Arrest records are public in Wilson 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 establishes that these records shall be accessible for inspection by any person, with certain statutory exceptions. This accessibility supports governmental transparency and public oversight of law enforcement activities within Wilson County. Members of the public may request these records without providing identification or stating a purpose for their request, in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 132-6(b).
Exceptions to public disclosure may include:
Wilson County arrest records are available online through several official channels, in accordance with North Carolina's commitment to public information accessibility. The Wilson County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database of recent arrests and inmate information that is updated regularly pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4(c), which permits the release of certain information regarding arrests and the circumstances surrounding them.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides electronic access to court records, including those related to arrests in Wilson County. Through the state's eCourts initiative, the Administrative Office of the Courts has expanded digital access to these public records. The system allows for remote searches of criminal cases, including arrest information, subject to the limitations established in N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4.
Online access to these records is provided as a public service and to reduce administrative burden on county offices. Users should note that while basic arrest information is available online, complete case files may require in-person requests at the Wilson County Courthouse.
Members of the public seeking Wilson County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several methods established by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and local law enforcement agencies. The following options are available pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6, which requires public agencies to provide access to public records:
Visit the Wilson County Sheriff's Office in person to request physical copies of arrest records: Wilson County Sheriff's Office 100 East Green Street Wilson, NC 27893 (252) 237-2118 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Official Website
Access the Wilson County Court Records through the North Carolina Judicial Branch website, which provides a searchable database of court cases including arrest information.
Submit a written request to the Wilson County Clerk of Superior Court: Wilson County Clerk of Superior Court 115 East Nash Street Wilson, NC 27893 (252) 206-3100 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Utilize the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction offender search portal for information on individuals currently in custody or under supervision.
Check the Wilson County Sheriff's Office daily bulletin, which is published online and includes recent arrest information in compliance with N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4(c).
Requestors should be prepared to provide the full name of the individual and, if possible, the date of birth or approximate date of arrest to facilitate accurate record retrieval.
Wilson County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by the North Carolina Department of Justice and in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 15A-502, which governs the collection and maintenance of arrest data. A typical Wilson County arrest record includes:
It should be noted that arrest records document allegations only and do not constitute proof of guilt. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-502(d), the mere fact of arrest does not constitute a finding of probable cause by a judicial official.
Expungement procedures in Wilson County are governed by North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-145 through § 15A-152, which provide mechanisms for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. The expungement process legally erases arrests and, in some cases, convictions from an individual's record, making them inaccessible through standard background checks.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Wilson County include:
The expungement petition must be filed with the Wilson County Courthouse located at:
Wilson County Courthouse 115 East Nash Street Wilson, NC 27894 (252) 206-3100 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Petitioners must complete form AOC-CR-287, available through the North Carolina Court System, and pay the required filing fee of $175 as established by N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5(f), unless a fee waiver is granted. The District Attorney's Office must be served with a copy of the petition and has 30 days to file any objections before a hearing is scheduled.
If granted, an expungement order requires all state and local agencies to remove records of the arrest from public databases and prohibits them from disclosing the existence of such records pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-152.