Yes, arrest records are public in High Point, North Carolina. This accessibility is governed by the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. § 132-1), which establishes that records created or received by government agencies in the course of public business are the property of the people. The statute specifically includes law enforcement records, such as arrest reports, within its scope. Members of the public may access these records to ensure transparency in governmental operations and to maintain accountability within the criminal justice system.
The High Point Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state law and makes them available through various channels. While certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4, the general arrest information remains accessible to any requesting party without the need to provide identification or state a purpose for the request.
The City of High Point provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to North Carolina's commitment to governmental transparency, the following methods are available:
In-person requests may be submitted at the High Point Police Department Records Division, located at 1009 Leonard Avenue, High Point, NC 27260. The public counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can assist with locating and providing copies of arrest records for a nominal fee as established by N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2.
Public Records Requests can be submitted through the city's official portal, which allows for electronic submission of requests for arrest records and other public documents.
The Police to Citizen Portal provides direct online access to recent arrest information, incident reports, and other law enforcement data. This system is updated regularly and serves as the most efficient method for obtaining current arrest information.
The Guilford County Sheriff's Office maintains a database of county-wide arrests, including those processed through their High Point Detention Center located at 507 East Green Drive, High Point, NC 27260. Their records division can be reached at (336) 641-3690.
The Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court maintains official court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings. Their High Point office is located at 505 East Green Drive, High Point, NC 27260, and can be contacted at (336) 822-6700.
Arrest records maintained by the High Point Police Department contain standardized information as required by North Carolina Administrative Code Title 12, Chapter 4E. These records typically include:
Pursuant to state regulations, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to confidential informants or ongoing investigations as specified in N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4.
The expungement process in High Point follows North Carolina state law as codified in N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 through § 15A-152. Expungement (also referred to as expunction) is a legal procedure that allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in High Point include:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court at their High Point office. The petition must be accompanied by:
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing and notify the District Attorney's Office, which has 30 days to file any objections. If the petition is granted, the court will issue an order directing all state and local agencies to expunge their records of the arrest. This includes the High Point Police Department, Guilford County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
While arrest records in High Point are generally public, North Carolina law establishes certain limitations on access pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4. These restrictions include:
Additionally, the High Point Police Department adheres to federal regulations regarding the dissemination of criminal history record information as established by 28 CFR Part 20. These regulations impose additional restrictions on how arrest record information may be shared, particularly when it involves interstate transmission of data.
High Point Police Department
1009 Leonard Avenue
High Point, NC 27260
(336) 883-3224
Official Website
Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court - High Point Office
505 East Green Drive
High Point, NC 27260
(336) 822-6700
Official Website