>Lincoln County Arrest Records Online

Lincoln County, North Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lincoln County, North Carolina?

Arrest records are public in Lincoln 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 government agencies in the course of conducting public business are the property of the people. The law specifically includes arrest records among those documents that must be made available for public inspection. This transparency measure serves multiple public interests, including:

Ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies
Providing citizens with information about criminal activity in their communities
Supporting the constitutional right to public trials
Facilitating research and statistical analysis of crime patterns

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of its statutory obligations. While most information in arrest records is public, certain details may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or the privacy of victims in specific cases as permitted under N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Lincoln County?

Lincoln County arrest records are accessible online through several official platforms. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database of recent arrests and inmate information that is updated regularly. The North Carolina Judicial Branch also provides access to court records associated with arrests through its online portal.

Members of the public should be aware of the following considerations when accessing online arrest records:

Records available online may not include all historical data
Some records may have a delay between the arrest and online publication
Certain case details may be restricted from online viewing due to statutory limitations
Technical issues may occasionally affect the availability of online records

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office updates its online arrest database daily, typically by 6:00 AM. The inmate roster provides current information about individuals currently in custody at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

How to Look Up Lincoln County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Lincoln County. Individuals seeking these records may utilize any of the following official channels:

In-person requests at the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Lincoln County Sheriff's Office 700 John Howell Memorial Drive Lincolnton, NC 28092 (704) 732-9050 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court Lincoln County Courthouse 1 Court Square Lincolnton, NC 28092 (704) 736-8500 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Online searches through the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office inmate database
Written requests submitted via mail to the Records Division at the Sheriff's Office address listed above

Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying records but cannot charge for inspection of records. The standard fee for printed arrest record copies in Lincoln County is $0.25 per page. Certified copies may be obtained for an additional fee of $5.00 per document.

When requesting records in person, requestors must complete a Public Records Request Form and present valid government-issued photo identification. Requests are typically processed within 3-5 business days, though complex requests may require additional time.

Contents of a Lincoln County Arrest Record

Lincoln County arrest records contain standardized information as required by North Carolina law. These records are maintained by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or nicknames
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Date, time, and location of arrest
Specific charges filed, including statute numbers
Arresting agency and officer information
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint classification
Case or incident number
Bond amount and type (if applicable)
Court appearance information
Custody status

The level of detail in arrest records may vary depending on the nature of the case and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records related to juvenile arrests (under age 18) are subject to different regulations under N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000 and may have restricted access.

For cases that proceed to court, additional information becomes available through the North Carolina Judicial Branch court records system. These records include court dates, hearing outcomes, and final dispositions.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lincoln County

Under North Carolina law, certain individuals may petition for expungement (also called expunction) of arrest records. Expungement effectively removes the record from public view, though law enforcement agencies may retain limited access to the information. The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides guidance on this process.

Eligibility for expungement in Lincoln County is governed by several North Carolina statutes, including:

N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 (expunction of records for first offenders under 18)
N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5 (expunction of nonviolent offenses)
N.C.G.S. § 15A-146 (expunction of records when charges are dismissed)

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court. Petitioners must:

Complete the appropriate petition form based on the specific statute
Obtain a certified copy of their criminal record
Pay the required filing fee (currently $175, though fee waivers may be available)
Submit affidavits confirming eligibility requirements
Attend a hearing if scheduled by the court

Processing times for expungement petitions typically range from 3-9 months. Upon approval, the court issues an order directing all agencies to expunge the specified records. The Lincoln County Clerk of Court can provide specific guidance on the filing procedures.