Guilford County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Guilford County

Arrest records in Guilford County are considered public information under North Carolina law. Pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Law § 132-1, public records include "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions."

The distinction between arrest records and conviction records is significant:

• Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement based on probable cause that they committed a crime. These records exist regardless of whether charges were filed or the individual was convicted.
• Conviction records document that an individual was found guilty of a criminal offense through a court proceeding.

Under current North Carolina law, both arrest and conviction records are generally accessible to the public, though certain exceptions may apply. The North Carolina Department of Justice maintains policies regarding law enforcement records access, including those pertaining to arrests in Guilford County.

What's in Guilford County Arrest Records

Guilford County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody. The content of these records is standardized across the county and includes the following categories of information:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

• Full legal name (including aliases or known nicknames)
• Date of birth
• Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
• Gender
• Race/ethnicity
• Residential address
• Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, etc.)
• Fingerprints
• Photograph (mugshot)

Arrest Details:

• Date and time of arrest
• Location of arrest
• Arresting agency
• Arresting officer's name and badge number
• Circumstances leading to arrest

Charge Information:

• Criminal charges filed
• Charge classification (misdemeanor or felony)
• North Carolina General Statute violation references
• Charge description

Warrant Information (if applicable):

• Warrant number
• Issuing authority
• Date issued
• Serving officer

Booking Information:

• Booking date and time
• Booking number
• Processing facility
• Fingerprinting and photographing confirmation

Bond/Bail Information:

• Bond amount
• Bond type (secured, unsecured, cash)
• Bond status (posted or not)
• Conditions of release (if applicable)

Court Information:

• Court case number
• Scheduled court appearance date
• Court location
• Assigned judge (if known)

Custody Status:

• Current detention status
• Expected release date (if applicable)
• Facility where detained

Additional Information May Include:

• Prior arrest history
• Probation/parole status
• Risk assessment information
• Medical alerts or special needs notations
• Emergency contact information

The comprehensiveness of arrest records serves multiple purposes within the criminal justice system, including identification, case processing, and public safety considerations.

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Guilford County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Guilford County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for arrest record retrieval:

1. Visit the Guilford County Sheriff's Office Records Division in person:

   Guilford County Sheriff's Office
   400 W. Washington Street
   Greensboro, NC 27401
   336-641-3355
   Guilford County Sheriff's Office

   Public Counter Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)

2. Submit a written request by mail to the Records Division at the address above. Include:

   • Full name of the individual
   • Date of birth or approximate age
   • Date of arrest (if known)
   • Your contact information
   • Purpose of request
   • Notarized signature (for certain requests)

3. Complete the official Public Records Request Form available on the Guilford County website.

4. Contact the Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court for court records related to arrests:

   Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court
   201 S. Eugene Street
   Greensboro, NC 27401
   336-412-7300
   North Carolina Judicial Branch - Guilford County

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 132-6.2, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying records but cannot charge for inspection of records. Currently, Guilford County charges a nominal fee for copies of arrest records, payable by cash, check, or money order.

How To Find Guilford County Arrest Records Online

Guilford County provides digital access to arrest records through several official online platforms. Members of the public may utilize these resources to conduct searches remotely:

1. Access the Guilford County Inmate Search Portal to find information about currently detained individuals. This searchable database includes:

   • Inmate name and booking photo
   • Booking date
   • Charges
   • Bond information
   • Court date
   • Facility location

2. Visit the North Carolina Court System's Public Records Search to access court records related to arrests. This system allows searches by:

   • Name
   • Case number
   • County
   • Case type

3. Utilize the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Offender Search for information about individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system.

4. Check the Guilford County Sheriff's Office Recent Arrests page for information about recent law enforcement activity.

When conducting online searches, users should have the following information ready:

• Full name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
• Date of birth (if known)
• Approximate date of arrest (if known)

Online access to arrest records is provided in accordance with North Carolina General Statute § 132-6.1, which addresses electronic access to public records.

How To Search Guilford County Arrest Records for Free?

Guilford County residents and other interested parties may access arrest records without incurring fees through several authorized channels:

1. In-person inspection at the Guilford County Sheriff's Office Records Division:

   Guilford County Sheriff's Office
   400 W. Washington Street
   Greensboro, NC 27401
   336-641-3355
   Guilford County Sheriff's Office

   Visitors may inspect records during regular business hours without charge, though fees apply for copies.

2. Access the free online Guilford County Inmate Search portal, which provides information about currently detained individuals.

3. Visit the Guilford County Courthouse to use public access terminals:

   Guilford County Courthouse
   201 S. Eugene Street
   Greensboro, NC 27401
   336-412-7300
   North Carolina Judicial Branch - Guilford County

   Public terminals are available during regular court hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

4. Access the North Carolina Department of Public Safety's Offender Public Information Search, which provides free information about individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system.

5. Review the weekly published list of arrests in local newspapers, which often maintain searchable online archives.

Under North Carolina General Statute § 132-6(a), "Every custodian of public records shall permit any record in the custodian's custody to be inspected and examined at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision by any person, and shall, as promptly as possible, furnish copies thereof upon payment of any fees as may be prescribed by law."

How To Delete Arrest Records in Guilford County

The process of removing arrest records from public access in Guilford County involves either expungement (legal erasure) or sealing (restricting public access). These distinct legal remedies are governed by North Carolina state law:

Expungement (Expunction): Expungement is the complete removal of an arrest record from public view and official databases. When a record is expunged, the arrest is treated as if it never occurred. Under North Carolina General Statute § 15A-145 through § 15A-146, individuals may qualify for expungement in the following circumstances:

• Charges were dismissed
• A finding of not guilty/acquittal was entered
• The conviction was for a first-time nonviolent offense and the waiting period has elapsed
• The arrest was made in error
• The conviction was for certain drug offenses committed before age 22

Record Sealing: Sealing restricts public access to records while maintaining them for law enforcement purposes. This process is less common in North Carolina but may be available in juvenile cases or certain special circumstances.

Steps to Request Expungement in Guilford County:

1. Determine eligibility under North Carolina expungement statutes

2. Obtain the appropriate petition form from the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts

3. Complete the petition with accurate case information

4. File the petition with the Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court:

   Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court
   201 S. Eugene Street
   Greensboro, NC 27401
   336-412-7300
   North Carolina Judicial Branch - Guilford County

5. Pay the required filing fee (currently $175, though fee waivers may be available)

6. Attend any scheduled hearings

7. If granted, ensure the expungement order is properly executed by all relevant agencies

The expungement process typically takes 3-6 months to complete. Individuals seeking expungement may benefit from legal assistance, which is available through Legal Aid of North Carolina or private attorneys specializing in record clearance.

What Happens After Arrest in Guilford County?

Following an arrest in Guilford County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process that includes several distinct phases:

Initial Custody and Booking: Upon arrest, individuals are transported to either the Guilford County Detention Center in Greensboro or the High Point Detention Facility. The booking process includes:

• Photographing and fingerprinting
• Personal property inventory
• Medical screening
• Background check
• Entry into the jail management system

Initial Appearance: Within 48 hours of arrest (typically within 24 hours), the arrestee appears before a magistrate who:

• Formally advises of charges
• Determines probable cause
• Sets initial bail conditions
• Schedules the first court appearance

Bail Determination: The magistrate sets bail based on:

• Nature and severity of the alleged offense
• Prior criminal history
• Flight risk assessment
• Community ties
• Public safety considerations

Bail may be posted through:

• Cash bond
• Secured bond (requiring property collateral)
• Unsecured bond (promise to pay if court conditions are violated)
• Release on recognizance (no monetary requirement)

First Appearance Hearing: For felony charges, a first appearance hearing occurs within 96 hours of arrest, where:

• Formal charges are read
• Right to counsel is addressed
• Bail is reviewed
• Subsequent court dates are scheduled

Pretrial Proceedings: Depending on the nature of charges, subsequent proceedings may include:

• Probable cause hearings (for felonies)
• Discovery exchanges
• Motion hearings
• Plea negotiations
• Case management conferences

Case Resolution: Cases may be resolved through:

• Dismissal of charges
• Diversion programs
• Plea agreements
• Trial by judge or jury

Sentencing (if convicted): Sentencing options include:

• Incarceration
• Probation
• Fines
• Community service
• Treatment programs
• Restitution

Throughout this process, individuals have constitutional rights including the right to counsel, the right to remain silent, and the right to a fair and speedy trial as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and North Carolina law.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Guilford County?

Arrest records in Guilford County are maintained according to retention schedules established by North Carolina state law. The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' Records Retention Schedule governs how long different types of records must be preserved.

Under North Carolina General Statute § 132-8, which addresses the custody and preservation of public records, law enforcement agencies must maintain arrest records according to the following guidelines:

Standard Retention Periods:

• Arrest reports and supporting documentation: Minimum of 20 years
• Booking photographs (mugshots): Permanent retention
• Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention (with copies sent to the State Bureau of Investigation)
• Incident reports related to arrests: 5 years after case closure
• Arrest warrants: Until executed plus 3 years
• Arrest logs and indexes: Permanent retention

Agency-Specific Variations:

• The Guilford County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for a minimum of 20 years, with many records kept permanently
• The Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records related to arrests according to case disposition:
  • Felony convictions: Permanent retention
  • Misdemeanor convictions: 10 years after case closure
  • Dismissed charges: 3 years after dismissal
  • Acquittals: 3 years after verdict

These retention requirements serve multiple purposes:

• Preservation of evidence for potential appeals or post-conviction proceedings
• Documentation for background checks and security clearances
• Statistical analysis and crime pattern recognition
• Historical documentation and accountability
• Compliance with state and federal reporting requirements

Records may be maintained in physical form, electronic format, or both, depending on when they were created and the specific agency's record-keeping systems.

How to Find Mugshots in Guilford County

What Mugshots Are

Mugshots, formally known as booking photographs, are official photographs taken during the arrest booking process. These images serve as visual identification records of individuals who have been arrested and processed into the criminal justice system. In Guilford County, mugshots are taken as part of the standard booking procedure at county detention facilities.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained

Mugshots in Guilford County are primarily maintained by:

• The Guilford County Sheriff's Office Records Division
• The Guilford County Detention Centers (Greensboro and High Point facilities)
• The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (for certain offenses)

Finding Mugshots

Individuals seeking mugshots in Guilford County may utilize several official channels:

1. Submit a public records request to the Guilford County Sheriff's Office:

   Guilford County Sheriff's Office Records Division
   400 W. Washington Street
   Greensboro, NC 27401
   336-641-3355
   Guilford County Sheriff's Office

   Requests should include:

   • Full name of the individual
   • Date of birth (if known)
   • Approximate date of arrest
   • Case number (if available)

2. Check the Guilford County Inmate Search portal, which includes booking photos of currently detained individuals.

3. Visit the Guilford County Detention Center in person:

   Guilford County Detention Center
   201 S. Edgeworth Street
   Greensboro, NC 27401
   336-641-2700

Can Mugshots Be Found Online

Mugshots for currently detained individuals in Guilford County are available through the county's online inmate search portal. However, historical mugshots may not be accessible online through official county resources. Third-party websites that publish mugshots may contain this information, but these sources are not officially affiliated with Guilford County government agencies and may contain inaccurate or outdated information.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially

To officially obtain mugshots, individuals should:

• Submit a completed public records request form
• Provide proper identification
• Pay applicable fees (currently $5 per photograph)
• Specify the intended use of the mugshot

Restrictions on Mugshot Access

Access to mugshots in Guilford County is subject to certain restrictions:

• Juvenile mugshots (under age 18) are generally not public records
• Mugshots related to certain sensitive cases may be temporarily restricted
• Expunged arrest records and associated mugshots are removed from public access
• Commercial use of mugshots may be restricted under North Carolina law

Requests for mugshots are processed in accordance with the North Carolina Public Records Law, which generally permits access to these records unless a specific exemption applies.

Lookup Arrest Records in Guilford County

Guilford County Sheriff's Office inmate information

Search Guilford County inmate database

Access Guilford County court records

North Carolina offender search system