>Wilkes County Arrest Records Online

Wilkes County, North Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Wilkes County, North Carolina?

Arrest records are public information in Wilkes County, 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 government operations, including law enforcement activities, by providing citizens with access to arrest information maintained by public agencies.

Exceptions to public disclosure may apply in certain circumstances as outlined in North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1.4, which addresses criminal investigations and intelligence information. Records pertaining to ongoing investigations or those sealed by court order may be exempt from public disclosure. Additionally, juvenile records are generally confidential under North Carolina General Statutes § 7B-3000, unless specifically ordered to be released by a court.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Wilkes County?

Wilkes County arrest records are accessible online through several official platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts provides a comprehensive database through which members of the public may search for criminal case information, including arrest data. This online accessibility is consistent with North Carolina's commitment to government transparency as codified in the state's Public Records Law.

The Wilkes County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate inquiry system that allows the public to search for current inmates and recent arrests. This system is updated regularly to provide accurate information regarding individuals currently in custody. Additionally, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety offers an online offender search tool that includes information about individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system.

Users should be aware that while basic arrest information is available online, complete arrest records with detailed documentation may require formal requests through the appropriate agencies. Online systems typically provide summary information rather than complete arrest files.

How to Look Up Wilkes County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Wilkes County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information:

Wilkes County Clerk of Superior Court: The official custodian of court records maintains files related to criminal cases, including arrest information. Requesters may visit the office in person during regular business hours to submit a records request.

Wilkes County Courthouse
500 Courthouse Drive, Suite 2100
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
(336) 651-4467
North Carolina Judicial Branch - Wilkes County

Wilkes County Sheriff's Office: The primary law enforcement agency in the county maintains arrest records and booking information. Records requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or by telephone.

Wilkes County Sheriff's Office
216 Executive Drive
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
(336) 903-7600
Wilkes County Sheriff's Office

North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts: The state judiciary maintains the Automated Criminal/Infractions System (ACIS), which contains information on criminal cases, including arrests. Public terminals are available at the courthouse for searching this database.
North Carolina Department of Public Safety: The state corrections department maintains records of individuals who have been processed through the state prison system following arrest and conviction.

North Carolina Department of Public Safety
512 North Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 733-2126
NC Department of Public Safety

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6, public agencies must respond to records requests "as promptly as possible." Requesters should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and, if possible, date of birth or approximate date of arrest to facilitate accurate record retrieval.

Contents of a Wilkes County Arrest Record

Wilkes County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard elements included in these official documents are as follows:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), gender, race, and any documented aliases or nicknames.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including North Carolina General Statute references and the classification of each offense (misdemeanor or felony).
Booking Information: Fingerprints, booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots"), and unique identifying numbers assigned during processing.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case, including bail or bond information, court dates, and preliminary hearing outcomes if applicable.
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions that may be relevant to the current case, particularly for habitual offender considerations.

These records are maintained in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-502, which governs the procedures for processing individuals following arrest. The statute requires law enforcement agencies to collect identifying information, including fingerprints and photographs, for individuals charged with felonies and certain misdemeanors.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Wilkes County

Expungement (also referred to as expunction) is the legal process through which arrest records and related documentation are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed. In Wilkes County, as throughout North Carolina, expungement procedures are governed by North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-145 through § 15A-152.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Wilkes County vary based on several factors:

Disposition of the Case: Individuals may qualify for expungement if charges were dismissed, resulted in not guilty verdicts, or if the person was pardoned.
Nature of the Offense: Certain offenses, particularly violent felonies and sex crimes, are generally ineligible for expungement under North Carolina law.
Waiting Period: Depending on the offense and outcome, waiting periods ranging from one to fifteen years may apply before an individual becomes eligible to petition for expungement.
Prior Criminal History: Multiple convictions or previous expungements may affect eligibility under North Carolina's "one-time" expungement provisions for certain offense categories.

The expungement process in Wilkes County requires petitioners to:

File a petition for expungement with the Wilkes County Clerk of Superior Court
Pay applicable filing fees (currently $175 for most expungement petitions)
Obtain and submit an affidavit of good character from two unrelated individuals
Submit to fingerprinting and criminal background checks
Attend a hearing if scheduled by the court

Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court will issue an order directing all state and local agencies to remove records of the arrest from public access. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-152, individuals who have received an expungement may legally deny or refuse to acknowledge the arrest or charges except in specific circumstances outlined in the statute.

For detailed guidance on the expungement process, individuals may consult with the North Carolina Judicial Branch's court records resources.