Manteo Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Manteo, North Carolina?
Arrest records are public in Manteo, 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." The North Carolina Public Records Law establishes that these records are the property of the people and shall be accessible to the public for inspection and examination. This accessibility supports governmental transparency and accountability, enabling citizens to monitor law enforcement activities within their communities. Exceptions to public disclosure exist for certain records sealed by court order or those pertaining to ongoing investigations.
How to Look Up Manteo Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking arrest records in Manteo. Requestors may utilize any of the following methods to obtain this information:
Dare County Sheriff's Office: The primary law enforcement agency serving Manteo maintains arrest records for the jurisdiction. Individuals may submit requests in person during regular business hours.
Dare County Sheriff's Office
401 Budleigh Street
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 475-5980
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PMDare County Clerk of Superior Court: The clerk's office maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings. Records may be requested by case number or defendant name.
Dare County Courthouse
962 Marshall C. Collins Drive
Manteo, NC 27954
(252) 475-9100
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PMNorth Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts: The state's centralized court system provides access to criminal records through its online portal. Users may search by name and other identifiers to locate arrest information.
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation: The SBI maintains the state's criminal history repository and can provide official criminal history information for a fee, as authorized under N.C.G.S. § 114-19.1.
Requestors should note that while basic arrest information is public record, certain documentation may require formal written requests and payment of statutory fees for reproduction costs pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2.
Contents of a Manteo Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Dare County law enforcement agencies typically contain the following information as required by North Carolina Administrative Code Title 12, Chapter 4E:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
- Arresting agency identification and badge number of the arresting officer
- Booking photographs (mugshots) and fingerprint impressions
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and eye/hair color
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Booking number and unique identifiers assigned to the case
- Initial appearance information and bail determination
- Detention status indicating whether the individual was released or remanded to custody
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-502, law enforcement agencies are required to photograph and fingerprint individuals charged with felonies or certain misdemeanors. These records become part of the official arrest documentation and are transmitted to state and federal criminal justice information systems as mandated by statute.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Manteo
North Carolina law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 through § 15A-152. Expungement procedures in Manteo follow these statutory provisions:
Eligibility criteria for expungement generally include:
- Dismissal of charges or findings of not guilty
- First-time nonviolent offenses after prescribed waiting periods
- Successful completion of drug treatment court programs
- Juvenile records upon reaching age of majority
- Charges resulting from identity theft or mistaken identity
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a petition for expungement with the Dare County Clerk of Superior Court
- Pay the statutory filing fee of $175 as established by N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5(f)
- Obtain and submit an affidavit certifying good moral character
- Provide verification of no outstanding warrants or pending criminal cases
- Submit to fingerprinting and criminal background check
Upon judicial approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all state and local agencies to expunge their records. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-152, agencies must remove all public-facing records and respond to inquiries as if the arrest never occurred. However, expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and the courts for limited purposes under sealed conditions.
The Administrative Office of the Courts maintains a confidential file of expungement orders to ensure compliance with statutory limitations on subsequent expungements. Individuals may be limited in the number of expungements permitted during their lifetime depending on the category of offense.
Search Arrest Records in Manteo
