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Chapel Hill Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Chapel Hill, North Carolina?

Arrest records are public documents in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1, which 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 by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions." The North Carolina Public Records Law ensures transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities conducted by the Chapel Hill Police Department.

Members of the public may access these records with certain limitations established to protect ongoing investigations and personal privacy in accordance with state statutes. The Chapel Hill Police Department maintains these records in compliance with Chapel Hill Municipal Code regulations governing public safety documentation.

How to Look Up Chapel Hill Arrest Records in 2025

The Chapel Hill Police Department provides multiple methods for accessing arrest records. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following procedures:

Online Access: The Chapel Hill Open Data portal provides digital access to arrest data maintained by the Chapel Hill Police Department. This resource allows users to search arrest records by date, location, and other parameters.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Chapel Hill Police Department Records Division to submit formal requests for arrest records. Proper identification is required, and applicable fees may apply for document reproduction.

Chapel Hill Police Department
828 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 968-2760
Official Website

Court Records: Arrest documentation may also be accessed through the Orange County Courthouse, which maintains records of arrests that have resulted in court proceedings.

Orange County Courthouse
106 East Margaret Lane
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 644-4500
Official Website

Written Requests: Individuals may submit written requests for arrest records via mail to the Chapel Hill Police Department Records Division. Requests must include the full name of the subject, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available.

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6.2, agencies may charge reasonable fees for duplication of public records. Current fee schedules are available at the respective agencies.

Contents of a Chapel Hill Arrest Record

Chapel Hill arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by North Carolina law enforcement protocols. These records typically include:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and race
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Arresting officer's name, badge number, and department
Booking information including fingerprints and photographs
Custody status and bail information
Case disposition if available

The Orange County Judicial Branch maintains additional documentation regarding court proceedings resulting from arrests, including hearing dates, judicial determinations, and case outcomes. These supplementary records may be accessed through the county court system.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Chapel Hill is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1.4 specifically addresses criminal investigation records, establishing parameters for disclosure while protecting sensitive information.

Key legal provisions include:

Public Records Law Exemptions: Certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld pursuant to statutory exemptions, including information that might compromise ongoing investigations or endanger individuals.
Juvenile Records Protection: Records pertaining to arrests of individuals under 18 years of age are subject to additional confidentiality protections under North Carolina General Statutes § 7B-3000, which restricts public access to juvenile records.
Expunged Record Restrictions: Records that have been legally expunged pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-145 through § 15A-146 are removed from public access and may not be disclosed by law enforcement agencies.

The Chapel Hill Municipal Code further delineates local regulations regarding the maintenance and disclosure of law enforcement records in accordance with state law.

Limitations on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally accessible to the public, several important limitations exist to protect privacy rights and the integrity of the criminal justice system:

Active Investigations: Information pertaining to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would impede law enforcement activities or compromise case integrity.
Protected Personal Information: Certain personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information are redacted from public arrest records to prevent identity theft.
Victim Protection: Information that could endanger victims or witnesses may be withheld from public disclosure pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1.4(c).
Sealed Records: Court orders may seal certain arrest records from public view based on judicial determination.

The Orange County Emergency Services and Chapel Hill Police Department coordinate to ensure proper handling of sensitive information while maintaining appropriate public access to arrest documentation.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Chapel Hill

North Carolina law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement effectively removes arrest information from public access and, in some cases, from law enforcement databases. The process is governed by North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-145 through § 15A-149.

Eligibility criteria for expungement may include:

First-time nonviolent offenses
Arrests that did not result in conviction
Dismissals or findings of not guilty
Completion of diversion programs
Passage of specified waiting periods

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that handled the original case. Petitioners must submit:

Completed petition form AOC-CR-280
Certified copy of the arrest record
Affidavit confirming eligibility
Filing fee (may be waived for indigent petitioners)

Upon approval, the court issues an expungement order directing all relevant agencies to remove records from public access. The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides forms and procedural guidance for individuals seeking expungement of Chapel Hill arrest records.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Arrest records in Chapel Hill may be utilized for background screening purposes with certain restrictions imposed by state and federal law. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and North Carolina employment laws regulate how arrest information may be used in employment decisions.

Key regulations include:

Employers may not consider arrests that did not result in conviction unless directly relevant to the position
Records older than seven years may have limited reportability for certain positions
Applicants must receive notice when adverse actions are taken based on arrest record information
Public employers in Chapel Hill must delay criminal history inquiries until after conditional offers pursuant to "Ban the Box" policies

Individuals conducting background checks using Chapel Hill arrest records should consult the North Carolina Court System's online services for official verification of case dispositions and current status.