Iredell County, North Carolina Arrest Records

Per G.S. 15A-401(C), an arrest occurs when an individual submits to the control of a law enforcement officer who has indicated his intent to arrest, or when the law enforcement officer takes a person into custody using physical force with the intent to make an arrest. An arrest record in Iredell County is an official document that reveals when and why an individual suspected of committing a crime was taken into custody by a law enforcement officer. Law enforcement officers typically create arrest records at the time of arrest. These records serve the public interest by being transparent about how laws are enforced within the county, and by helping the public stay informed on matters related to public safety.

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4 does not grant the public access to records of criminal investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies or criminal intelligence information. However, this does not apply to arrest records. Law enforcement agencies like the Statesville Police Department and the Mooresville Police Department maintain arrest records in their respective cities, while the county Sheriff’s Office also maintains many of these records for areas outside city limits.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Iredell, North Carolina?

Yes. Under the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C Gen. Stat. 132-1), arrest records, generally presumed to be public records, may be accessed by anyone, except specific records that are exempt. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4, basic arrest information may be released to the public even when other parts of an investigation may remain confidential.

Anyone may request  Iredell County arrest records. There is no requirement for the requester to reside in the county or be a citizen of North  Carolina. Requests made in person may require a valid ID to verify identity, but online searches do not typically require an ID. Obtaining copies may also require the record seeker to pay small fees for printing or staff time. Some information, such as records tied to an ongoing investigation, juvenile arrest records, or sealed court orders, may be restricted from public view.

What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?

Under North Carolina law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4c), arrest records in Iredell County typically contain elements that describe the suspect’s identifying information without revealing sensitive details. The following details are displayed in arrest records

• Arrestee’s name, age, sex, address, and employment information
• The offence the arrestee is charged with
• Date, time, and location of the arrest
• Circumstances surrounding the arrest
• Description of items seized during the arrest

However, certain information, such as witness names, medical details, or data protected by federal or state laws, may be withheld from the public. This is done to protect ongoing cases, privacy, or victims. Juvenile, sealed, or expunged arrest records may also be withheld from public view.

Iredell County,  North Carolina Arrest Search

Interested persons may obtain or locate federal or state arrest information through various methods. The North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections maintains an Offender Public Information Search portal for state-level convictions. Individuals who wish to obtain arrest information may search by name or offender ID for current information on the state’s prisoners, probationers, and parolees. To search by name, input the first and last name of the offender and click on search. One may also input other details such as the gender, race, ethnic group, or date of birth to narrow down the search.

Members of the public may also request criminal history information from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI). This agency offers criminal background check services to both the public and authorized organizations. NCSBI conducts Personal Background Checks, Background Checks on Others, and Employers/NC Licensing Entities background checks. 

Furthermore, individuals may utilize the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) online portal maintained by the US Federal Courts to obtain federal arrest records. However, only registered users may search for arrest-related information in federal criminal case records.  Alternatively, one may search statewide arrest-related court records through the state’s Judicial Branch’s Online Search Portal by name or case number.

Iredell County Inmate Locator

The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides the general public with criminal background check services. However, individuals are required to contact the Iredell County Clerk of Court in person to obtain criminal background records filed within the county. To request, fill out and print Form AOC-CR-314. Requests can be made via mail or in person, and there is a required fee of $25.  One may also search, view, or email criminal background records by using the public access computers available at the clerk’s office. However, this search is not certified, and users may be required to pay for printing.

Furthermore, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office provides the general public with a County Inmate Inquiry online portal. To search by name, click on the “Filter Inmate List” box, input the first and last name of the offender, and click on “Find”. Users may also search by date of arrest, sex, age, race, and other factors. Interested persons may also request arrest records by visiting the Sheriff’s Office in person at the

Iredell County Sheriff’s Office

231 Constitution Lane

Statesville, NC 28677

Phone: (704) 878-3180

Fax: (704) 878-5094

Active Warrant Search in Iredell County

Per G.S. § 15A-304, an arrest warrant is a formal document with an order directing that an accused person be arrested and held to answer for the charges brought against him. An arrest warrant is issued when a judicial official reviews sworn statements from a law enforcement officer and comes to the conclusion that there is probable cause to believe the person committed a crime. It may also be issued when an individual fails to appear in court when summoned. Iredell County arrest warrants contain the following information

• The suspect’s name or identifying description
• A statement of the crime the individual is accused of
• Statement of probable cause
• An order directing a law enforcement officer to arrest the accused person and bring him before the court
• Details of the issuing officer
• The date and county in which the warrant was issued

The Criminal Warrant Service Unit of the Sheriff’s Office is primarily responsible for the service of warrants in Iredell County. Individuals may look up a list of wanted persons with active warrants on the Sheriff’s Office website. Alternatively, interested persons may inquire about active warrants by contacting the Sheriff’s Office via phone or in person.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Iredell County

One may look up the Sheriff’s Office Inmate Inquiry online portal to search for arrested persons at no cost. Individuals may also look up criminal background records for free by using the public access computers available at the  Iredell County Superior Court Clerk’s Office. Alternatively, members of the public may search the Online Search Portal maintained by the North Carolina Judicial branch for free arrest-related criminal case records. Searches can be carried out by name or by case number. 

It is important to note that results obtained from searching these tools provide only basic arrest information and typically exclude older arrest records. One may need to contact the Sheriff’s Office or Court Clerk for full or official records.

Iredell County Arrest Report

An Iredell County arrest report is not the same as an arrest record. Arrest records are short, summarized entries that are found in law enforcement booking systems or court files. They list out the basic information relating to an arrest, such as the charges, date, and custody status. An arrest report, on the other hand, is a written narrative prepared by the arresting officer that describes the circumstances of the arrest in detail and the actions the officer took. While arrest records are considered to be public records under North Carolina laws, arrest reports are often treated as part of a criminal investigation file and may not be accessed by the public until the case is closed or by court order.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Iredell County

Per G.S. § 15A-153, an expungement, also known as an expunction in North Carolina, is a legal process where an individual’s criminal conviction or charge is removed from the person’s record and the state’s record of the arrest, charge, or conviction is destroyed or sealed. Iredell County follows this same statewide law. Records eligible for expunction include charges that were dismissed, cases where the accused was found not guilty, some first-time misdemeanors committed by people who were 18 years old at the time of the incident, and certain non-violent convictions. 

Some expunction laws permit Individuals to file for an expunction immediately after the case is over, especially if the charges were dismissed, while others require different waiting periods, depending on the crime. Individuals may file a petition for an expunction with the clerk of the court in the county where they were charged or convicted. Forms are available on the North Carolina Courts. There is a general filing fee of $175 for expunction.

How Do You Remove Iredell County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Individuals who wish to remove their Iredell County arrest records from the internet may begin by filing for and obtaining an expunction order from the relevant court under North Carolina law. When a judge gives an expunction order, official government websites and databases stop showing the information to the general public. This is because law enforcement agencies are required to follow the order and update their records. This ensures that arrest records released to the public are removed, destroyed, or sealed.