Arrest records in Robeson County, North Carolina are public documents pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1 of the North Carolina Public Records Law. This statute establishes that records created or received by public agencies in the course of conducting public business are the property of the people. Law enforcement agencies within Robeson County maintain arrest records as part of their official duties, and these records are generally accessible to members of the public upon proper request. The North Carolina Public Records Law serves to promote government transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding the actions of public officials and agencies, including those related to arrests and criminal proceedings.
Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or where disclosure would compromise public safety. These exceptions are narrowly defined by statute and case law to balance the public's right to information with other compelling governmental interests.
Robeson County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies and third-party providers. The Robeson County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that provides limited information about recent arrests and current inmates at the county detention center. This resource allows members of the public to search for arrest information without physically visiting county offices.
Additionally, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction provides a statewide offender search system that includes information about individuals who have been processed through the Robeson County criminal justice system and subsequently entered state custody. This database includes information about county jail inmates, state prisoners, probationers, and parolees.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch has implemented the eCourts system in many counties, including Robeson, which provides online access to court records related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. This system allows for searches by name, case number, and other identifiers.
It should be noted that online records may not contain complete arrest information, as certain details may be redacted pursuant to privacy laws or may only be available through in-person requests at the appropriate county offices.
Members of the public seeking Robeson County arrest records have multiple methods available to obtain this information:
Sheriff's Office Records Division: The Robeson County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and booking information for individuals processed through their facility.
Robeson County Sheriff's Office
120 Legend Road
Lumberton, NC 28358
(910) 671-3100
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Clerk of Superior Court: The Robeson County Clerk's Office maintains court records related to criminal cases, including information about arrests that have resulted in formal charges.
Robeson County Clerk of Superior Court
500 N Elm Street
Lumberton, NC 28358
(910) 671-3000
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation: For comprehensive criminal history information, the NC SBI maintains the central repository for criminal records throughout the state, including those from Robeson County.
Online Court Records: The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides access to court records through their public terminals and, increasingly, through online portals. The eCourts system allows for searches of court records related to arrests and criminal proceedings.
Criminal Background Check Services: Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-150, individuals may request a criminal background check through the Clerk of Superior Court's office for a nominal fee. This service provides certified documentation of an individual's criminal history within Robeson County.
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific identifying information about the subject of their search, including full name and, if possible, date of birth. Fees may apply for certain types of record requests, particularly for certified copies or extensive searches.
Arrest records maintained by Robeson County law enforcement agencies typically contain the following information pursuant to North Carolina law and departmental policies:
The Robeson County Detention Center maintains records of individuals processed through their facility, including booking information and current custody status. These records are maintained in accordance with North Carolina Department of Adult Correction standards and local policies.
It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with state privacy laws, particularly in cases involving protected categories of information or ongoing investigations. Additionally, arrest records for juveniles (under 18 years of age) are generally not available to the public pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000, which establishes confidentiality for juvenile records.
Under North Carolina law, certain individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records expunged (also referred to as expunction) from public view. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records and related court documents are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed.
Eligibility for expungement in Robeson County is governed by several North Carolina General Statutes, including:
The expungement process typically requires the following steps:
If granted, an order of expungement directs all agencies holding records related to the arrest to remove those records from public access. This includes the Robeson County Sheriff's Office, the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, the State Bureau of Investigation, and any other agencies that maintain such records.
The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction provides reentry resources for Robeson County residents seeking to navigate the expungement process. Additionally, legal assistance for expungement petitions may be available through Legal Aid of North Carolina or private attorneys practicing in Robeson County.