Catawba County Arrest Records

Catawba County arrest records are official documents detailing the circumstances surrounding an individual's apprehension and detention within county limits. Once a person is arrested, they undergo a booking process. This process includes collecting personal information (name, date of birth, address), fingerprinting, taking mugshots, performing a full-body search, and confiscating items of note. It is during this process that arrest records are generated.

In Catawba County, North Carolina, the arresting agency is responsible for generating arrest records. However, other entities may maintain them, including local police departments, county jail facilities, the district attorney's office, and the courts. When the prosecutor and court proceedings file charges are initiated, the arrest record becomes part of the Catawba County court record and is used throughout the judicial process.

Are Arrest Records Public in Catawba County?

Yes, arrest records in Catawba County are public records under the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1 et seq.). This law defines public records as documents or materials made or received by any North Carolina government agency, including arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies within Catawba County. Consequently, members of the public are entitled to request and obtain copies of arrest records from the Catawba County Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments, and other government entities that maintain such records.

However, there are exceptions to public disclosure under North Carolina law, specifically under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4, which governs the confidentiality of certain law enforcement records. According to this statute, some portions of an arrest record may not be publicly disclosed if they could:

• Compromise the safety of individuals
• Interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation
• Violate an individual's right to a fair trial
• Reveal sensitive personal information
• Lead to the improper administration of justice

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The contents of a Catawba County arrest record can vary depending on the case and the individual's history. Generally, publicly accessible arrest records include:

• Personal Information: Full name, date of birth, known aliases, residential address, and mugshot
• Physical Description: Race, gender, ethnicity, height, weight, eye color, hair color, scars, tattoos, and other distinguishing features
• Arrest Information: Date and time of arrest, the law enforcement agency responsible, and the county where the arrest occurred
• Charges: Specific offense(s), including whether the charge is a felony or misdemeanor
• Arrest Warrants: Any warrants that may have led to the arrest
• Bail/Bond Information: Details of bail amounts and any release conditions
• Previous Arrests: Record of any past arrests, if applicable
• Event Details: Circumstances leading up to the arrest, such as witness reports or police observations

Catawba County Crime Rate

According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), Catawba County's total index crimes stood at 3,586 in 2022, with property crimes generally being more prevalent than violent crimes. According to the report, there were 587 reports of burglary, 2,256 incidents of larceny and 303 motor vehicle thefts. Violent crimes, on the other hand, included 17 murders, 71 rapes, 37 robberies and 315 aggravated assaults.

In the same year, Catawba County law enforcement reported 4,416 arrests for various crimes within county limits. County residents were most detained for the following offenses (alleged):

• Assault - Aggravated: 102
• Burglary - Breaking and Entering: 85
• Larceny - Theft: 189
• Driving Under the Influence: 162
• Other Assaults - Not Aggravated: 329
• Drug Possession: 477
• Drunk & Disorderly Conduct: 83

Find Catawba County Arrest Records

Catawba County arrest records can be accessed through direct inquiries to the Catawba County Sheriff's Office or through the Sheriff's Who's in Jail platform.

Online Search for Catawba County Arrest Records

To obtain a copy of an arrest record from the Catawba County Sheriff's Office, individuals can submit a request either in person or by mail. While the Sheriff's Office typically provides arrest record information for free, a nominal fee may be charged for certified copies or extensive searches. To request arrest records by mail, submit a written request including all relevant information, such as the full name of the individual, date of arrest, and other identifying details. Mail the request to:

Catawba County Sheriff's Office
100 Government Drive
Newton, NC 28658
Phone: (828) 464-5241

For in-person requests, visit the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours and request records at the records division.

On the other hand, inquirers may access recent arrest information through the 'Who's in Jail' portal. The platform provides information such as the inmate's mugshot, date confined, full name, age, and address, as well as the charge, bond amount, and arresting agency. The platform is searchable by the arrestee's name or date of confinement.

Free Arrest Record Search in Catawba County

Residents of Catawba County can search for arrest records online for free through the Catawba County 'Who's in Jail' platform. Also, Free arrest record searches can also be conducted through third-party websites, which often aggregate public arrest information from various sources. While these third-party databases are not free in all cases, they may provide free trials or limited-time access for individuals looking to conduct broader searches.

Get Catawba County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Catawba County, sometimes referred to as a "rap sheet," document an individual's interaction with law enforcement, including arrests, charges, convictions, and sentences. Criminal records are different from arrest records in that they include more comprehensive information about an individual's history with the criminal justice system.

To access criminal records in Catawba County, inquirers may query the Records Division of the Catawba County Sheriff's Office or submit a request to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), which maintains a centralized repository of criminal information for the entire state. Certified criminal records may also be requested through the Catawba County Clerk of Court, where court clerks maintain records for all criminal cases heard in the county.

To obtain a copy of criminal records, fill out and submit Form AOC-CR-314 (the records request form) to the Clerk's office, along with a $25 fee. For mail requests, payment must be made by certified check or money order. In-person requests can be paid by cash, credit card, money order, or certified check.

Catawba County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

An arrest record is created when an individual is apprehended by law enforcement, booked, and taken into custody. This document includes personal information about the individual, details about the arrest (such as the date, time, and location), the arresting officer's name, and the charges filed.

However, being arrested does not automatically result in a criminal record. After an arrest, if the prosecutor decides there is enough evidence, formal charges are filed, and the case proceeds to court. If the individual is convicted of the charges, the conviction will become part of their criminal record. If the individual is acquitted or the charges are dismissed, there will be no conviction, and the person will only have an arrest and court records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Catawba County?

Indefinitely. Catawba County arrest records remain on an individual's record indefinitely unless they are expunged or sealed. However, while expungement removes the record from public access, it does not entirely erase the record from all systems—law enforcement agencies and certain government bodies may still have access to the expunged information.

Expunge Catawba County Arrest Records

To apply for an expungement in Catawba County, the petitioner must meet specific criteria and provide the following:

• An affidavit stating that the petitioner has maintained good behavior
• Affidavits from two individuals who live in the same community as the petitioner, who are not related by blood or marriage, attesting to the petitioner's good character and reputation.
• A request for a state and national criminal record check conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation to verify the petitioner's identity and ensure that no previous expungements have been granted.
• A signed affidavit confirming that the petitioner has no outstanding court-ordered fines, restitution, or civil judgments related to the case.

Once the petition is filed, a hearing is held in the Catawba County Superior Court, where a judge will determine whether the petitioner meets the legal requirements for expungement. If the court finds that the individual has remained of good moral character, has not been convicted of any further crimes, and that all other conditions are met, the court will grant the expungement. The individual's legal status will then be restored to what it was prior to the arrest.

Once an expungement is granted, the arrest must be removed from the records of the court, law enforcement agencies, and any government agency that has custody of the record.

Catawba County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Catawba County is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate, authorizing law enforcement officers to arrest and detain an individual accused of committing a crime. The warrant must include:

• The name of the suspect (or a sufficient description if the name is unknown).
• A description of the crime.
• An order for the suspect to be brought before a court.

In North Carolina, the requirements for arrest warrants are defined under G.S. 15A-304.

To issue a warrant, law enforcement must provide a sworn affidavit or oral testimony establishing probable cause that a crime has been committed and that the individual named in the warrant is responsible. Probable cause means there is enough evidence to believe that the person committed the crime.

Law enforcement officers in Catawba County can execute an arrest warrant within their territorial jurisdiction. Additionally, under G.S. 15A-401, officers may arrest individuals without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that immediate arrest is necessary to prevent harm to the suspect or others, or to prevent the destruction of evidence.

Catawba County Arrest Warrant Search

Residents of Catawba County who are concerned about active arrest warrants can inquire with the Catawba County Sheriff's Office to determine whether a warrant has been issued in their name. Arrest warrants are considered public records once they have been executed and returned to the court, as outlined in G.S. 132-1.4(k). To request information about arrest warrants, individuals can visit the Sheriff's Office in person or contact them by phone:

Catawba County Sheriff's Office
100 Government Drive
Newton, NC 28658
Phone: (828) 464-5241

In addition, some warrant information may be accessible through the Catawba County Sheriff's Office website or other government platforms.

Do Catawba County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Catawba County, like elsewhere in North Carolina, do not expire. Once issued, a warrant remains active until the individual is apprehended or the case is otherwise resolved. This means that a warrant can be served at any time, regardless of how long it has been since the warrant was issued.