Pitt County, North Carolina Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Pitt County, North Carolina?
Arrest records are public in Pitt 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. These records typically contain information about the arrested individual, the nature of the alleged offense, and details about the law enforcement agency that conducted the arrest.
The North Carolina Public Records Law operates under the presumption that government records should be accessible to citizens to ensure transparency and accountability in governmental operations. Members of the public seeking arrest records in Pitt County may obtain them through various official channels, including the Pitt County Sheriff's Office and the Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Pitt County?
Arrest records can be accessed online in Pitt County through several official digital platforms. The Pitt County Sheriff's Office maintains a charges inquiry search system that provides information about individuals currently charged at the Pitt County Detention Center. Additionally, the county offers a detainee search application that contains charge, sentence, and bond information for individuals currently detained.
The digital availability of these records is part of Pitt County's commitment to public transparency and efficient government operations. Online access enables citizens, legal professionals, and other interested parties to obtain arrest information without the necessity of visiting government offices in person. This system operates in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2, which encourages government agencies to provide public records in the most cost-effective and accessible manner available.
Users should note that while basic arrest information is available online, certain details may be redacted in compliance with privacy laws and judicial orders. Complete records may require in-person requests at the appropriate county office.
How to Look Up Pitt County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Pitt County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them:
- Visit the Pitt County Sheriff's Office in person to request physical copies of arrest records. The office is located at:
Pitt County Sheriff's Office
100 W. 3rd Street
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 902-2800
Official Website
Access the Pitt County online records system through the Charges Inquiry Search or Detainee Search applications.
Submit a request to the Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court for certified criminal record searches at:
Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court
100 W 3rd Street
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 695-7100
Official Website
Utilize the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation's background check services for comprehensive criminal history information.
Contact the Greenville Police Department for arrest records related to incidents within city limits:
Greenville Police Department
500 South Greene Street
Greenville, NC 27834
(252) 329-4315
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6(a), public agencies must respond to record requests "as promptly as possible." Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth when available, to ensure accurate results.
Contents of a Pitt County Arrest Record
Pitt County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by North Carolina law and local regulations. These records typically include:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical description
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Detailed enumeration of charges filed, including statute numbers and offense classifications
- Name and identification number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
- Fingerprint information collected during booking procedures
- Case numbers and court docket information
- Bail or bond amounts established and payment status
- Detention facility information if the individual was incarcerated
- Court appearance dates and preliminary hearing schedules
The comprehensiveness of arrest records serves multiple governmental functions, including facilitating proper identification of individuals within the criminal justice system, enabling appropriate case management, and maintaining statistical data for law enforcement agencies. These records are maintained in accordance with the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources' Records Retention and Disposition Schedule.
It should be noted that pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4, certain investigative information may be withheld from public arrest records if disclosure would jeopardize an ongoing investigation or reveal confidential informants.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Pitt County
The expungement process in Pitt County allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances prescribed by North Carolina law. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 through § 15A-152, individuals may petition for expungement if they meet statutory eligibility requirements.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Pitt County generally include:
- Cases resulting in dismissal or findings of not guilty
- First-time nonviolent offenses after prescribed waiting periods
- Certain drug offenses committed before age 22
- Charges resulting from identity theft or mistaken identity
- Juvenile records meeting specific statutory conditions
The expungement procedure requires petitioners to:
- File a petition for expungement with the Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court
- Pay applicable filing fees (currently $175 for most petitions)
- Obtain an affidavit from two character witnesses not related to the petitioner
- Submit to fingerprinting and criminal background checks
- Attend a hearing before a Superior Court judge if required
Upon approval of an expungement petition, all public records of the arrest are sealed from public view. Law enforcement agencies and the courts retain non-public records of expungements, accessible only under limited circumstances specified by statute. The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts maintains standardized petition forms that must be used for all expungement requests.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process typically takes 6-12 months from filing to completion. The Pitt County Bar Association occasionally offers expungement clinics to assist eligible individuals with limited financial resources.
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