Lexington Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Lexington, North Carolina?
Arrest records in Lexington, North Carolina are public documents accessible to all citizens 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 Davidson County, including the Lexington Police Department, maintain these records as part of their official duties.
The North Carolina Public Records Law establishes that these documents must be made available for inspection by any person upon request, unless specifically exempted by statute. This transparency measure ensures accountability of law enforcement agencies and provides citizens with information about criminal activity in their communities. Members of the public should note that while arrest records are public, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal identifying information as specified under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1.4.
How to Look Up Lexington Arrest Records in 2025
Davidson County residents seeking arrest records in Lexington have multiple methods available to access this information. The primary agencies maintaining these records include:
Lexington Police Department
8 West Center Street
Lexington, NC 27292
Phone: (336) 243-3302
Official Website
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Davidson County Sheriff's Office
110 West Center Street
Lexington, NC 27292
Phone: (336) 242-2105
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Individuals may obtain arrest records through the following methods:
- In-person requests at the Records Division of either the Lexington Police Department or Davidson County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours
- Written requests submitted via postal mail to the appropriate agency, including the requestor's contact information and specific details about the record being sought
- Online access through the Davidson County Court System for cases that have been processed through the judicial system
- Utilization of public access terminals located at the Davidson County Courthouse at 110 West Center Street, Lexington, NC 27292
Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6.2(a), agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of public records, typically ranging from $0.10 to $0.25 per page. Requestors should be prepared to provide identification when requesting records in person and specific information about the arrest, such as the individual's name and approximate date of arrest, to facilitate the search process.
Contents of a Lexington Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Lexington law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by North Carolina Administrative Code Title 12, Chapter 4E. These records typically include:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged criminal violations
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Agency case number and booking identification
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Photographic images (mugshots) taken during the booking process
- Disposition information, including bond amount, court dates, and preliminary hearing outcomes
- Detention facility information if the individual was incarcerated
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary depending on the nature of the offense and the arresting agency's protocols. Records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under age 18) are subject to additional confidentiality protections under North Carolina General Statutes § 7B-3000 and may not be publicly accessible without a court order.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Lexington
North Carolina law provides mechanisms for the expungement (also called expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-145 through § 15A-152, individuals may petition for expungement if their case meets statutory requirements. The expungement process removes arrest records from public access and, in some cases, permits the individual to legally deny the arrest occurred.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Lexington include:
- Charges that were dismissed or resulted in a finding of not guilty
- First-time nonviolent offenses after specified waiting periods
- Certain drug offenses committed before age 22
- Charges resulting from identity theft
- Charges dismissed through completion of a diversion program
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Davidson County Clerk of Superior Court located at:
Davidson County Courthouse
110 West Center Street, Suite 300
Lexington, NC 27292
Phone: (336) 242-6700
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Petitioners must submit standardized forms prescribed by the Administrative Office of the Courts, including Form AOC-CR-280 for most adult expungements. The filing fee is $175 as established by North Carolina General Statutes § 7A-308(a)(17), though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing date, and if granted, will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to expunge their records.
Individuals should be aware that expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies and the court system for limited purposes, though they will no longer be available to the general public or appear in standard background checks.
Search Arrest Records in Lexington
