Look Up Raleigh Arrest Records
Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and the seat of Wake County. The city has more than 470,000 residents. Arrest records from Raleigh are kept by the Raleigh Police Department and the Wake County court system. These files are open to the public under state law. You can search them online or in person at several locations around the city and county. Local police and the county sheriff's office both handle arrest records for Raleigh residents. You can search these records online or visit the courthouse in person to request copies of arrest records and related criminal case documents.
Raleigh Police Department Records
The Raleigh Police Department is the main law enforcement agency for the city. Its headquarters is at 6716 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27615. Officers create arrest records each time they take someone into custody. Those records go into the department's files and become public once the booking is done.
To get a copy of a Raleigh arrest record, you can submit a request through the police records page on the city website. You will need the full name of the person and any dates tied to the arrest. The department also takes phone requests at 919-996-3100. Mail and email options are available for those who cannot visit in person. Response times vary based on the size of your request.
The Raleigh Police Department is shown here, serving as the primary agency for arrest records in the city.
This location processes all police reports and arrest records for incidents within city limits.
You can also file a formal public records request with the City of Raleigh. This covers any record held by a city agency, not just the police. The city must respond in a timely way under the North Carolina Public Records Act found in Chapter 132 of the General Statutes.
Wake County Arrest Records for Raleigh
Wake County handles court cases from Raleigh. The Wake County Sheriff Records Division keeps its own set of arrest records. The sheriff has jurisdiction across the entire county, which includes Raleigh. You can email them at Sheriff.Records@wake.gov for record requests.
The Wake County Clerk of Court stores all criminal case files. When a Raleigh arrest leads to charges, the case enters the court system. The clerk keeps every document tied to that case. This includes the arrest warrant, the charging document, plea records, and the final outcome. Anyone can look up these files by name or case number at the courthouse.
The Raleigh police records office, where the public can request copies of arrest records and incident reports.
Walk-in requests are taken during regular business hours at this location.
Note: The Wake County Sheriff and the Raleigh Police Department maintain separate record systems, so you may need to check both agencies for complete arrest records.
Online Search Tools for Raleigh Arrest Records
Several online tools let you search for arrest records in Raleigh from any computer or phone. These range from state-run databases to county portals. Each one covers a different set of records, so using more than one gives the best results.
The NC Courts website at nccourts.gov offers criminal background check guidance. You can search for case information across all North Carolina counties, including Wake. Basic case details like dates, charges, and outcomes are free to view. For certified copies of arrest records from Raleigh cases, you need to contact the clerk or visit the courthouse.
- NC Courts portal for case searches by name
- Wake County Sheriff records request by email
- NC DPS offender search for state prison data
- NC SBI for statewide criminal history checks
The NC Department of Public Safety runs an offender search tool. It shows records for people who have served time in state facilities. The NC State Bureau of Investigation manages the central criminal history repository. Both are useful when searching for arrest records tied to Raleigh cases that led to state-level action.
Raleigh Arrest Records and Public Access
North Carolina treats arrest records as public documents. The law is clear on this point. N.C.G.S. 132-1.4 sets out what is and is not available to the public when it comes to law enforcement records. Most arrest data from Raleigh falls into the public category. Names, charges, and booking details are all accessible.
There are limits. Juvenile records are sealed. Expunged records are removed from public view. Active investigation files may be held back until the case is closed. These rules apply to all arrest records in Raleigh and the rest of Wake County. If your request is denied, the agency must tell you why and cite the specific statute.
The Raleigh public records request page is shown here, which residents use to submit formal requests for arrest records and other city documents.
Requests filed through this system are tracked and assigned to the correct department for processing.
Raleigh Criminal Court Process
After an arrest in Raleigh, the case moves to the Wake County court system. A first appearance happens within 48 hours in most cases. The judge sets bond and reads the charges. From there, the case goes through pretrial hearings, plea talks, or trial. Every step creates a record that the public can access at the courthouse.
Misdemeanors go to district court. Felonies go to superior court. Both courts sit in the Wake County Justice Center. Arrest records from Raleigh tie directly to these court files. The case number links the police report to the court documents, making it easy to follow a case from start to finish. The clerk can help you find the right file if you have a name or date.
Note: Court records may take a few days to appear in the online system after an arrest in Raleigh, since data entry happens after the initial booking.
Wake County Arrest Records
Raleigh is the largest city in Wake County. The county also includes Cary, Apex, and several other towns. All arrest records from these areas flow through the same Wake County court system. For a broader look at records across the county, visit the full county page.