Arrest records are public in Iredell County, 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 law enforcement agencies, are considered public records and shall be accessible for inspection by any person. 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."
The Iredell County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes these records available to the public in accordance with state law. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted or restricted if it falls under specific statutory exemptions, such as information that would compromise an ongoing investigation or information protected by federal privacy laws.
Arrest records can be found online through several official Iredell County platforms. The Iredell County Sheriff's Office Public Information Access portal provides digital access to various public safety records, including arrest information. Additionally, the county maintains an Inmate Locator system that allows members of the public to search for individuals currently in custody.
The availability of online records is subject to the following conditions:
Users should note that while basic arrest information is available online, obtaining complete arrest records may require additional steps or formal requests through the appropriate county offices.
Members of the public seeking Iredell County arrest records have multiple methods available to them. Each method provides varying levels of detail and requires different processing times.
Individuals may visit the following locations to request arrest records in person:
Iredell County Sheriff's Office
230 N. Tradd Street
Statesville, NC 28677
Phone: (704) 878-3180
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website
Iredell County Clerk of Superior Court
202 S. Center Street
Statesville, NC 28677
Phone: (704) 832-6600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website
Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to:
Records Division
Iredell County Sheriff's Office
P.O. Box 400
Statesville, NC 28687
All requests should include:
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2, agencies must respond to public records requests "as promptly as possible." Typical processing time for mail requests is 7-10 business days.
Iredell County arrest records contain standardized information as required by North Carolina law and departmental policies. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and typically include the following elements:
The Iredell County Detention Center, rated as a Class Five facility in North Carolina, maintains these records in accordance with state record retention schedules. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-502, law enforcement agencies are required to fingerprint and photograph individuals charged with felonies or certain misdemeanors.
Expungement (also called expunction) is the legal process through which arrest records and related documentation are removed from public access. In Iredell County, expungement proceedings are governed by North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-145 through § 15A-152.
Individuals may qualify for expungement under various circumstances, including:
The expungement process in Iredell County requires:
Petitioners may obtain the required forms through the North Carolina Judicial Branch website or in person at the courthouse.
When an expungement is granted, pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-152:
Certain government agencies, particularly law enforcement and prosecutors, may retain access to expunged records for limited purposes under specific circumstances as outlined in state law.