Lenoir County Arrest Records

In Lenoir County, arrests are part of the systems established to maintain public safety and ensure that individuals suspected of breaking the law are held accountable. Law enforcement officers in the county are authorized to make arrests with or without a warrant, depending on the situation, in compliance with state law.

When an individual is arrested in Lenoir County, they are typically taken to the W.E. "Billy" Smith Detention Center, the county's pre-trial holding facility. Here, they undergo processing or booking, during which the individual's personal information is recorded, including their biodata, mugshot, fingerprints, and details of the arrest. The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office maintains these records, which are known as arrest records. They are managed alongside other judicial records like Lenoir County Court Records and have various legal applications.

Are Arrest Records Public in Lenoir County?

Yes, arrest records in Lenoir County are considered public records under the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1). This law mandates that all documents created by public officials, including arrest records, must be made available to the public for inspection and copying unless they are subject to specific exemptions. Some common exemptions include:

• Records pertaining to minors and vulnerable persons
• Records that are sealed or expunged per court order
• Information related to ongoing investigations
• Identifying information of witnesses or informants

Despite these restrictions, confidential information may still remain accessible to authorized government agencies and may be subpoenaed during legal proceedings.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Lenoir County typically include the following information:

• Personal identifying information of the arrestee
• Their mugshots and fingerprints
• Arresting agency and officer's details
• Current charges and any prior criminal history
• Court date and location
• Booking details, including booking number, date, and detention facility

Lenoir County Crime Rate

Based on the most recent statistics from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), law enforcement agencies in Lenoir County reported 767 index offenses in 2022. According to the report, there were 9 murders reported, 7 incidents of rape, 7 robberies and 113 reports of aggravated assault. Property crimes were purported to be more frequent, with 165 reports of burglary, 403 larceny, and 63 incidents of motor vehicle theft. Notwithstanding, independent reports suggest that the county's law enforcement has demonstrated efforts to reduce crime by focusing on community policing and other crime prevention strategies.

Lenoir County Arrest Statistics

In 2022, the NCSBI reported that 886 arrests were performed in Lenoir County. The most frequent offenses for which there were arrests were:

• Assault - Aggravated: 25
• Other Assaults - Not Aggravated: 57
• Stolen Property - Buying, Receiving and Possession: 23
• Weapons Possession: 23
• Drug Possession: 69
• Driving Under the Influence: 23

There were 600 arrests recorded for other offenses. On the other hand, the crimes for which there were the least arrests were forcible rape, arson, forgery and counterfeiting, embezzlement, and sex offenses - each of which had one arrest.

Find Lenoir County Arrest Records

The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for individuals detained within the county. Those seeking arrest information can visit the Sheriff's Office in person or contact the Records Division via mail or phone at:

Lenoir County Sheriff's Office
P.O. Box 3289,
Kinston, NC 28502
Phone: (252) 559-6100
Fax: (252) 527-3854

On the Sheriff's website, inquirers may also use the Incident Report Form to request information regarding the arrest.

At the state level, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety provides a comprehensive Criminal Offender Search tool that allows interested persons to obtain information on incarcerated persons across the state. Inquirers may utilize the Offender Public Information Search / Offender Locator to search for inmates by name or I.D. number. Alternatively, they may send a Public Records Request to the state DPS for arrest-related information.

Free Arrest Record Search in Lenoir County

To conduct a free arrest record search in Lenoir County, interested parties can query the County Sheriff's Office or utilize inmate-inquiry resources maintained by local police departments. In most cases, government-operated resources will be accessible for free, and users will only be charged a fee if they request physical copies of a record.

Similarly, some third-party websites also offer free access to public arrest records. These websites collect data from government sources and provide search tools that allow users to retrieve arrest records by entering information such as the arrestee's full name or case number. However, most aggregate sites will only provide extensive information to paying users. Additionally, information from these sources may not be as accurate, up-to-date, or complete as data obtained directly from official government sources.

Get Lenoir County Criminal Records

Lenoir County criminal records provide a broader view of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, including arrests, court trials, convictions, and sentencing. Like arrest records, criminal records are public documents, but not all information within them is available to the public.

Interested persons can obtain Lenoir County criminal records through the County Sheriff's Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), and the County Clerk's Office.

In order to access Lenoir County criminal records from the county Sheriff's office, inquirers may query the department's records division in person or via mail. However, more extensive information is available to persons who request these records through the NCSBI Right to Review program. For a $15 fee, individuals can request their own criminal history record via a fingerprint-based search. A written request and proof of identity are required to complete the process. Applications may be addressed to:

North Carolina Department of Adult Correction
c/o Public Information Office
MSC 4202
Raleigh, NC 27699-4202
Email: webmaster@doc.state.nc.us.

Like other counties in North Carolina, the Lenoir County Clerk of Court offers criminal record searches for a statutory fee of $25. Individuals must submit a records request form in person or via mail at

130 S. Queen Street
Kinston, NC 28501
P.O. Box 68
Phone: (252) 520-5300

Lenoir County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

While both arrest records and criminal records are part of an individual's interaction with the judicial system, they serve different purposes. Arrest records document instances where law enforcement has taken an individual into custody under suspicion of committing a crime. These records include information about the arrest but do not determine the individual's guilt or innocence.

On the other hand, criminal records provide a comprehensive history of an individual's criminal activity, including arrests, trials, and convictions. Unlike arrest records, criminal records contain proof of guilt and details about sentencing and incarceration.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Lenoir County, arrest records remain on an individual's criminal history indefinitely unless they are expunged, sealed, or restricted from public access by a court order. According to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-151.5, the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts may provide access to confidential or expunged records to authorized individuals, such as law enforcement officers or parties involved in a legal matter. However, without expungement or sealing, arrest records are permanent.

Expunge Lenoir County Arrest Records

Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-145, certain types of offenses are eligible for expunction; They include cases in which:

• The charges were dismissed.
• The individual was found not guilty.
• The arrest occurred due to mistaken identity.
• The conviction was for a non-violent misdemeanor or certain low-level felonies (such as Class H or I).
• The individual was under 18 or 21 at the time of the offense, depending on the nature of the crime.

To expunge an arrest record in Lenoir County:

• Verify that the offense qualifies for expungement under North Carolina law and that any applicable statutory waiting period has passed.
• File an expunction petition with the Clerk of Court in Lenoir County. A separate petition must be filed for each arrest, and the specific type of expunction petition will depend on the nature of the charge.
• Pay the $175 filing fee (unless the individual qualifies for a fee waiver - in which case the petitioner may file the required application)
• Attend the scheduled court hearing to determine whether the expungement request will be granted
• If the expunction is approved - receive the order of expungement; if not, consider appealing the denial
• Forward the order to relevant government agencies or let the clerk's office handle it.

Lenoir County Arrest Warrants

Lenoir County arrest warrants authorize law enforcement officers to arrest an individual suspected of committing a crime. They typically outline the reasons for the arrest, the crime alleged, and the identity of the individual to be arrested. To issue an arrest warrant, a judge must determine that probable cause exists, supported by a sworn affidavit from a law enforcement officer. Warrants are typically justified by:

• The failure of an individual to respond to a court summons.
• The risk that the individual may flee the jurisdiction.
• Concerns that the individual poses a danger to others or their property.

Lenoir County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals seeking information about active arrest warrants in Lenoir County may contact the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office. Although the Sheriff's Office does not provide an online warrant search tool, they can be contacted by phone, email, or through in-person inquiries.

Do Lenoir County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Lenoir County, arrest warrants do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until the individual is arrested, brought to court, or the court recalls the warrant. If the warrant's subject leaves the jurisdiction, its execution will only be delayed. However, the warrant will stay valid unless legal actions are taken to resolve it.