Cary Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Cary, North Carolina?
Arrest records are public in Cary, 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." The North Carolina Public Records Law establishes that these records are the property of the people and must be accessible for inspection by any person, with certain statutory exceptions.
The Town of Cary Police Department maintains arrest records as part of their official duties. These records document law enforcement activities and are considered public information under state law. Members of the public may access these records unless they fall under specific exemptions outlined in North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1.4, which protects certain criminal investigative materials, or other applicable privacy statutes.
Accessibility of arrest records promotes governmental transparency and accountability while providing citizens with information about law enforcement activities within their community. The public nature of these records serves multiple purposes, including:
- Enabling community awareness of criminal activity
- Facilitating background checks for employment or housing
- Supporting journalistic reporting on law enforcement actions
- Allowing researchers to analyze crime patterns and trends
How to Look Up Cary Arrest Records in 2025
The Town of Cary provides multiple methods for accessing arrest records in compliance with North Carolina public records laws. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following official channels:
In-Person Requests Members of the public may visit the Cary Police Department Records Division to submit requests for arrest records. Staff will assist with locating and providing available public information.
Cary Police Department 120 Wilkinson Avenue Cary, NC 27513 Phone: (919) 469-4012 Town of Cary Police Department Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Online Access The Town of Cary maintains digital platforms where certain arrest information is published. The Police to Citizen portal provides searchable access to recent arrest data, incident reports, and other public safety information. Users may search by name, date range, or incident type.
Wake County Courthouse Individuals may also access arrest records through the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court, which maintains court records related to arrests in Cary and other Wake County municipalities.
Wake County Courthouse 316 Fayetteville Street Raleigh, NC 27601 Phone: (919) 792-4000 Wake County North Carolina Judicial Branch Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Written Requests Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via mail or email. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6.2(a), requests must be responded to "as promptly as possible." Requests should include:
- Full name of the individual
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case number (if known)
- Requestor's contact information
Contents of a Cary Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Town of Cary Police Department typically contain standardized information as required by North Carolina law enforcement protocols. These records document the circumstances and details of an individual's arrest and generally include the following elements:
Biographical Information
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Any known aliases or previous names
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity (as categorized by law enforcement)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Arrest Details
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking number and processing information
- Charges filed, including North Carolina General Statute references
- Warrant information, if applicable
- Bail or bond amount set
- Court appearance dates
Case Documentation
- Incident report number
- Preliminary police narrative
- Mugshot photographs
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory (items in possession at time of arrest)
- Detention facility information
Disposition Information
- Court case numbers
- Preliminary hearing outcomes
- Case status (pending, dismissed, convicted)
It should be noted that pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1.4, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including information that would:
- Identify a confidential informant
- Reveal confidential investigative techniques
- Endanger the life or physical safety of an individual
- Disclose juvenile records protected under state law
Expungement of Arrest Records in Cary
North Carolina law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed. The Town of Cary adheres to state expungement statutes as codified in North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-145 through § 15A-152.
Eligibility Criteria Expungement eligibility in Cary is determined by state law and varies based on several factors:
- Charges that resulted in dismissal or finding of not guilty
- First-time nonviolent offenses after specified waiting periods
- Certain misdemeanor convictions committed before age 18/22
- Certain drug offenses for first-time offenders
- Identity theft victims whose names were used in criminal proceedings
Application Process The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court where the case was adjudicated. For Cary arrests, this is typically the Wake County District Court or Superior Court. The process includes:
- Obtaining the appropriate petition form from the Wake County Clerk of Court
- Completing the petition with accurate case information
- Obtaining certified copies of court dispositions
- Paying required filing fees (fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners)
- Submitting to fingerprinting and criminal background checks
- Filing the completed petition with the Clerk of Court
Wake County Courthouse 316 Fayetteville Street Raleigh, NC 27601 Phone: (919) 792-4000 Wake County North Carolina Judicial Branch
Legal Effect of Expungement Upon court approval of an expungement petition, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-152, all public records of the arrest, including those maintained by the Town of Cary Police Department, must be removed from public access. The individual may legally deny the existence of the expunged arrest in most circumstances, with limited exceptions for certain law enforcement and judicial purposes.
The Administrative Office of the Courts maintains a confidential record of expungements to ensure individuals do not receive multiple expungements beyond statutory limits. This information is not accessible to the public but may be reviewed by judges and prosecutors for determining eligibility for subsequent expungement petitions.
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