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Raleigh Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Raleigh, North Carolina?

Arrest records are public in Raleigh, 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." Law enforcement agencies in Raleigh maintain these records as part of their official duties, making them accessible to the public under state law.

The North Carolina Public Records Act establishes that these records must be made available for inspection by any person upon request, unless specifically exempted by statute. This transparency requirement serves to maintain accountability in government operations and provides citizens with the ability to monitor law enforcement activities. Members of the public may request access to arrest records through various channels established by the Raleigh Police Department and Wake County Sheriff's Office.

How to Look Up Raleigh Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Raleigh provides multiple methods for obtaining arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:

Online Portal Access: The Raleigh Police Department maintains a digital records system through which members of the public may request police reports and arrest records. Users must create an account and provide specific information about the record being requested.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Division of the Raleigh Police Department located at:

Raleigh Police Department Records Division
6716 Six Forks Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 996-3335
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division address listed above. All requests must include the requester's name, contact information, and specific details about the arrest record being sought.
Wake County Sheriff's Office: For arrests made by county deputies, records may be obtained from:

Wake County Sheriff's Office Records Division
330 S. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 856-6900
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts: For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may request records through the North Carolina Judicial Branch.

Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2(b), agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public records, limited to the actual cost of reproduction.

Contents of a Raleigh Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Raleigh law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody. Standard arrest records include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and place of birth
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Demographic information including race, gender, and ethnicity
Booking photograph (commonly known as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Specific criminal charges filed, including statute numbers and offense descriptions
Case numbers and court docket information
Custody status information (released on bail, detained, etc.)
Warrant information, if applicable

The Raleigh Police Department maintains these records in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 15A-502, which mandates the collection of identifying information for individuals charged with criminal offenses. While these records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information pursuant to applicable privacy laws.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Raleigh

North Carolina law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest and criminal records are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed. The authority for expungement is established under N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 through § 15A-152.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Raleigh include:

First-time nonviolent offenses after specified waiting periods
Charges that were dismissed or resulted in not guilty verdicts
Arrests that did not lead to conviction
Certain juvenile offenses
Nonviolent felonies and misdemeanors after specified waiting periods (typically 5-10 years)
Certain drug offenses, particularly for first-time offenders under age 22

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

File a petition for expungement with the Clerk of Superior Court in Wake County
Pay the required filing fee (currently $175 for most expungements)
Obtain and submit a certified copy of their criminal record
Provide affidavits certifying good moral character from two unrelated individuals
Submit to a background check conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation

Wake County Clerk of Superior Court
316 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 792-4000
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Upon approval of an expungement petition, all records of the arrest, including those maintained by the Raleigh Police Department, Wake County Sheriff's Office, and North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, must be sealed or destroyed in accordance with the court order. Agencies are prohibited from disclosing the existence of expunged records, and individuals may legally deny the occurrence of expunged arrests or convictions on employment applications and other documents.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Raleigh, certain statutory restrictions limit access to specific types of records. The North Carolina General Assembly has enacted provisions that exempt certain categories of information from public disclosure requirements. These exemptions include:

Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations (N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4)
Juvenile arrest records for individuals under age 18 (N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000)
Records that have been ordered sealed or expunged by a court
Certain domestic violence and sexual assault victim information
Information that would compromise the safety of law enforcement personnel
Records containing confidential informant identities

The City of Raleigh Records Request process includes review procedures to ensure that protected information is not improperly disclosed. Custodians of public records must balance transparency requirements with privacy protections established by state and federal law.

Additionally, the use of arrest record information is regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and state employment laws. Employers, landlords, and other entities that utilize arrest records for background screening purposes must comply with applicable regulations regarding consent, disclosure, and adverse action procedures.