Pasquotank County Arrest Records

According to G.S. 15A-401, a law enforcement officer may apprehend a suspect within their territorial jurisdiction if they have or know of an existing warrant for arrest or have a reasonable belief that a crime occurred.

Arrested individuals in Pasquotank County are taken into police custody for questioning and booking. Adult arrestees are typically taken to the Albemarle District Jail. Minors (individuals under 18) are placed in a secure, temporary facility (called a juvenile detention center) pending their hearing, disposition, or residential placement.

Booking (or processing) is the official process that documents an arrestee's biometric data, crime, and other pertinent information and creates the arrest record. Arrest records may be required for court proceedings, and certain arrest information may be accessible in the Pasquotank County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Pasquotank County?

Yes. North Carolina's Public Records Law (G.S. § 132-1, et seq.) allows law enforcement agencies to disclose records of arrests made within their jurisdiction to the public upon request.

Nonetheless, specific records are highlighted as "confidential" and may be withdrawn or redacted from public access. For example, records whose disclosure would threaten an individual's physical safety/mental well-being or interfere with a criminal justice process are not released to the public. Other restricted records include those whose dissemination would:

• Impede a person's right to justice or chances of fair prosecution.
• Reveal confidential criminal investigation or criminal intelligence information.
• Disclose details about a minor's arrest or prosecution.
• Violate a federal or state law.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Members of the public can expect to find the following information in a public arrest record in Pasquotank County, as per G.S. 132-1.4(c):

• Arrested person's name, age, sex, race, last known address, and occupation at the time of the arrest.
• Photograph (mugshot) of the arrestee
• Arrestee's physical description, such as their eye color, hair color, weight, height, and scars/tattoos
• Offense/charges for which a person was arrested
• Circumstances around the arrest, including whether the suspect was pursued, caught with weapons, or surrendered voluntarily
• Date, time, and location of the arrest
• Arresting agency
• Bond amount

Pasquotank County Arrest Statistics

North Carolina's State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) publishes comprehensive arrest statistics from various law enforcement departments across the state. According to the NCSBI's Summary Report, Pasquotank County accounted for 698 arrests in 2023, 11.083% lower than the previous year (which had 785 arrests). Offenses causing the highest number of arrests in Pasquotank County that year were non-aggravated assault (61), marijuana possession (37), and aggravated assault (20).

Find Pasquotank County Arrest Records

Individuals can explore various channels to find Pasquotank County arrest records, including:

Local Law Enforcement

Per the NC Public Records Law, law enforcement departments can provide public resources for finding Pasquotank County arrest records. Hence, interested persons may approach an arresting agency to submit a public records request for arrest information.

For example, the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office records division processes record requests during official business hours. To find records, the office may require details like the full name of the arrested individual, the time and date of the arrest, and the circumstances of the arrest.

People can contact the Sheriff's office using the following details:

Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office
200 East Colonial Avenue
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 338-2191
Fax: (252) 338-1667

Likewise, police departments in Pasquotank, including the Elizabeth City PD, may publish recent arrest information on their online police-to-citizen (P2C) portals.

Clerk of Superior Courts

The Pasquotank County Superior Court Clerk's Office handles requests for criminal court records, which may list some arrest information. Interested persons can visit the courthouse during working hours at 206 East Main Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909, for inquiries.

Another way of requesting court information is to complete and submit the Criminal Record Search Form AOC-CR-314 via mail to the:

Pasquotank County Courthouse
P.O. Box 449
Elizabeth City, NC 27907

Official record requests using Form AOC-CR-314 cost $25, payable by certified check, card, or money order. Nonetheless, non-certified record checks can be conducted for free at a self-service terminal within the county courthouse.

Another place to retrieve court records is through the North Carolina eCourts Portal.

North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections (NCDAC)

The NCDAC provides a public offender information search system where one can find information on current inmates. This platform allows members of the public to find information about people who were arrested or indicted and sent to state prison. Necessary search parameters include an offender's name and number. However, providing other search criteria such as date of birth, incarceration status, and ethnicity helps to filter the search.

Additionally, requesters may fill out and submit a FOIA public records request form in person, by mail, or via phone to the following address:

NC Department of Adult Correction
4201 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4201
Phone: (919) 733-2126

U.S. Bureau of Prisons

Occasionally, federal agents may apprehend an individual within Pasquotank County for violating a federal penal code. Anyone who wishes to find information about anyone incarcerated in a federal prison (which the U.S. Bureau of Prisons runs) can utilize the BOP's inmate search utility or fill out and submit a FOIA request form to the agency.

Free Arrest Record Search in Pasquotank County

Criminal justice agencies are not the only channels for retrieving arrest information. Several third-party vendors provide online databases/websites for individuals interested in performing free public record searches in Pasquotank County.

Third-party sites collate and compile data from various public offices, including law enforcement. As a result, individuals can focus their search on one platform rather than exploring multiple platforms. Regardless, users may be charged a nominal fee to view or print comprehensive arrest records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. Arrests remain part of a person's criminal record until they obtain an expungement. Under G.S. § 15A-146 (a4), the court may automatically expunge arrest records of individuals who were never found guilty of a crime or whose charges were dismissed. All other expungements must be sought by application, as explained below.

However, law enforcement agencies may retain or destroy documents related to an ongoing criminal investigation, including an arrest, based on the Program Records Schedule: Local Government Agencies and County Sheriff's Office Records Retention and Disposition Schedule.

Expunge Pasquotank County Arrest Records

Individuals who satisfy the eligibility requirement in Article 5 of the North Carolina General Statutes (G.S. § 15A-145 through 15A-153) may apply for an expungement (expunction) of their arrest record.

An expunction is a legal procedure for removing a criminal charge/conviction from a person's record. If an expunction is granted, it is not considered perjury when the individual claims that a related arrest, charge, or conviction never happened. However, G.S. § 15A-153 (e) provides statutory exceptions on how and when expunged records can be used.

The expungement process in Pasquotank County starts with filling and submitting a petition for an expunction with the Clerk of the Superior Court, provided the applicant is not exempt by law. Petitioners can obtain the relevant forms from the Clerk's office or the NC Judiciary's Forms page.

A $175 filing fee may apply for the expunction process. However, arrests leading to dismissed charges, not guilty verdicts, or related to a minor are usually expunged for free. Applicants can also file an expunction petition as an indigent if they cannot advance the required costs.

Pasquotank County Arrest Warrants

Per G.S. § 15A-304, Pasquotank County arrest warrants are legal directives issued by judicial officers directing the police to apprehend criminal suspects. Before a court can release an arrest warrant, the affiant (peace officer requesting the warrant) is expected to provide probable cause for the arrest. Probable cause simply refers to circumstances that necessitate taking a person into custody, including the possibility of fleeing prosecution.

A Pasquotank County arrest warrant contains the suspect's name or description and last known address, the offense they are suspected of committing, and the arresting agency charged with executing the warrant.

Do Pasquotank County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Arrest warrants remain legally valid until executed by the police or recalled by the court. In some cases, suspects may voluntarily surrender or fulfill the judicial obligations required of them to resolve their warrants.