North Carolina reports approximately 230,000 arrests each year, with Lincoln County accounting for 2,500. The North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C. Gen. Stat. §132-1) grants the public the right to view and obtain copies of arrest records. However, certain records are restricted from public disclosure by law, including medical records, records related to minors, and records that could jeopardize ongoing investigations.
Obtaining copies of arrest records requires a fee ranging from $1 to $25, depending on the agency. Authorized parties such as record owners, their representatives, courts, and the Lincoln County District Attorney's Office have access to restricted records.
Arrest records in the county are maintained by several government agencies, including the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, the local Police Department, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI).
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office allows interested individuals to obtain arrest records online, by mail, or in person. To access records online, use the Police to Citizen (P2C) feature available on the sheriff's portal. Copies of arrest records may be obtained by mail or in person at:
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
700 John Howell Memorial Drive
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Phone: (704) 732-9050
Additionally, the Sheriff's Office provides an online Inmate Information tool, allowing individuals to search for current inmate records, including booking date, gender, and custody status.
The Lincolnton Police Department is the only Police Department in Lincoln County. Arrest records can be requested online through the Lincolnton Police Department's platform by providing necessary information, such as the arrestee's name, date of birth, and date of arrest. Copies of these records are available for a fee and can be obtained by mail or in person at:
Lincolnton Police Department
701 East Main Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Phone: (704) 736-8900
Lincoln County criminal records can be obtained from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), which serves as the central repository for criminal information statewide. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation conducts fingerprint-based searches for record owners seeking their criminal records, and a $14 processing fee is charged. The acceptable payment methods are certified checks or money orders. Record owners can request copies of their criminal records by completing and submitting a Request for Access to Criminal History Record Information form. This form can be sent by mail or submitted in person to:
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
The Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court is responsible for keeping and managing all criminal court records for the county. Requesters can visit the Clerk's office during business hours to view or obtain criminal court records at:
Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court
120 Justice Drive
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Phone: (740) 742-7800
Copies of criminal court records can be requested by mail, along with a $25 fee and required details such as the defendant's name, case number, and date of birth. The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides online access to criminal court records. Additionally, third-party platforms like InfoTracer offer convenient and fast access to arrest record searches.
The county has an arrest rate of 1,244.33 per 100,000 residents. The following section outlines a comprehensive breakdown of its arrest data:
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter | 3 |
| Aggravated Assault | 64 |
| DUI | 94 |
| Fraud | 54 |
| Arson | 9 |
| Other Assaults | 298 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 15 |
| Larceny Theft | 184 |
| Burglary | 65 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 2,237 |
Source: North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Lincolnton Police Department | 627 E Main St | 704-736-8900 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Correctional Center | 464 Roper Drive | 704-735-0485 |