Brunswick County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Brunswick County
Arrest records in Brunswick County, North Carolina, are generally considered public records under state law. Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1, all records made or received by a public agency in the course of official business are presumed to be public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. This broad definition encompasses arrest records maintained by the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and other law enforcement agencies operating within the county.
It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the act of being taken into custody by law enforcement and does not indicate guilt or a criminal conviction. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. Under North Carolina law, individuals who are arrested but not convicted may be eligible to have their arrest records expunged, thereby removing them from public access. Members of the public seeking arrest information should be aware that the presence of an arrest record does not imply that criminal charges resulted in a conviction.
Certain categories of arrest information may be withheld from public disclosure. Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4, criminal investigation records are not public records while an investigation is ongoing. Once an investigation is closed or charges are filed, the associated records generally become accessible to the public.
Brunswick County Sheriff's Office 70 Stamp Act Drive, Bolivia, NC 28422 (910) 253-2777 Brunswick County Sheriff's Office
What's in Brunswick County Arrest Records
Brunswick County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking. The specific contents of an arrest record may vary depending on the arresting agency, but the following categories of information are typically included.
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Race, sex, height, weight, and eye and hair color
- Social Security number (may be redacted in public-facing records)
- Current residential address
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, Leland Police Department)
- Incident or case number
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed
- Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction)
- North Carolina General Statute citation for each charge
- Number of counts per charge
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Jurisdiction of the issuing authority
Booking Information:
- Date and time of booking
- Booking number assigned by the detention facility
- Name of the detention facility (Brunswick County Detention Center)
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (secured, unsecured, or written promise to appear)
- Bond amount set by the magistrate or judge
- Conditions of release, if any
Court Information:
- Scheduled court date and courtroom assignment
- Assigned court case number
- Presiding court (District or Superior Court)
Custody Status:
- Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
- Release date and method of release
Additional Information May Include:
- Fingerprint records and booking photographs (mugshots)
- Prior arrest history referenced in the booking record
- Detainer or hold information from other jurisdictions
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Brunswick County in 2026
Members of the public may access Brunswick County arrest records through several official channels. The following steps outline the primary methods currently available for obtaining this information.
Step 1 – Contact the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and booking records for individuals processed through the Brunswick County Detention Center. Requestors may appear in person at the public counter during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or submit a written public records request by mail or email.
Step 2 – Submit a Written Public Records Request. Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, any person may inspect and obtain copies of public records. Requests should include the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and any known case or booking number. No specific form is required under state law, though the agency may provide one for convenience.
Step 3 – Contact the Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court. Court records associated with an arrest, including charging documents and disposition information, are maintained by the Clerk of Court. Members of the public may visit the courthouse to inspect these records during regular business hours.
Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court 310 Government Center Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 (910) 253-3600 Brunswick County | North Carolina Judicial Branch
Step 4 – Use the North Carolina Courts Online Portal. The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides online access to certain court records, including criminal case information, through its public access terminals and web-based tools.
Step 5 – Contact the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). For certified criminal history records, members of the public may submit a request to the SBI, which maintains statewide criminal history data.
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation 3320 Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27626 (919) 662-4500 NC State Bureau of Investigation
How To Find Brunswick County Arrest Records Online
Several official online platforms currently provide access to Brunswick County arrest and court records without requiring an in-person visit.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch operates a public case search system that allows users to search criminal case records by name, case number, or county. Members of the public may use this system to locate charging documents, court dates, and case dispositions associated with an arrest. Information on obtaining court records through the North Carolina court system is available on the Judicial Branch website.
The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction provides public records online that allow users to search by name or offender identification number for information on state prisoners, probationers, and parolees currently under the supervision of the department.
The Brunswick County Sheriff's Office may publish recent arrest information on its official website or through affiliated public safety portals. Users should verify that any online source consulted is an official government platform to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information retrieved.
How To Search Brunswick County Arrest Records for Free?
Free access to Brunswick County arrest records is available through multiple official government channels at no cost to the requestor.
- North Carolina Courts Case Search: The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides free online access to criminal case information through its public case lookup tool, accessible via the official court website.
- In-Person Inspection at the Clerk of Court: Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, any person has the right to inspect public records free of charge. Fees may apply only when copies are requested.
- Brunswick County Sheriff's Office Public Counter: Members of the public may inspect arrest logs and booking records at no charge during regular business hours.
- NC Department of Adult Correction Online Search: The department's offender search tool is available at no cost and provides current supervision status for individuals in the state correctional system.
- National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW): For records involving registered sex offenders, the federal NSOPW portal provides free search access linked to the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry.
Fees for photocopies or certified records are set by the respective agency and are generally nominal. Agencies are not permitted to charge for the act of inspection itself.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Brunswick County
North Carolina law provides two primary legal mechanisms for removing or restricting public access to arrest records: expunction (legal erasure) and sealing (restricting public access). Expunction results in the physical destruction or removal of the record from agency files, while sealing restricts access without destroying the underlying record. North Carolina currently does not have a general sealing statute for adult criminal records; expunction is the primary remedy available.
Expunction eligibility in North Carolina is governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-145 and related provisions. An arrest record may be eligible for expunction in the following circumstances:
- The charges were dismissed or the individual was found not guilty
- The individual was charged as a result of identity theft or mistaken identity
- The offense involved a first-time nonviolent misdemeanor or felony, subject to applicable waiting periods
- The individual was under 18 at the time of the offense and meets statutory criteria
Steps to Petition for Expunction:
- Obtain the appropriate expunction petition form from the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC-CR-264 or the applicable form for the charge type).
- Complete the petition and file it with the Clerk of Superior Court in Brunswick County.
- Pay the applicable filing fee (currently $175 for most adult expunctions; no fee for dismissals or not-guilty verdicts).
- Serve copies on the District Attorney's Office and any other required parties.
- Attend the scheduled hearing if the court requires one.
- Upon the judge's order granting expunction, the record is removed from all agency files and the SBI database.
Brunswick County Superior Court Clerk's Office 310 Government Center Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 (910) 253-3600 Brunswick County | North Carolina Judicial Branch
What Happens After Arrest in Brunswick County?
The criminal justice process in Brunswick County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition.
Arrest and Booking: Upon arrest, the individual is transported to the Brunswick County Detention Center, where booking procedures are completed. This includes recording identifying information, photographing, fingerprinting, and entering charges into the law enforcement records system.
Initial Appearance: Within 48 hours of arrest, the individual appears before a magistrate or district court judge for an initial appearance. At this stage, the magistrate reviews the charges, advises the individual of their rights, and sets conditions of release or bond.
Grand Jury or Probable Cause Hearing: For felony charges, the case proceeds to a probable cause hearing in District Court or is presented to a grand jury in Superior Court. The grand jury determines whether sufficient evidence exists to indict the defendant.
Arraignment: If indicted, the defendant is arraigned in Superior Court and enters a formal plea. Misdemeanor cases are typically heard in District Court without a grand jury proceeding.
Pre-Trial Proceedings: Both parties engage in discovery, motions practice, and plea negotiations. Cases may be resolved through a plea agreement at any stage prior to trial.
Trial and Disposition: If no plea agreement is reached, the case proceeds to trial before a judge or jury. Upon conviction, sentencing follows according to the North Carolina Structured Sentencing Act. Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal may be eligible for expunction.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Brunswick County?
Arrest records in Brunswick County are subject to retention schedules established under North Carolina law and applicable administrative rules. The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, through the Government Records Section, publishes official retention schedules that govern how long law enforcement agencies must maintain various categories of records.
Under the current retention schedule applicable to local law enforcement agencies in North Carolina:
- Arrest and booking records for cases resulting in conviction are generally retained permanently or for a minimum of 20 years following the completion of the sentence.
- Arrest records for cases not resulting in conviction are retained for a minimum period, after which they may be eligible for destruction unless an expunction order has been issued.
- Incident and investigation reports are typically retained for a minimum of three years for minor offenses and longer for serious or violent crimes.
- Fingerprint cards and booking photographs maintained by the SBI are subject to separate retention requirements and may be retained indefinitely as part of the statewide criminal history database.
Different agencies operating within Brunswick County—including the Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments, and the SBI—maintain separate records systems and are subject to their respective retention schedules. Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for potential future proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system.
The Brunswick County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts are the primary custodians of arrest and court records at the local level.
How to Find Mugshots in Brunswick County
What Mugshots Are
A mugshot is a standardized booking photograph taken by law enforcement at the time an individual is processed into custody. Mugshots are taken from the front and in profile and are used to create a visual record of the individual's appearance at the time of arrest.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
Mugshots taken in Brunswick County are maintained by the Brunswick County Detention Center as part of the booking record. Copies may also be transmitted to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for inclusion in the statewide criminal history database.
Finding Mugshots
Members of the public may request booking photographs through a public records request submitted to the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office. Requests should include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest or booking number, if known.
Can They Be Found Online
The Brunswick County Sheriff's Office may publish recent booking photographs on its official website or through a public jail roster. Third-party websites that aggregate mugshot data from public records may also display Brunswick County booking photographs; however, the accuracy and currency of information on non-governmental websites cannot be verified by official agencies.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
To obtain a mugshot through official channels, submit a written public records request to the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email. A nominal fee may apply for copies.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
Booking photographs associated with juvenile arrests are not public records under North Carolina law. Additionally, if an arrest record has been expunged pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-145 or a related provision, the associated mugshot must also be removed from agency files and is no longer subject to public disclosure.
Brunswick County Detention Center 30 Stamp Act Drive, Bolivia, NC 28422 (910) 253-2777 Brunswick County Sheriff's Office