizens with access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities.

Members of the public may access arrest records through various official channels, including the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and the Fayetteville Police Department. These records serve multiple public interest functions, including:

Promoting accountability in law enforcement operations
Enabling community awareness of criminal activity
Supporting public safety through information dissemination
Facilitating background checks for employment and housing purposes
Ensuring transparency in the criminal justice system

How to Look Up Fayetteville Arrest Records in 2025

The Cumberland County and Fayetteville municipal authorities maintain several official channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6, public agencies must provide access to public records at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision.

Individuals seeking arrest records in Fayetteville may utilize the following methods:

In-person requests at the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office or Fayetteville Police Department
Electronic access through official government portals and eCourts Services
Written requests submitted to the records custodian of the appropriate agency
Utilization of third-party background check services that aggregate public records

Cumberland County Sheriff's Office
131 Dick Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone: (910) 323-1500
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office

Fayetteville Police Department
467 Hay Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone: (910) 433-1885
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fayetteville Police Department

Cumberland County Courthouse
117 Dick Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone: (910) 475-3000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Cumberland County Courts

Contents of a Fayetteville Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Fayetteville law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances of an arrest and the individual taken into custody. These records are created pursuant to North Carolina Administrative Code Title 12, Chapter 4E, which establishes standards for law enforcement record-keeping.

Standard information contained in Fayetteville arrest records includes:

Biographical data of the arrested individual (full legal name, date of birth, physical description, address)
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Criminal charges filed, including North Carolina General Statute citations
Arresting officer information and agency identification
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint records and other biometric identifiers
Custody status and bail/bond information
Case disposition information, when available
Court docket numbers for associated criminal proceedings

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1.4, which provides exemptions for specific categories of law enforcement records that may compromise ongoing investigations or violate privacy protections established by state or federal law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Fayetteville

Under North Carolina law, eligible individuals may petition for the expungement (also referred to as expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. The expungement process is governed by North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-145 through § 15A-152, which establish eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Expungement effectively seals arrest records from public view, though certain government agencies may retain limited access for law enforcement purposes. The following conditions may qualify an individual for expungement in Fayetteville:

Charges that were dismissed or resulted in a finding of not guilty
First-time nonviolent offenses committed by individuals under age 18 or 21 (depending on offense type)
Certain nonviolent felonies or misdemeanors after prescribed waiting periods
Arrests resulting from identity theft or mistaken identity
Certain drug offenses committed by first-time offenders

The expungement petition must be filed with the Cumberland County Clerk of Superior Court and requires:

Completion of form AOC-CR-280 (Petition for Expunction)
Payment of filing fees (currently $175 for most petitions)
Affidavits certifying eligibility and good character
Criminal background check from the Administrative Office of the Courts
Notification to the District Attorney's Office

Individuals seeking expungement may benefit from legal consultation, as the process involves complex statutory requirements and procedural steps. The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts provides standardized forms for expungement petitions through the Court System Records Request portal.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Fayetteville, certain statutory limitations restrict access to specific categories of information. North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1.4 exempts certain law enforcement records from public disclosure, including:

Information that would reveal confidential informants
Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
Juvenile arrest records (governed by N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000)
Records sealed by court order or expungement
Information that would compromise officer safety
Records containing confidential witness information

Additionally, federal regulations including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) may restrict the disclosure of medical information contained within arrest records. Law enforcement agencies in Fayetteville are required to redact protected information prior to releasing arrest records to the public.

Individuals who believe their arrest records contain inaccurate information may file a correction request with the originating agency. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-502(e), law enforcement agencies must establish procedures for correcting erroneous information in criminal history records.