Carteret County Arrest Records

In Carteret County, North Carolina, law enforcement officers make arrests under reasonable suspicion or probable cause that a crime has been committed (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-401). These crimes may range from misdemeanors to felonies, each carrying distinct legal consequences.

Arrest records are primarily generated and maintained by the arresting agency, such as the Sheriff's Office. These documents contain details like the charges, the date of arrest, and the detainee's personal information. However, arrest records are only one of several created when a person becomes involved with the criminal justice system. Other related records include Carteret County court records and criminal history records managed by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Are Arrest Records Public in Carteret County?

Yes. Carteret County arrest records are generally publicly accessible, according to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4(c).

However, specific elements of police investigation records are exempt from public access. According to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4(a), "records of criminal investigations" and "criminal intelligence information" assembled by public law enforcement agencies are generally not considered public records. This exemption protects sensitive information derived from witnesses, informants, or confidential surveillance that could impede ongoing investigations or endanger persons involved.

Additionally, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4(d) allows law enforcement agencies to temporarily withhold the name or location of a complaining witness if the disclosure could threaten the subject(s) or actively compromise an ongoing investigation.

Eligibility for access to these protected records is generally limited to the following parties:

• The arrestee
• Arrestee's legal representative(s)
• Other relevant government authorities.

(Note: Should public access be requested, law enforcement agencies typically communicate to requesters that disclosure could jeopardize a fair trial, compromise an investigation, or otherwise harm the interests of justice, as specified in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4(e)).

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

According to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4(c), the publicly accessible components of a Carteret County arrest record include:

• Time, date, location, and nature of the alleged offense.
• The arrested individual's sex, age, address, employment.
• The circumstances surrounding the arrest, such as whether resistance was involved, possession or use of weapons, and pursuit details, are discussed.
• Records of any items seized during the arrest.
• Details of any 911 or emergency calls relating to the arrest.

Carteret County Arrest Statistics

According to the F.B.I.'s Uniform Crime Reporting (U.C.R.), Carteret County law enforcement agencies made 279 arrests last year.

"All Other Offenses" had the highest percentage of arrests, with 174 incidents (62%). Drug-related offenses (including both possession and sale/manufacturing) followed, with 48 arrest reports (17%). Driving Under the Influence (D.U.I.) represented 31 offenses (11%), while simple assault accounted for 19 incidents (7%). Larceny made up 18 arrests (6%).

Find Carteret County Arrest Records

To access Carteret County arrest records, contacting the Records Bureau or unit of the law enforcement agency that made the arrest is often the most effective approach. For instance, if the Carteret County Sheriff's Office handled the arrest, inquiries can be directed to the Records Division by phone or in person at:

304 Craven Street
Beaufort, NC 28516.

(Note: Requesters should call the Records Division ahead at (252) 728-8400 to confirm the report's availability, as delays may occur during the report preparation and review process.)

Individuals should be prepared to provide specific information to expedite the process when making an arrest record request. Key details interested parties might have to provide include:

• Arrestee's full name
• Date of birth, if known
• Arrest date and location
• Requester's contact information
• Valid government-issued identification to confirm eligibility, especially for non-public records.

The Sheriff's Office also allows online access to county inmate records for individuals detained at the county Detention Center. To use this resource, interested parties should take the following steps:

• Visit the Sheriff's Office website.
• Navigate to the.
• Hover over the cursor over the "Divisions" section until "Inmate Search" appears, then select it.
• Click "I agree" to proceed.
• Enter the arrestee's name to view current detention information.

Free Arrest Record Search in Carteret County

The Carteret County Sheriff's Office provides an online resource for accessing arrest documents for persons held at the county's Detention Center. To use this free service, interested parties can take the following steps:

• Visit the Sheriff's Office website.
• Navigate to the "Divisions" section.
• Click on "Inmate Search".
• Click "I agree" to proceed.
• Enter the arrestee's name to view current detention information.

Alternatively, third-party websites may also offer search tools for county arrest records. These sites often compile public records from various agencies, though they may charge fees or offer limited free access.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. In Carteret County, arrests remain indefinitely on a person's record unless a formal expunction process is completed. This is why eligible individuals can request expungement under specific conditions governed by N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 and related sections. Expunction may be possible for individuals who meet eligibility criteria, such as those arrested without conviction, cases resulting in dismissed charges, or specific nonviolent misdemeanor or felony convictions after a waiting period. Without expunction, an arrest remains on public and criminal records, accessible to law enforcement, court systems, and sometimes the public. Background checks can continue to show arrest records, potentially affecting employment and housing opportunities.

Expunge Carteret County Arrest Records

Expunging Carteret County arrest information is possible under specific conditions governed by N.C.G.S. §§ 15A-145 through 15A-146. Expungement eligibility within the county generally applies to cases where charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal, certain nonviolent misdemeanors or felonies, and when the individual meets specific age, time, or offense criteria.

Per N.C.G.S § 15A-145.5, nonviolent misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies qualify for expunction. However, several types of offenses are expressly excluded, including:

• Serious Felonies and Assault Offenses: Class A-G felonies and Class A1 misdemeanors are excluded, as are any crimes involving assault.
• Registration and Sexual/Violent Offenses: Crimes requiring registration under Article 27A, certain sexual or stalking-related offenses, and any crime under G.S. Chapter 90 involving methamphetamine, heroin, or the sale of cocaine are ineligible.
• Motor Vehicle-Related Crimes: Felonies involving commercial vehicles or impaired driving do not qualify (G.S. 20-4.01(24a)).

To seek expunction, petitioners under this category have to wait a specific period following the completion of their sentence:

• For one nonviolent misdemeanor, the waiting period is five years.
• For more than one nonviolent misdemeanor, a seven-year waiting period applies.
• For one nonviolent felony, the waiting period is 10 years or 15 years for certain burglary-related offenses.
• For two or three nonviolent felonies, a 20-year wait is required.

(Note: Multiple convictions from the same court session are treated as one for expunction purposes (N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5).

Required documentation for submitting a petition to the county court that handled the case:

• A sworn statement of good moral character.
• Affidavits from two community members attesting to the petitioner's good character.
• Criminal background checks and statements about any outstanding restitution.

Upon filing, the district attorney is notified and has 30 days to object. The court reviews the petition, considering any statements from victims and law enforcement input. If the expunction is granted, the court will restore the petitioner's legal status to pre-conviction.

Eligible individuals may file a petition to the Superior Court. If the court grants the petition, it directs the expungement of records from all relevant agencies, including law enforcement and the DMV., if applicable (N.C.G.S. § 15A-146). A filing fee of $175 is generally required, except for indigent petitioners. A portion of this fee supports background checks and administration. Persons eligible for expungement can also request the sealing of any DNA records held in the state DNA database, provided all related charges have been dismissed.

Carteret County Arrest Warrants

A Carteret County arrest warrant is a judicial order that allows law enforcement to detain a specific individual suspected of a crime (N.C.G.S. § 15A-304). A warrant is issued grounded on probable cause, which requires sufficient evidence or sworn testimony indicating that a crime has been committed and identifying the suspect as the perpetrator. A judge, magistrate, or other authorized official may issue an arrest warrant if specific conditions suggest the individual should be detained. Factors considered include prior failure to appear, the likelihood of evasion, risk to public safety, or severity of the alleged offense.

Under N.C.G.S. § 15A-304, an arrest warrant contains the following elements:

• Crime statement: Description of the alleged offense.
• Probable cause: Affidavit or testimony showing evidence.
• Order for arrest: Directs law enforcement to detain the individual.
• Prompt appearance: Commands the arrestee to be brought to a judicial official without unnecessary delay.
• Issuing authority: Signature of an authorized official (magistrate, judge, etc.).

Do Carteret County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Carteret County arrest warrants generally do not expire. Once issued, they are active until the individual is arrested or the court formally recalls or quashes the warrant. Circumstances like procedural errors or judicial orders may impact a warrant's validity, but expiration is not standard.