Search North Carolina Public Records

How to Conduct North Carolina Criminal Records Search

NC judicial branch handles North Carolina arrest records and criminal records requests. However, when someone makes a request in person at one of the courthouses, the search will only contain records from that one location; it is not a statewide search. NC does not offer the general public a way to order records online, it must be done in person at the courthouse, and requestors must use their application. Each request will cost $25.

What Information Does North Carolina Criminal Records Search Include?

A NC arrest record will contain basic information like name, address, phone, email, gender, race, age, date of birth, scars, tattoos, height, weight, and mug shots and also fingerprints. Also included will be details of each arrest including the arresting officer’s name, badge number, arresting agency, date, and location of the arrest, the charges filed, the disposition, any fines, fees, bail or bond paid. If any vehicles were involved in the crime, that information will also be provided.

North Carolina Police Report and Mugshots

Are North Carolina Police Reports Public Record?

North Carolina is very generous with its public records policy regarding police reports. Not only are all police reports available but also crash reports, incident reports, and crime reports. They refer to anything other than a traffic accident report as an incident (Crime) report. They clarify by saying, “Crime Reports include all reports taken by the police department, in person or by telephone, other than a traffic accident.” They also offer the general public criminal history reports as well.

The information contained within police reports may entail:

• The names and ages of the people involved.
• The charges filed against the person.
• The location, date and time of the event.
• A detailed description of the incident.
• Any arrests that took place.
• Mugshots and fingerprints.
• The name of the jail or detention center the arrested person was taken to.
• The bail or bond amount set.

You can request and receive police reports by visiting the police station in person, or get access to some non-emergency incident reports by using their online resources.

North Carolina Mugshots

Mugshots have been around since the 1800s and are used widely by all types of law enforcement. A French policeman named Alphonse Bertillon perfected the use of them in the booking process by using two angles (front and side) to create a composite shot called a mugshot. Investigators use them to identify criminals and witnesses, and victims view them to help find suspects.

North Carolina mugshots are readily available online. The standard design is a plain gray background with a black drape over the person’s clothing. All the North Carolina mugshots are processed this way for consistency. The Shelby Star Magazine online shows a bunch of mugshots each day of people who were recently arrested. Other news and media outlets have them, as do private, public records repositories and other companies.

North Carolina Arrest Booking Process

North Carolina police arrest people in two ways. Either they witness you committing a crime (such as a DUI) or after an investigation, they have enough evidence for an arrest warrant and apprehend you that way. Regardless, after the arrest, you will be taken to the police station and booked.

The booking process usually consists of:

• You will be searched, and all your personal belongings will be taken, inventoried, and stored for you.
• You will also be photographed and fingerprinted.
• You may also have to provide a DNA sample (cheek swab).
• You are allowed one or more phone calls.
• You will be placed in a holding cell to wait.
• Bail may or may not be set.
• Police may charge you or release you.

Most suspects will stay in jail until they see the magistrate for their initial hearing.

Violent Crime Rates for the last 10 years

The crime rate has decreased over the past decade in North Carolina, going from 31,041 crimes in 2006 to 0 by 30% lower than it was back in 2006. The largest percentage of violent crimes falls into the Aggravated Assault category, with Revised Rape being the least popular crime in the state.

Arrest Law

An NC police officer can arrest someone when they are in possession of a warrant. They can also arrest someone without a warrant when they don’t have one in their possession but know that one has been issued for the suspect. An officer can arrest anyone who commits an offense in his or her presence. The officer can also arrest someone without a warrant when a felony or misdemeanor has been committed, and they believe the person may be a danger to themselves, others or may damage evidence. They may also arrest anyone they believe has broken their parole or probation.

The Arrest Rate in North Carolina

For 2017, NC had a property crime rate of 2,677.8 and a violent crime rate of 383.7. During that year 181,951 arrests were made for larceny/theft, 15,856 were for motor vehicle theft, 66,467 were for burglary, 25,742 were for aggravated assault, 9,453 for robbery, 2,035 were for rape and 637 for murder.

North Carolina Arrest Records by Type of Crime

The popular arrests for 2017 in North Carolina was for All Other Offenses (except traffic) - 74,500, the same popularity of the arrest type was seen in Alabama, Alaska, and Arizona. The least popularity had Curfew and Loitering Law Violations arrests - with only 36 crimes a year.