Cooleemee Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Cooleemee, North Carolina?
Arrest records are public documents in Cooleemee, North Carolina, pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. § 132-1). This statute establishes that records created or received by public agencies in North Carolina, including those generated by law enforcement entities, constitute public records and are therefore subject to public inspection. The law specifically 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 Cooleemee Police Department, as a public agency, is required to maintain and provide access to arrest records in accordance with this legislation. These records document official actions taken by law enforcement personnel and are considered part of the public record unless specifically exempted by statute. Members of the public seeking information about arrests in Cooleemee may access these records through established procedures outlined by local authorities in compliance with state regulations.
How to Look Up Cooleemee Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Cooleemee. Each method provides varying levels of detail and convenience depending on the specific information sought. The following options are available to individuals seeking arrest record information:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Cooleemee Police Department located at 8 Marginal Street, Cooleemee, NC 27014. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should be prepared to complete a standard records request form and provide identification.
The Davie County Sheriff's Office maintains county-wide arrest records and can be contacted at 140 South Main Street, Mocksville, NC 27028. Their records division operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and can be reached at (336) 751-6238.
The Davie County Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings. Their office is located at 140 South Main Street, Mocksville, NC 27028, with public counter hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Public records requests may be submitted through the Davie County government website, which provides a centralized system for requesting various public records, including those related to arrests in Cooleemee.
The Town of Cooleemee website provides information about local government services, including links to public safety resources and records request procedures.
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6, public agencies must provide access to records "at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision." Agencies may charge fees for copying records, but these fees must reflect only the actual cost of reproduction.
Contents of a Cooleemee Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Cooleemee Police Department and Davie County law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as prescribed by North Carolina law enforcement protocols. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and generally include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
- Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
- Fingerprint records collected during the booking process
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Agency case number and incident report reference
- Custody status information, including bail amount if applicable
- Preliminary court appearance information
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and the arresting agency's specific documentation protocols. All arrest records are maintained in accordance with the Town of Cooleemee Code of Ordinances and applicable state regulations governing records retention.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Cooleemee
North Carolina law provides mechanisms through which certain arrest records may be expunged from public access under specific circumstances. Expungement (also referred to as expunction) is the legal process by which arrest records and related documentation are removed from public view and, in some cases, physically destroyed. The authority for expungement is established under Article 5 of Chapter 15A of the North Carolina General Statutes.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Cooleemee and throughout North Carolina include:
- Cases resulting in dismissal or finding of not guilty
- First-time nonviolent offenses after specified waiting periods
- Certain misdemeanor convictions committed before age 18 or 21, depending on the offense
- Certain drug offenses committed before age 22
- Identity theft victims whose names were used by another person arrested or convicted of a crime
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a petition for expungement with the Davie County Clerk of Superior Court at 140 South Main Street, Mocksville, NC 27028
- Pay applicable filing fees (currently $175 for most petitions)
- Obtain and submit a complete criminal record check from the State Bureau of Investigation
- Provide affidavits certifying eligibility under the relevant statutory provisions
- Attend any scheduled court hearings regarding the petition
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all agencies maintaining records of the arrest to remove such records from public access. These agencies include the Cooleemee Police Department, Davie County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-151, expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the courts for limited purposes, including consideration in subsequent expungement petitions and certain employment applications for positions in the criminal justice system.
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