Charlotte Arrest Records

In Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, law enforcement makes arrests when there is probable cause to believe a person has committed a crime. The records generated due to these arrests are called arrest records, and Charlotte, Mecklenburg's city arrest records are public records under North Carolina's public records laws. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) is responsible for making arrests within city limits and generating arrest records, and they are detained at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center. Charlotte's city arrest records may become part of a person's criminal records and, thus, North Carolina's Court records if they result in charges or convictions.

Are Arrest Records Public in Charlotte?

Yes, arrest records in Charlotte are public records under North Carolina's Public Records Law (NCGS § Chapter 132), with some specific exceptions. For example, the following records are exempt from disclosure:

• Records from ongoing or closed criminal investigations or intelligence files per (NCGS § 132-1.4)
• 911 call recordings older than 30 days
• Information identifying confidential informants
• Personally identifying data such as Social Security Numbers (SSN), driver's license numbers, bank account information, and fingerprints.

Charlotte dwellers can find out more information about public arrest records or other general inquiries at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Headquarters at:

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Headquarters
601 East Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

Charlotte Arrest Statistics

Charlotte's arrest statistics, as reported by the Mecklenburg Police Department, indicate that law enforcement made 11,300 arrests in 2023. This number comprised 8,773 males and 2,527 females. The categories with the highest arrest rates were:

• Simple assault - 2,117
• Drug or Narcotic offenses - 1,358
• Larceny - 1,216
• Unspecified assault - 838

Of the 11,300 arrests in the city, 3,309 were violent crimes, while 3,490 were property crimes.

Find Charlotte Arrest Records

To find a detained person in Charlotte, searchers can start by checking the primary detention center in the city, which is the Mecklenburg County Detention Center at:

Mecklenburg County Detention Center
801 East 4th Street
Charlotte NC 28202

Additionally, searchers can utilize the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Offender Search to locate an inmate within the state. There are no federal correctional facilities in the city. However, federal detainees awaiting trial are detained in county facilities. Interested persons can locate these federal detainees using the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator.

Charlotte Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The fundamental difference between Charlotte arrest records and criminal records is that an arrest record is a document of apprehension by law enforcement. In contrast, a criminal record shows the outcome of the legal process when it results in a conviction. An arrest is usually the first step, but it does not always result in a criminal record, as prosecutors can drop the charges, or the individual may be acquitted.

In Charlotte, criminal records are available through local enforcement agencies, such as the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. On the other hand, interested persons can access criminal records through the North Carolina Judicial Branch or the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Arrest records typically include:

• Information about the arrestee
• Date, time, and location of arrest
• Arresting agency

While criminal records include:

• Arrests leading to the charges
• Court dispositions
• Sentences, probation, and incarceration information

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Charlotte's arrest records remain on file and do not automatically disappear, even if prosecutors drop the charges, unless the person involved files for an expungement to remove them from public records. Thus, arrest records will remain on file whether charges are filed or not, are dismissed, persons are found not guilty, convicted, have a deferred prosecution, or receive a conditional discharge.

However, under North Carolina law (G.S. § 15A-145, 145.5), specific charges and arrests are eligible for expungement and removal from public view. These include:

• Arrests where charges are not filed
• Arrests where charges are dismissed
• Where the verdict was not guilty
• Arrests for first-time non-violent convictions after five years
• Arrests for first-time non-violent convictions after ten years

Charlotte Arrest Warrants

Charlotte arrest warrants are court-issued orders by judges or magistrates. It provides the legal foundation that permits law enforcement officers to detain an individual. Warrants are issued after law enforcement or a private citizen files a complaint. Probable cause for the arrest must be demonstrated, showing that the person named in the warrant has committed a crime. A magistrate or judge will review the evidence, typically consisting of sworn testimony or an affidavit. If approved, the arrest warrant will be signed and entered into the court and law enforcement records.

Charlotte arrest warrants are typically issued when:

• When an individual commits a crime but is not arrested immediately
• After an investigation to gather evidence before seeking to arrest
• A law enforcement official does not witness the offense

Do Charlotte Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Charlotte arrest warrants do not expire unless they are recalled, dismissed by the prosecutor, or executed, regardless of the type or severity of the offense. A person with a warrant issued for their arrest does not need to be notified before the warrant is served, so an individual with an outstanding warrant can be arrested at any time. For example, while there is a two-year statute of limitations on a misdemeanor from the date of the offense in Charlotte, per North Carolina Laws (NCGS § 15-1), once a warrant is issued, the statute of limitations is no longer relevant.

Expunge Charlotte Arrest Records

Expunging Charlotte arrest records means legally erasing the record from the public view. This provides individuals with such records an opportunity to have a clean slate for housing, employment, and other opportunities. Once the courts grant expungement, the arrest is as if it never occurred, as the records will be sealed or deleted from law enforcement databases accessible to the public.

To process an expungement request, applicants:

• Confirm eligibility, review North Carolina's expungement statutes, or consult an attorney.
• Require a copy of the criminal record, which they can get through the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Court's public terminal or from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
• Complete the appropriate form, which is available from the Mecklenburg County Courthouse or online at the North Carolina Courts website
• File the application with the Clerk of the Superior Court in Mecklenburg County for free with dismissed cases or $175 for conviction-related expungements.
• Wait for review by the District Attorney, SBI, and a superior court judge before receiving the order