Greensboro Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Greensboro, North Carolina?
Arrest records in Greensboro, North Carolina are public documents accessible to all citizens 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 pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be available for public inspection. The North Carolina General Assembly has determined that public records and information compiled by agencies of government are the property of the people. Therefore, it is the policy of the state that the people may obtain copies of their public records unless otherwise specifically provided by law.
The Greensboro Police Department and the Guilford County Sheriff's Office maintain arrest records as part of their official duties. These records document the actions of law enforcement personnel and provide accountability to the public. Under N.C.G.S. § 132-6, every custodian of public records shall permit any record in the custodian's custody to be inspected and examined at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision by any person.
Guilford County Sheriff's Office
400 W. Washington Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 641-3694
Guilford County Sheriff's Office
How to Look Up Greensboro Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for members of the public to access arrest records in Greensboro, North Carolina. The following options are available to individuals seeking information about arrests:
Online Portal Access: The Guilford County Sheriff's Office maintains a Police to Citizen (P2C) portal where arrest records can be searched by name, date, or case number. This service is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Division of the Greensboro Police Department to request arrest records. Proper identification must be presented, and applicable fees will apply.
Written Requests: Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2, written requests for copies of arrest records may be submitted to the appropriate agency. Agencies must respond to such requests "as promptly as possible."
Courthouse Records: The Guilford County Courthouse maintains criminal case records that include arrest information. These records may be accessed through the Clerk of Superior Court's office.
Greensboro Police Department
100 Police Plaza
Greensboro, NC 27402
Phone: (336) 373-2287
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website: www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/police
Guilford County Courthouse
201 S. Eugene Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 412-7300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website: www.nccourts.gov/locations/guilford-county
Contents of a Greensboro Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Greensboro law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by North Carolina state law. These records typically include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory citation of alleged offense(s)
- Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint information
- Case or incident number
- Custody status information
It should be noted that pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-502, law enforcement agencies are required to photograph and fingerprint individuals charged with felonies, certain misdemeanors, or impaired driving offenses. These records become part of the official arrest documentation and are maintained according to state record retention schedules.
Arrest records may also contain information regarding the disposition of charges, though comprehensive case disposition information is more commonly found in court records maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. Members of the public seeking complete case information may need to consult both arrest records and court records.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Greensboro
The State of North Carolina provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement (also called expunction) is the legal process by which arrest records and related documentation are removed from public access. In Greensboro, as throughout North Carolina, expungement proceedings are governed by various statutes including N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 through § 15A-152.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Greensboro include:
- Charges that were dismissed or resulted in findings of not guilty
- First-time nonviolent offenses committed by individuals under age 22
- Certain nonviolent felonies and misdemeanors after specified waiting periods
- Arrests for which no charges were filed within the statute of limitations
The expungement process requires the filing of a petition with the Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5, petitioners must pay a filing fee of $175 unless granted a waiver due to indigency. The petition must be verified and served upon the District Attorney's Office. A hearing may be scheduled at which a judge will determine whether the petitioner meets the statutory requirements for expungement.
If an expungement is granted, the court will issue an order directing all state and local agencies to expunge their records. This includes the Greensboro Police Department, Guilford County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Administrative Office of the Courts. Following expungement, the individual may legally deny or refuse to acknowledge the arrests or convictions that were expunged, except in certain circumstances specified by statute.
Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court
201 S. Eugene Street, Suite 1C19
Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 412-7300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Search Arrest Records in Greensboro
