Vance County, North Carolina Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Vance County, North Carolina?
Arrest records are public documents in Vance 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, which document the apprehension and detention of individuals by law enforcement agencies operating within Vance County. Public access to these records serves the legislative intent of promoting transparency, accountability, and civic engagement in governmental operations.
Members of the public may request access to arrest records without providing identification or stating a purpose for their request. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted or restricted if disclosure would violate privacy laws, compromise ongoing investigations, or endanger public safety as outlined in N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Vance County?
Vance County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms in accordance with North Carolina's commitment to public information accessibility. The Vance County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that includes recent arrest information, though the comprehensiveness of online records may be limited compared to in-person requests.
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts provides a centralized court records database that includes arrest information connected to court proceedings. This system allows users to search by name, case number, or other identifiers to locate arrest-related court documents. Additionally, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction offers criminal offender searches that include arrest data for individuals currently in the correctional system.
Third-party aggregators also compile and publish Vance County arrest records online, though the accuracy and currency of such information cannot be officially verified by county authorities. Users of these services should verify any information obtained through such platforms with official county records.
How to Look Up Vance County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Vance County arrest records. Individuals seeking these records may utilize the following methods:
- Visit the Vance County Sheriff's Office in person to request arrest record information. Staff can assist with searches and provide certified copies of records for a nominal fee.
Vance County Sheriff's Office
156 Church Street, Suite 004
Henderson, NC 27536
(252) 738-2200
Official Website
- Submit requests to the Vance County Clerk of Superior Court, which maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings.
Vance County Clerk of Superior Court
156 Church Street
Henderson, NC 27536
(252) 738-9100
Official Website
- Access the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation's public resources for certain arrest information, particularly for serious offenses or missing person cases.
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 662-4500
Official Website
Utilize the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction's online offender search system, which includes information on arrests resulting in incarceration or supervision.
Check the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry for arrest records related to sex offenses, as mandated by N.C.G.S. § 14-208.5.
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2(a), agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying records but cannot charge for inspection of records or for searching, retrieving, or otherwise making records available.
Contents of a Vance County Arrest Record
Vance County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by the North Carolina Department of Justice. These records typically include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
- Name and jurisdiction of the arresting agency
- Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
- Biometric data including fingerprints and, when applicable, DNA samples
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and identifying marks
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Booking number and processing information
- Detention status and bail or bond information
- Case disposition if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)
- Warrant information if the arrest was executed pursuant to a warrant
The level of detail in arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense, the arresting agency's protocols, and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records related to juvenile arrests are subject to additional confidentiality protections under N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000 and may not be publicly accessible except under specific court orders.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Vance County
North Carolina law provides mechanisms for the expungement (also referred to as expunction) of certain arrest records in Vance County. Expungement is the legal process through which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. The authority for expungement is established in N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 through § 15A-152.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Vance County include:
- Arrests that did not result in conviction (dismissed charges, not guilty verdicts)
- First-time nonviolent misdemeanor convictions after specified waiting periods
- Certain nonviolent felony convictions after longer waiting periods
- Arrests and convictions occurring when the individual was a juvenile or young adult
- Arrests resulting from identity theft or mistaken identity
- Convictions for offenses that have been decriminalized subsequent to conviction
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Vance County Clerk of Superior Court, payment of filing fees (which may be waived for indigent petitioners), and in some cases, obtaining affidavits from character witnesses. Petitioners must also provide fingerprint cards and submit to a criminal background check.
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all agencies holding records of the arrest to seal or destroy those records. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-152, individuals who have received an expungement may legally deny the existence of the expunged arrest or conviction in most circumstances, including on employment applications.
Search Arrest Records in Vance County
