Greene County Arrest Records

In Greene County, arrests may occur with or without a warrant. In both cases, there must be reasonable suspicion that a crime was committed before an arrest can be justified. Arrests that occur with issued warrants are based on presentation of factual evidence or probable cause.

On the flip side, arrests without warrants can occur when officers observe criminal activity and have a reasonable belief that immediate action is needed to ensure public safety or prevent the suspect’s escape. The Greene County Detention Center is the primary holding center for booking after an individual is arrested. At the center, detainees are held until court hearings or pending bail decisions.

The Greene County Sheriff’s Office Records Division is the primary agency in charge of establishing and preserving arrest records within the county’s jurisdiction. Arrest records typically include the arrested individual’s details, the date, time, and location of the arrest, the arresting officer, booking information, and mugshot (if available). Arrest records usually detail the initial charges, while court records document what happens after the arrest.

Beyond arrest details, Greene County Court Records reveal the intricacies of legal proceedings. They typically include filings, transcripts, and other necessary evidence.

Are Arrest Records Public in Greene County?

North Carolina's public records law states that records made or received by government agencies in relation to public interests may be made accessible to any member of the public. However, there are a few records exempt from public accessibility. These include: juvenile arrests, records of ongoing investigations, and sealed or expunged records.

Court records, such as convictions, dispositions, and filings, are public unless sealed by court order. Anyone may access public records through the sheriff's office, located at 301N Greene St., Snow Hill, NC 28580.

Greene County Arrest Statistics

Local law enforcement in Greene County records about 1,920 arrests per year. This figure includes all crimes that lead to detention in the county jail for any period of time. About 1,536 arrests in 2024 were for low-level offenses.

Although the county detention center has a capacity of 96 beds, 55% of its inmates are released weekly; thus, the county accommodates almost 2,000 individuals in its jail during the year. Most inmates stay in the county jail for a short time while awaiting their case resolution. In 2024, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office recorded 312 reported incidents.

Find Greene County Arrest Records

Arrest records can be accessed via the Greene County Clerk of Courts in Snowhill. These records can be requested as an online copy or a physical copy. To request an online copy, submit a public information request form through the website.

If the arrest led to detention, inmate records can be found using the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections (NCDAC) Offender Search tool. This is a state resource for accessing arrest records. To use this tool, visit the official website and enter the inmate’s name and DOC ID. The results would reveal the inmate’s location and projected release date.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator is used to search for individuals in federal prisons. To use this tool:

• Visit the official website of BOP Inmate Locator and locate the search tool.
• Input inmate name or BOP number and search.
• Results would show inmates originally from Greene County, but transferred to a federal prison.

Arrest records can also be obtained through the Local county sheriff's office. The county maintains daily arrest logs and booking reports.

Greene County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

While arrest records in Greene County document booking details, filed charges, and the arresting officer, criminal records encompass a broader history and include the final details of the case.

Arrest records are documents implying an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement. They do not indicate guilt, and may not reflect on a criminal record if charges are dropped. Arrest records are generally public unless they concern juveniles or sensitive information. They mostly focus on details of the arrest, often stating the date and location of arrest, the officer who made the arrest, and whether charges were dropped.

Criminal records, on the other hand, include the case outcome. They are a complete reflection of an individual's history or relationship with the authorities. Statewide criminal records usually include all past arrests, filed charges, court dispositions, prison records, and convictions.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Per North Carolina law, arrest records stay permanently on an individual's record even if there was no conviction. The only way to get rid of arrest records in North Carolina is by expungement. If they are not expunged, arrest records appear in background checks and may remain visible in online jail logs.

For a record to be expunged, the following criteria must be met:

• The offender was found not guilty.
• Charges were dismissed.
• The case was not prosecuted.
• Case dismissal through diversion programs.

In North Carolina, there is no waiting period for expungement for dismissals and non-guilty outcomes. Individuals can file for expungement immediately after the case is over.

However, for guilty verdicts, felonies, and misdemeanors, waiting periods apply. Non-violent misdemeanors have a five (5) year waiting period, while non-violent felonies have a ten (10) year waiting period. During this period, the following conditions must be met before filing for expungement:

• The individual must have completed all requirements of their sentence.
• There must be no pending charges.
• There must be no additional convictions during the waiting period.

If the case was dismissed through deferred prosecution, conditional discharge, or court-ordered treatment programs, the offender may be automatically eligible for expungement of the charge and arrest record.

Greene County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are judicial orders mandating law enforcement officials to locate, apprehend, and detain the named individual. Arrest warrants may be issued by either a magistrate or a district court judge. Law enforcement officers are required to bring the individual before a court once the warrant is issued.

In accordance with North Carolina law, officers do not need a warrant to arrest a person when a crime is committed in their presence. However, warrants are required for post-investigation arrests.

Warrants become necessary when an individual poses a flight risk, has the potential to harm others, or has failed to appear before the court despite prior notice. An arrest warrant usually contains the accused's name, the crime, details of probable cause, an arrest order, and the issuing judge’s signature.

Do Greene County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Unlike search warrants, arrest warrants have no expiration date. They remain active indefinitely until the individual is arrested, the case is dismissed, or a judge recalls the warrant. Arrest warrants issued in Greene County apply statewide and can be enforced by officers across North Carolina.

Although arrest warrants do not expire, they may be deemed invalid under certain conditions. These are:

• The accused appears in court before the arrest.
• Underlying charges relevant to the warrant are dismissed.
• New evidence reveals the warrant was issued in error.

In Greene County, the statute of limitations does not affect the validity of a warrant. However, it reveals how long the prosecution has to file charges. Arrest warrants can still be served and executed long after the statute of limitations expires.

Expunge Greene County Arrest Records

Under GS 15A-145, arrest records in Greene County, North Carolina, can be removed from public access through expunction.

Depending on the case verdict, the eligibility for expungement may vary. For a dismissed or not guilty verdict, the individual automatically qualifies to have their record expunged 30 days after the final judgment.

However, guilty verdicts and convictions have waiting periods and more stringent eligibility requirements. For instance, in addition to 5 or 10-year waiting periods, guilty verdicts and convictions must also fulfill the following conditions to qualify for expungement.

• There must be no pending charges.
• The sentence/penalty must have been completed.
• No new convictions during the waiting period.

To expunge a record,

• Identify the correct form: The state utilizes different forms depending on the offense. For instance, AOC-CR-287 is for non-guilty cases and dismissals, while AOC-CR-264 & AOC-CR-265 are for nonviolent felonies and misdemeanors.
• File a petition for expungement at the Greene County clerk's office. This AOC form can be obtained at nccourts.gov/forms. It is important to complete the correct form.

When submitting the form, additional documents, such as the docket or file number and proof of payment of expungement fees, should also be submitted.

• Payment of fees: Filing fees differ based on case outcomes. Cases with convictions pay a $175 fee, while dismissals and non-guilty cases attract no filing fees. Low-income applicants may be eligible for fee waivers.
• Review of applications: The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) then verifies the eligibility of the application.
• Judicial decision: The Greene County District Attorney then makes a decision to either accept or object to the expunction.

The entire process for dismissals could take between 3 and 6 months, and for convictions, 6-12 months.