Greensboro Arrest Records

Most arrests in Greensboro are made by either the Greensboro Police Department or the Guilford County Sheriff's Office, the key law enforcement agencies operating in Greensboro. As in any other place in North Carolina, peace officers in Greensboro arrest individuals when there's probable cause to believe a crime has been committed, is being committed, or will be committed (N.C.G.S. § 15A-401). Individuals arrested in Greensboro are booked into the Greensboro or High Point Detention Center, both operated by the Guilford County Sheriff's Office.

During booking, officers collect and record the arrestee's personal information, mugshots, fingerprints, personal property, and the arrest details (e.g., charges, time, location). This information is submitted to the State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), the Guilford County inmate database, and other systems like prosecutor dockets, the North Carolina Criminal Justice Information Network (CJIN), and Guilford County Arrest Records.

Are Greensboro Arrests Public Record?

Yes. Arrests in Greensboro are public records under the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1). This means most arrests and arrest-related records generated by law enforcement agencies in Greensboro, including booking logs, mugshots, charges, incidents, and police reports, are public records and are available for public inspection and copying unless exempted. Those exempt or restricted under the law from disclosure include:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Medical or mental health records
• Expunged or sealed arrest records
• Arrest information related to ongoing law enforcement investigations
• Victim identities in sexual assault or domestic violence cases.

Generally, access to restricted or exempt files or records may require a court order and proof of a direct and tangible interest (e.g., being the subject of the record).

Greensboro Crime Rate

Based on annual reports from the Greensboro Police Department (2021–2023):

• Homicides rose 56% in 2023, from 41 to 74, the highest in three years, reversing prior declines.
• Aggravated assaults dropped slightly in 2023 to 1,880 (a 1% decrease), maintaining a relatively stable pattern since 2021
• Robberies increased by 8% in 2023 compared to 2021 and 2022, when they experienced sustained sharp declines.
• Gun seizures fell 14% over three years, down to 1,515 in 2023, possibly reflecting fewer illegal firearms.
• Traffic fatalities dropped 17% to 38 in 2023, continuing a downward trend since 2021
• Overdoses increased to 653 in 2023 (up 5%), continuing a steady multi-year increase.

Find Greensboro Arrest Records

To obtain arrest records in Greensboro, submit a completed "Request For Record of Charges/Arrests" form and a valid photo ID to the Greensboro PD Records Division at 100 Police Plaza, Greensboro, NC 27402 (Tel: (336) 373-2496). The first copy of any requested arrest record is free; each additional copy costs $0.25. Note that the Records Division only holds files for arrests made by the Greensboro Police Department and does not certify reports. For certified records, visit Room U-10 at the Guilford County Courthouse; the service costs $25.

Additionally, arrest records from the Guilford County Sheriff's Office can be requested in person, by mail, phone, or fax for individuals apprehended in Greensboro or elsewhere in the county.

Guilford County Sheriff's Office
400 W. Washington Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 641-3694
Fax: (336) 641-6729
Email: sheriff@guilfordcountync.gov.

Alternatively, individuals can find information on Greensboro detainees through the Guilford County "Inmate Inquiry Catalog" and recent countywide arrests, including those from Greensboro, in the sheriff's "Recent Arrests Catalog".

Free Arrest Record Search in Greensboro

The public can conduct free searches of Greensboro arrest records through requests to the Greensboro Police Department's Records Division. While the initial copy of a record is free, additional copies, if required, will attract a fee. Alternatively, the public can use these online catalogs by the Guilford County Sheriff's Office to look up Greensboro arrest information for free:

• Recent Arrests Catalog: Lists recent arrests within Guilford County (including Greensboro). Provide details like name, age, gender, physical description, arrest date, and location.
• Inmate Inquiry Catalog: Lists current inmates at the Greensboro Detention Center, including name, arrest date, charges, booking agency, bond, and mugshot.

Third-party public records websites also offer free access to public arrest records; however, these sites may only provide free access to basic records, with detailed reports often requiring a fee.

Criminal Background Check in North Carolina

The North Carolina SBI is the central source for criminal history records, offering background checks to individuals, employers, and authorized agencies.

Name-Based Criminal History Check

The North Carolina SBI doesn't offer public name-based checks. Individuals seeking their records must use the fingerprint-based process.

Fingerprint-Based Criminal History Checks

• NC State-Only Check (Right to Review): For personal use only to verify the accuracy of one's record. The fee is $14. Use the "Request for Access to Criminal History Record Information" form to submit a request.
• National Identity History Summary Check: Used to obtain nationwide criminal records from the FBI for $18. Individuals can submit a request online or by mail. Request instructions are available via the FBI's Rap Sheet Request site.

Employer & Licensing Checks

Only authorized organizations can access statewide criminal history records in North Carolina for employment or licensing. They must:

• Have an Access Agreement with the NCSBI
• Submit fingerprints through approved methods
• Provide legal justification (state, federal, or local law)

To request access, agencies must contact the SBI's Access Integrity Unit.

Background Checks on Others

Private individuals can request name-based criminal background checks through their county's clerk of the superior court. This check covers only local court records, not statewide. To conduct a check, fill out and submit the "Criminal Record Search" form with a $25 fee by mail or in person to the clerk's office.

Greensboro Inmate Search

Greensboro arrestees may be sent to state prisons if convicted of felonies or given sentences beyond local jail capacity. To find such inmates, use the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections (NCDAC) Offender Search portal. The portal allows searches by full name, offender number, gender, birth date, ethnic group, and race.

Greensboro Police Record Lookup

Interested individuals can request police records, such as incident reports, arrest affidavits, and CAD (computer-aided dispatch) call summaries, through the Greensboro Police Department. One way to do this is to visit the Records Division at Police Headquarters (100 Police Plaza, Greensboro, NC 27402) with a photo ID and sufficient information (e.g., names, dates, or case numbers). The other is to submit a request remotely through the department's LexisNexis portal. Call the Greensboro PD's records desk at (336) 373-2496 for help or inquiries.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Greensboro?

Arrest records in Greensboro remain on file indefinitely unless expunged or sealed under NC Gen. Stat. § 15A through petition. Without expungement or sealing, records will appear in background checks. In most cases, even after expungement, mugshot websites and third-party databases may still display a person's arrest records unless the subject contacts them directly to request removal.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free in Greensboro?

Under NC Gen. Stat. § 15A-145, individuals in Greensboro may qualify for expungement of their arrest records if:

• Charges were dismissed or resulted in a not guilty verdict
• The arrest was due to mistaken identity
• The offense was a first-time nonviolent act
• A substance abuse program was completed for a drug-related charge

Eligible individuals can file for expungement without an attorney (in propria persona) and request a fee waiver. The steps are:

• Download and complete the appropriate expunction petition from the NC Courts website
• Obtain a Certificate of Verification of prior expunctions via eCourts Guide & File.
• Submit a fee waiver affidavit to request an exemption from the $175 filing fee.
• File the completed form, fee waiver affidavit, and other documents (where necessary) with the Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court in Greensboro.

The court reviews the petition, supporting documents, and any objections (e.g., from the district attorney). If approved, an order is issued to seal or destroy the records. Processing typically takes 1–3 months.

Note: Legal Aid of North Carolina and the Guilford County Public Defender's Office offer expungement clinics and filing support.

Greensboro Warrant Search

In Greensboro, arrest warrants authorize law enforcement to detain individuals suspected of a crime, and bench warrants authorize peace officers to arrest and bring a person before the court. The Guilford County Sheriff's Office and the Greensboro PD handle warrant service within the county. To check warrant status, contact the Sheriff's Warrant Squad, the Greensboro Magistrate's Office, or the Greensboro PD at:

GCSO Warrant Office (Greensboro)
201 South Edgeworth Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 641-2727
Fax: (336) 641-6719

Greensboro Magistrate's Office
201 South Edgeworth Street
Greensboro, NC 27401

Greensboro Police Department - Records Division
100 Police Plaza,
Greensboro, NC 27402
Phone: (336) 373-2496

Note that appearing in person with an active warrant may result in immediate arrest.

Do Greensboro Warrants Expire?

In Greensboro, felony and misdemeanor warrants remain active until executed by an arrest. They do not expire automatically. However, they can become void or invalid if the issuing judge recalls, the defendant dies, or the underlying charges are dismissed.