>Wilson County Arrest Records Online

Wilson County, North Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Wilson County, North Carolina?

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:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
Juvenile records (protected under N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000)
Records sealed by court order
Information that would compromise personal privacy beyond the public interest in disclosure

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Wilson County?

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.

How to Look Up Wilson County Arrest Records in 2025

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.

Contents of a Wilson County Arrest Record

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:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including North Carolina General Statute references
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken during processing
Fingerprint information collected pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-502(a)
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for the arrest (Wilson County Sheriff's Office, Wilson Police Department, etc.)
Case or incident number assigned to the arrest
Initial court appearance information, including date and bond amount if applicable
Custody status (released on bond, held in custody, etc.)

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 of Arrest Records in Wilson County

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:

Charges that were dismissed or resulted in not guilty verdicts (N.C.G.S. § 15A-146)
First-time nonviolent offenses committed by individuals under age 18 or 21, depending on the offense (N.C.G.S. § 15A-145)
Certain drug offenses committed by first-time offenders under age 22 (N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.2)
Nonviolent felonies after waiting periods of 5-10 years, depending on offense classification (N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5)
Identity theft victims who had criminal records created in their names (N.C.G.S. § 15A-147)

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.

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