Harnett County Arrest Records

In Harnett County, an arrest occurs when a person is taken into custody and transported to a facility—usually the Harnett County Detention Center—where they are processed before awaiting court proceedings to determine guilt or innocence. Per North Carolina General Statutes, local, state, and federal law enforcement are authorized to apprehend individuals caught violating state laws or suspected of engaging in criminal activities. Following an arrest, the arresting agency creates a detailed record documenting the event, known as the Harnett County arrest record. This document contains vital information about the individual, including personal details, the nature of the offense, booking information, and bail conditions.

Harnett County arrest records are one of many records that document a person's journey through the criminal justice system. Other records, like Harnett County court records, outline the legal processes that follow an arrest, including trial outcomes and sentencing.

Are Arrest Records Public in Harnett County?

Yes, arrest records in Harnett County are considered public information under the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1). This law mandates that all records generated by public agencies in the state, including arrest records, must be accessible to the public unless otherwise restricted by legal provisions or court orders.

Some records, however, are exempt from public access. These include documents that contain sensitive information, such as those involving minors, confidential informants, ongoing investigations, or victims of certain crimes. If an individual seeks access to restricted records, they may need to obtain a subpoena or court order from a North Carolina court.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Harnett County arrest records typically feature the following information:

• The arrestee's biodata
• Mugshot
• Current custody status and detention facility
• Date and time of booking
• The arresting agency and location of the arrest
• Detailed description of charges (e.g., type of offense, classification, status)
• Bail or bond information, along with conditions for release
• Date of any scheduled court appearances

Harnett County Crime Rate

Based on the most recent crime data from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), Harnett County law enforcement reported a cumulative 2,797 index offenses in 2022. The county's violent crime total stood at 412, while property crime accounted for the rest of the offenses reported.

Law enforcement recorded 13 homicides, 49 rapes, 37 robberies, and 313 aggravated assaults. Property crimes included 708 cases of larceny, 1,473 burglaries, and 204 motor vehicle thefts. The Harnett County Sheriff's Office also reported that over 2,511 individuals were apprehended for various offenses in the same year.

Harnett County Arrest Statistics

In 2022, law enforcement agencies in Harnett County made approximately 2,511 arrests for both Group A and Group B offenses. Group A offenses include more serious crimes such as assault, theft, and drug-related offenses, while Group B offenses are typically less severe and include charges like driving under the influence (DUI), disorderly conduct, and trespassing.

According to NCSBI data, the Harnett County Sheriff's Office made 71 arrests for DUI in 2022. Other Group B arrests included 27 for disorderly conduct, 4 for drunkenness, and 3 for gambling.

Find Harnett County Arrest Records

The Harnett County Sheriff's Office is the primary custodian of arrest records for individuals detained within the county's jurisdiction. Inquirers may obtain arrest-related information by reviewing the Sheriff's Felony Arrest Reports or sending an in-person or mail request to the Civil Division at:

Harnett County Sheriff's Office
Attention: Civil Division
P.O. Box 399
Lillington, NC 27546

Alternatively, interested members of the public may perform state-wide arrest record searches using the resources supplied by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. The options provided are as follows:

• Offender Public Information Search / Offender Locator: This allows users to obtain information regarding North Carolina state prison offenders, probationers, and parolees. However, county jail information is excluded
• Automated System Query: Allows users to create specialized reports based on selected criteria
• NC SAVAN Search: Notifies users about an offender's custody status
• N.C. Sex Offender Registry: Shows residential locations of registered sex offenders in North Carolina

Free Arrest Record Search in Harnett County

Interested members of the public may obtain arrest record information for free by querying local law enforcement agencies. The county Sheriff Department may provide uncertified criminal-related information to requesters at no cost unless they request physical copies of the record. Third party sites also provide limited arrest record information to users even though extensive information will be restricted to subscribed users.

Get Harnett County Criminal Records

Harnett County criminal records, or criminal history records, contain comprehensive information about an individual's involvement with the North Carolina criminal justice system, including arrests, charges, convictions, and sentences. In Harnett County, criminal records are a matter of public record and may be accessed by interested members of the public through the office of the Harnett County Clerk of Court. Inquirers may:

• Check for the record of interest using the courthouse public terminal at no cost
• Pay a statutory $25.00 fee to the Clerk, who will provide them a certified copy

The Harnett County Clerk's office also provides criminal background checks (also called the name-inquiry check) to interested and eligible persons.

This is a name-based search that will require applicants to provide the name of the record subject and any other information to aid the search further. Inquirers may visit the Clerk's Office Cashier's Division located on the 1st floor of the Courthouse, provide the person's name, and pay the $25.00 fee. Otherwise, mail a written request for a certified name inquiry check specifying the person's first and last name. Applications must include a $25.00 certified check or money order made payable to the Clerk of Superior Court and provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the copy. Requests may then be mailed to:

Clerk of Superior Court, Harnett County
301 W. Cornelius Harnett Blvd. Suite 100
Lillington, NC 27546
Phone: (910) 814-4555

Fingerprint-based searches may also be requested from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI). This service costs $14.00 and is often used for official purposes, such as background checks.

North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Information and Identification Section
Phone: (919) 582-8660
Email: CIIShelp@ncsbi.gov

Harnett County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Though arrest records and criminal records in Harnett County share some similarities, they differ significantly in scope and detail. Arrest records document instances when an individual is taken into custody, including basic information about the charges. These records do not establish guilt, as they merely reflect an arrest at the time of the incident.

On the other hand, criminal records offer a more detailed account of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. They contain information about prosecutions, court decisions, and sentencing following an arrest. Criminal records provide a more complete picture of a person's legal history, including outcomes from court proceedings and any subsequent punishments.

Arrest records are a part of a broader criminal record but are not definitive proof of guilt. Criminal records, on the other hand, include information about case resolutions and convictions that occur following legal proceedings in court.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Harnett County, as in the rest of North Carolina, arrests remain on an individual's record permanently unless an expungement is granted. Under NC Gen. Stat. § 15A, a person may file for expungement under the following circumstances:

• If the court dismisses the charges, the individual can petition to have the arrest removed from their record.
• If the arrest was based on a mistake, such as identity theft, the individual may apply for expungement.
• In rare cases where a pardon of innocence is granted, the arrest and conviction may be expunged.
• Successful completion of a diversion or deferred prosecution program can lead to eligibility for expungement.

Expunge Harnett County Arrest Records

The process of expunging arrest records in Harnett County follows the same procedure as other North Carolina counties:

• Obtain a Certificate of Verification of Prior Expunction – Start by obtaining this certificate from the eCourts filing page of the North Carolina Judicial Branch.
• Complete the appropriate expungement application form – Each type of offense has its own application form, and the correct form must be used to avoid delays. For instance, the form for a non-violent misdemeanor is different from the form used to expunge more specific charges, such as prostitution-related offenses.
• Submit the expunction petition – Submit the completed expunction petition, along with a $175 filing fee, unless the petitioner qualifies for a fee waiver. The waiver may be granted based on financial need and must be requested by submitting proof of such need to the court.

Harnett County Superior Court Clerk's Office
301 W. Cornelius Harnett Blvd,
Lillington, NC 27546
Phone: (910) 814-4600

Upon completing the expunction application, the court may issue a summary judgment or set a hearing to review the petition. If the court approves the petition, a notice of expunction will be sent to all relevant criminal justice agencies, ordering them to destroy the record of the arrest. The expunction process can take several weeks to complete.

Harnett County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Harnett County is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement to take an individual into custody. The provisions for the issuance of arrest warrants in North Carolina are outlined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-304. To be valid, a Harnett County arrest warrant should contain

• The subject's name – If the name is unknown, a physical description may be provided.
• A statement of the crime – The specific charges must be clearly stated in the warrant.
• The city or county of issuance – The location where the warrant was issued.
• The issuing officer's name and signature – A judge or magistrate must sign the warrant.
• The date and time of issuance – The time and date the warrant was signed.
• A copy of the affidavit of complaint – This affidavit is sworn testimony or evidence supporting probable cause for the arrest.

Harnett County Arrest Warrant Search

Requests for information about arrest warrants may be directed to the Harnett County Sheriff's Office. Inquirers may provide the subject's information to the records division along with any other information that may facilitate the search. The office also publishes a list of wanted persons, which may be valuable for finding persons with an active warrant against them. Further information regarding active warrants and wanted persons may be made to the Sheriff's Office at (866) 953-7226 or (910) 893-9111

Do Harnett County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants in Harnett County do not expire. According to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-741, arrest warrants remain active indefinitely until they are executed by law enforcement or recalled by the court. An active warrant authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest the subject at any time and location within North Carolina, per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-728.