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Rocky Mount Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Rocky Mount, North Carolina?

Arrest records are public documents in Rocky Mount, 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 the course of conducting public business are the property of the people. The Rocky Mount Police Department, as a public law enforcement agency, maintains arrest records that fall under this classification. These records are accessible to any person upon request, regardless of the purpose or motivation behind such request, unless specifically exempted by statute.

The North Carolina Public Records Law serves multiple governmental functions:

• Ensuring transparency in governmental operations • Facilitating public oversight of law enforcement activities • Maintaining accountability of public officials • Providing citizens with information about criminal activity in their communities

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or withheld if they contain information protected by privacy laws or if their release would compromise an ongoing investigation, as provided under N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4.

How to Look Up Rocky Mount Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Rocky Mount have several methods available through the Rocky Mount Police Department and court systems. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access to these documents:

Online Access Options

The Rocky Mount Police Department maintains digital records accessible through:

• The Records Request portal on the official city website • North Carolina Court System's public access terminals • Third-party background check services (fees may apply)

In-Person Requests

Individuals may obtain arrest records by visiting:

Rocky Mount Police Department
330 South Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Phone: (252) 972-1411
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Official Website

Nash County Courthouse
234 West Washington Street
Nashville, NC 27856
Phone: (252) 459-4121
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Official Website

Edgecombe County Courthouse - Rocky Mount Judicial Center
215 East Thomas Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27801
Phone: (252) 977-3700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Official Website

Written Requests

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via:

• Mail: Send a detailed request including the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to the Rocky Mount Police Department Records Division • Email: Submit requests through the department's designated records email address • Fax: Send completed request forms to the Records Division at (252) 972-1371

All requests must be accompanied by proper identification and any applicable fees as established by N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for copying and special services.

Contents of a Rocky Mount Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Rocky Mount Police Department and the Criminal Investigations Division typically contain standardized information as required by North Carolina law. These documents serve as official accounts of law enforcement actions and typically include:

Biographical Information

• Full legal name of the arrested individual • Date of birth and age at time of arrest • Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks) • Residential address • Gender and race identifiers

Arrest Details

• Date, time, and specific location of the arrest • Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) • Agency responsible for the arrest • Statutory authority under which the arrest was made • Whether force was used during the arrest

Criminal Charges

• Specific charges filed (including statute numbers) • Classification of offense (misdemeanor or felony) • Preliminary court appearance information • Bond or bail amount set • Case disposition if available

Documentation

• Booking photograph ("mugshot") • Fingerprint records • Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest • Medical screening information • Miranda rights acknowledgment

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 permanent arrest record maintained by both local and state authorities.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Rocky Mount

North Carolina law provides mechanisms for the expungement (also called expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest 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

Individuals may qualify for expungement of Rocky Mount arrest records under the following circumstances:

• Charges were dismissed or the individual was found not guilty • Completion of a first-time offender program for certain non-violent offenses • Conviction for certain misdemeanors or felonies after specified waiting periods • Arrests resulting from identity theft or mistaken identity • Juvenile records upon reaching age 18 for certain offenses

Application Process

The expungement procedure requires:

• Filing a petition with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the arrest occurred • Payment of filing fees (currently $175 as established by statute) • Obtaining and submitting an affidavit of good character • Securing certified copies of court records related to the case • Submitting to fingerprinting for verification purposes

Nash County Clerk of Superior Court
234 West Washington Street
Nashville, NC 27856
Phone: (252) 459-4121
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Official Website

Edgecombe County Clerk of Superior Court
301 Saint Andrew Street
Tarboro, NC 27886
Phone: (252) 824-3200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Official Website

Legal Effects of Expungement

Upon successful expungement:

• The arrest record is removed from public access • The individual may legally deny the arrest occurred in most circumstances • Law enforcement agencies must delete or seal the records as directed by court order • The Administrative Office of the Courts must delete all computer entries related to the expunged record

Certain government agencies, primarily law enforcement and the court system, may retain access to expunged records for limited purposes as specified in N.C.G.S. § 15A-151.