Carteret County Public Records /Carteret County Criminal Records

Carteret County Criminal Records

What Is Carteret County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Carteret County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-1340.16, which establishes the framework for criminal proceedings and record-keeping in the state.

Criminal records typically include several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by the Carteret County Sheriff's Office or local police departments, including booking information and initial charges
Court Records: Case files maintained by the Carteret County Courthouse detailing arraignments, hearings, pleas, trials, and case dispositions
Incarceration Records: Information regarding detention in the Carteret County Detention Center or state correctional facilities
Probation/Parole Records: Documentation of supervision terms and compliance for those serving non-custodial sentences

It is important to distinguish between different types of criminal records:

Arrest vs. Conviction Records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody but does not indicate guilt. Conviction records confirm that a person was found guilty of a criminal offense through a court proceeding.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor Records: Felonies represent more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanors are less severe crimes typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration.
Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records for offenders 18 and older are generally public, while juvenile records (under 18) are typically sealed under North Carolina General Statutes § 7B-3000 to protect minors.
Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants indicate current enforcement actions, while historical records document past proceedings.

The primary agencies maintaining criminal records in Carteret County include:

Carteret County Sheriff's Office
304 Craven Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-8400
Carteret County Sheriff's Office

Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court
300 Courthouse Square
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 504-4400
Carteret County Courts

North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 662-4500
North Carolina SBI

Are Criminal Records Public In Carteret County

Criminal records in Carteret County are generally considered public information in accordance with the North Carolina Public Records Law, specifically North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1, which states:

"The public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people. Therefore, it is the policy of this State that the people may obtain copies of their public records and public information free or at minimal cost unless otherwise specifically provided by law."

This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, are accessible to the public. However, certain categories of criminal records maintain restricted access:

Publicly Accessible Records:

Adult conviction records
Court proceedings and case dispositions
Inmate records for currently incarcerated individuals
Sex offender registry information
Active warrants

Restricted or Limited Access Records:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
Juvenile records (sealed under N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000)
Expunged or sealed records
Records sealed by court order
Certain domestic violence and victim information
Records containing sensitive personal identifiers (Social Security numbers, etc.)

The Carteret County Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Court maintain public access terminals where members of the public may inspect publicly available criminal records during regular business hours. Additionally, certain records are accessible through online portals maintained by county and state agencies.

It should be noted that while criminal records are generally public, the method of access and associated fees may vary depending on the specific record sought and the maintaining agency. Some records may require formal requests or the payment of copying fees in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for duplication services.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Carteret County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Carteret County may utilize several methods to access this information. The following procedures outline the current process for obtaining various types of criminal records:

In-Person Requests at the Sheriff's Office:

Visit the Carteret County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM).
Complete a public records request form, providing specific information about the records sought.
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable fees for copies if requesting physical documents.

Carteret County Sheriff's Office
304 Craven Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-8400
Carteret County Sheriff's Office

Court Records Access:

Visit the Carteret County Courthouse Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM).
Request access to public terminals for searching court records.
Provide case numbers or individual names to facilitate searches.
Request certified copies of specific documents if needed (fees apply).

Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court
300 Courthouse Square
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 504-4400
Carteret County Courts

Written Requests:

Submit a written request to the appropriate agency (Sheriff's Office or Clerk of Court).
Include specific information about the records sought, including names, dates, and case numbers if available.
Provide contact information and preferred method of delivery.
Include payment for applicable fees (check or money order).

Online Access:

Access the North Carolina Court System's public records portal.
Create an account if required for certain searches.
Enter search criteria (name, case number, etc.).
Review available records and request copies if needed.

For inmate information, the public may utilize the Carteret County Inmate Search portal to access current detention information.

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6.2, agencies may charge reasonable fees for duplication of records. Currently, standard copy fees are $0.25 per page for standard documents, with additional fees for certified copies or specialized records.

How To Find Criminal Records in Carteret County Online?

Carteret County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital portals offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of available information may vary by platform.

Carteret County Inmate Search: The Sheriff's Office maintains a comprehensive inmate database that provides:

Current inmate roster
Booking information
Charges
Bond amounts
Scheduled court dates
Custody status

Users can search by name or booking number without registration requirements. This system updates regularly to reflect current detention center population.

North Carolina Judicial Branch Court Records: The North Carolina Court System offers an online portal for accessing court records statewide, including Carteret County cases:

Navigate to the Criminal Court Information System
Select Carteret County from the jurisdiction dropdown
Enter search criteria (name, case number)
Review available case summaries
Note that complete case files may require in-person inspection

Registration is required for certain detailed searches, and some documents may not be available in full text format online.

North Carolina Department of Public Safety Offender Search: For information on individuals currently serving sentences in state prisons or under community supervision, the NC Offender Public Information Search provides:

Offender identification information
Current custody status
Conviction information
Sentence details
Projected release dates
Supervision conditions

This resource is particularly useful for tracking individuals who have been transferred from Carteret County Detention Center to state facilities.

Sex Offender Registry: The North Carolina Sex Offender Registry, accessible through the NC SBI website, allows users to:

Search for registered sex offenders by name
View offenders residing in Carteret County
Access offense information
View registration compliance status
Sign up for email notifications regarding specific offenders

It should be noted that while these online resources provide significant access to criminal records, certain limitations exist:

Sealed or expunged records are not accessible
Juvenile records remain confidential
Some case details may be redacted
Historical records may have limited availability
Technical issues may occasionally affect system availability

Can You Search Carteret County Criminal Records for Free?

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6(a), public agencies must allow inspection of public records "at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision by any person." This statutory provision ensures that members of the public may examine criminal records without charge at designated locations.

Free In-Person Inspection Locations:

Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court
300 Courthouse Square
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 504-4400
Carteret County Courts
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Carteret County Sheriff's Office
304 Craven Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-8400
Carteret County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

At these locations, public terminals are available for searching court records and certain law enforcement records without charge. Staff assistance may be provided subject to availability.

Free Online Resources:

Several online portals provide free access to criminal record information:

Carteret County Inmate Search: Provides current detention information without registration or fees
North Carolina Offender Public Information: Offers free searches for state prison inmates and supervised offenders
North Carolina Sex Offender Registry: Provides free access to registered sex offender information
North Carolina Court Calendar: Offers free access to upcoming court dates

While inspection of records is generally free, agencies may charge reasonable fees for:

Copies of documents ($0.25 per page standard fee)
Certified copies ($5.00 per document)
Extensive research requiring staff time
Specialized record formats
Postage for mailed records

It should be noted that commercial background check services, while convenient, typically charge fees for their services and may not provide complete or current information compared to official government sources.

What's Included in a Carteret County Criminal Record?

Criminal records maintained by Carteret County agencies typically contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content may vary depending on the nature of the case and the maintaining agency, but generally includes the following categories:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
Mugshot or booking photograph
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency and officer
Booking number and facility
Charges filed at arrest
Probable cause statement
Bail or bond information
Detention location and status
Property/evidence seized

Court Case Information:

Case number and filing date
Court of jurisdiction (District or Superior)
Judge assigned
Charges filed by prosecutor
Statutory citations and offense classifications (felony/misdemeanor)
Plea information
Defense attorney information
Prosecution attorney information
Hearing dates and proceedings
Motions filed and rulings

Disposition and Sentencing:

Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed)
Conviction date
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution ordered
- Community service requirements
- Treatment programs
Appeal information
Probation/parole status and conditions

Additional Information:

Active warrants or pending charges
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/DWI history
Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
Probation/parole violations
Custody level classifications
Institutional disciplinary actions
Program participation

The Carteret County Detention Center maintains records specific to incarceration, while the Clerk of Superior Court maintains the official court record. Law enforcement agencies maintain separate records pertaining to investigations and arrests.

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public versions of criminal records, including:

Social Security numbers
Financial account information
Medical information
Information about confidential informants
Victim identifying information in sensitive cases
Information sealed by court order

How Long Does Carteret County Keep Criminal Records?

Carteret County maintains criminal records in accordance with the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Records Retention Schedule, which establishes mandatory retention periods for various types of government records, including those related to criminal matters.

The retention periods for criminal records vary based on record type and offense severity:

Law Enforcement Records:

Felony investigation records: Permanent retention for murder cases; 20 years for other felonies
Misdemeanor investigation records: 5 years after resolution
Arrest records: 5 years after release or resolution
Incident reports: 5 years
Call for service records: 3 years
Warrant and arrest logs: Permanent retention

Court Records:

Felony case files: Permanent retention
Misdemeanor case files: 5-10 years depending on offense type
Traffic cases: 3 years after disposition
Domestic violence cases: 5 years after case closure
Juvenile records: Until age 18, then sealed pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000
Court calendars and dockets: 3 years

Detention Center Records:

Inmate case files: 10 years after release
Booking records: 5 years
Visitor logs: 3 years
Inmate medical records: 10 years after release
Disciplinary records: 3 years after release

Probation/Parole Records:

Supervision files: 5 years after completion
Violation reports: 3 years after resolution

It is important to note that while records may be retained for the periods specified above, their accessibility to the public may be limited by various factors, including:

Expungement orders pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 through § 15A-146
Court-ordered sealing of records
Conversion to archival storage after active retention periods
Technical limitations of older record storage systems

The Carteret County Sheriff's Office and Carteret County Clerk of Court maintain compliance with these retention schedules through systematic records management programs. After the mandatory retention period expires, records may be destroyed in accordance with approved disposition procedures, though many agencies opt to maintain felony records indefinitely.

Lookup Criminal Records in Carteret County

Carteret County Sheriff's Office inmate information

Carteret County Detention Center records

Carteret County Courthouse case information

North Carolina Department of Adult Correction offender search

Carteret County Sheriff's Office public records