Rockingham County Arrest Records

An arrest record is an official account of a person's arrest and detention by law enforcement agencies. In Rockingham County, NC, an arrest becomes necessary when an individual commits a crime and if there is evidence that a person has committed or may commit a criminal offense.

The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office, local Police Departments, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and other state or federal law enforcement agencies create arrest records when they take individuals into custody within Rockingham County. An arrest record plays a crucial role in the court process by documenting the probable reason for law enforcement action. Therefore, it is a vital component of Rockingham County court records.

In Rockingham County, inmates awaiting trials, transfer, and serving short-term sentences are detained at the Rockingham County Detention Center. Those serving long-term sentences are transferred to state or federal prisons.

Are Arrest Records Public in Rockingham County?

Yes, Rockingham County arrest records are public documents. According to Section 1, Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes, the public can obtain Rockingham County arrest and other public records at reasonable costs and time. However, personally identifying information such as social security numbers, home addresses, and financial details may be exempt from public disclosure for privacy concerns. Also, Rockingham County arrest records are inaccessible if they relate to:

• Sealed or expunged records
• Juveniles
• Ongoing investigations
• Victims and witnesses
• Medical and mental health
• Sensitive law enforcement information.

Members of the public seeking access to exempted Rockingham County arrest records must be the record owners, legally authorized individuals, or persons with judicial orders.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A public arrest record contains personal details of the arrestee, the circumstances leading to the arrest, and the conditions for the arrested person's release. Arrest records information includes but is not limited to the:

• Name, aliases, gender, date of birth, physical description, race, and last known residence of the arrestee
• Date, time, and location of the arrest
• Name and badge number of the arresting officer
• Booking number
• Charges against the individual and the legal statutes accused of violating
• Booking date, time, and mugshots
• Bail and bond information

Rockingham County Arrest Statistics

The FBI arrest statistics show a mixed trend in the number of reported arrest incidents within Rockingham County between 2021 and 2023. Rockingham County law enforcement agencies reported 3,219 arrests to the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program in 2023, which is higher than the 2,848 and 3,118 persons arrested within the county in 2022 and 2021. Within this period, drug/narcotics violations were the most common incidents, and 2,392 persons were arrested for drug-related offenses within the county. By comparison, this figure is more than double the 1,021 arrests for simple assaults (the next most common crime).

Find Rockingham County Arrest Records

Rockingham County arrest records are accessible online and offline. Record seekers should log in to the North Carolina Offender Public Information Search portal, enter the necessary information into the search tools, and look for arrest information on Rockingham County's current inmates’ arrest records. Also, inquirers can visit the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office or Detention Center during office hours at:

130 Justice Center Drive,
Reidsville,
NC 27320.

Alternatively, applicants can download a Criminal Background Check Form from the North Carolina Judicial Branch website:

• Complete the form
• Enclose a check/money order for $25.00, and submit it in person or by mail to the Rockingham County Clerk of Superior Court Office at:

The Rockingham County Judicial Center

170 Highway 65,
Reidsville,
NC 27320
P.O. Box 127,
Wentworth,
NC 27375.

Free Arrest Record Search in Rockingham County

Individuals seeking free access to Rockingham County arrest records should visit the North Carolina Offender Public Information Search Portal and use the search tools to access the arrest information of Rockingham County's inmates, parolees, and probationers.

Alternatively, record seekers may view arrest records through Public Access Terminals at the Rockingham County Justice Center. In addition, free access to Rockingham County arrest records may be available online through third-party websites.

Rockingham County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Although Rockingham County arrests and criminal records relate to an individual's interaction with the legal system, there are distinctions between both documents.

Rockingham County arrest records are law enforcement documents that provide details of arrests (this includes personal information, circumstances leading to arrests, and the terms for the release of the arrestees). In Rockingham and other parts of the United States, arrest records do not guarantee criminal convictions; arrestees remain innocent of their charges unless the courts state otherwise. Also, arrest records may not negatively impact their owners unless they result in criminal convictions.

Rockingham County criminal records are court-generated documents that outline the prosecutions, convictions, and incarceration of individuals for various activities under the Rockingham County criminal trial system. Criminal records are confirmatory documents. They are proof that the owner is legally guilty of a criminal offense. A criminal record may negatively impact the owner's social status, employment, education, and housing opportunities.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Per North Carolina law, arrest information may remain permanently on a person's record. However, record owners may petition the court to expunge them if they fulfill the qualifying criteria stipulated by the North Carolina General Statutes 15A-145.5.

Expunge Rockingham County Arrest Records

In Rockingham County, the expungement of arrest records depends on the nature of the charges and the case outcome. Per North Carolina laws, a Rockingham County arrest record owner may petition the county's Superior Court to expunge arrest records if they fulfill the following qualifying criteria and observe the waiting periods:

• Dismissed charges or acquittal - no waiting period is required
• Non-violent misdemeanor conviction- 5 years after completion of the sentence
• Non-violent felonies- 10 years after completing the sentence for the crime
• Drug offenses- immediately after completing a diversion program or deferred prosecution.

Also, a petitioner seeking to seal or expunge Rockingham County arrest records must have no pending criminal charges when filing the expungement petition and must have served the sentence resulting from the arrest.

Eligible records owners seeking to expunge Rockingham County arrest records should apply the following steps:

• Obtain certified copies of criminal records from the North Carolina SBI Request Form portal
• Gather supporting documents necessary for completing the expungement petition
• Download and complete the appropriate Petition and Order of Expungement Form from the North Carolina Judicial Branch website.
• Attach the supporting documents to the expungement form and file a petition at the Rockingham County Clerk of Superior Court.
• Serve a copy of the petition to the Rockingham County District Attorney's Office.
• Attend any hearing that the court schedules to review the petition
• The judge will issue orders to seal or remove the arrest records if the petition is successful
• Follow up, ensure that all relevant agencies comply with the court order, and seal or remove the specific records from public domains.

Rockingham County Arrest Warrants

Rockingham County arrest warrants are legal documents authorizing law enforcement to apprehend individuals named on the warrants. A Rockingham County judge/magistrate may issue an arrest warrant if there is evidence by law enforcement or the District Attorney's Office that a person has committed a crime, is a risk to the public, or flouts court orders.

A valid Rockingham County arrest warrant must contain the following information or more:

• Name, aliases, physical description of the subject
• Date of issuance of the warrant
• Name and seal of the issuing court
• Charges against the subject and the sections of the laws allegedly breached
• Name and signature of the issuing magistrate/judge
• Geographical jurisdiction of the warrant
• Instructions to law enforcement on how to execute the warrant.

Do Rockingham County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Rockingham County arrest warrants do not have expiration dates. In the United States, once a court issues an arrest warrant, it remains active until law enforcement apprehends the subject of the warrant. However, an arrest warrant becomes inactive if the subject dies or the court recalls it.