Charlotte Criminal Records
Charlotte criminal records can be accessed through the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Mecklenburg County court system. As the largest city in North Carolina with roughly 900,000 residents, Charlotte processes a substantial volume of criminal cases each year. The CMPD manages police records while the Clerk of Superior Court at 832 E. Fourth Street handles background checks and arrest histories. Residents and members of the public can search criminal records in Charlotte through several official channels detailed on this page.
Charlotte Quick Facts
Charlotte Criminal Records Through CMPD
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department maintains criminal records generated from police activity within Charlotte and unincorporated Mecklenburg County. CMPD handles arrest reports, incident reports, and other police documentation that form part of the criminal record system in Charlotte. You can reach CMPD Police Records at 704-336-2848 or by email at CMPDPoliceRecords@cmpd.org.
CMPD also provides crime mapping tools on their official website. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department publishes data about reported crimes, which residents can use to review criminal activity across different neighborhoods in Charlotte. Visit the CMPD website at cmpd.org to access these crime mapping resources and learn more about how criminal records are created and maintained in Charlotte.
The City of Charlotte maintains a public records portal for formal requests. Through the JustFOIA platform at charlottenc.justfoia.com, you can submit requests for police reports and other criminal records held by city agencies. You may also contact the Public Records office directly at PublicRecordsRequest@charlottenc.gov or 704-336-2248. This portal covers all city departments, so criminal records requests should specify that you need CMPD records.
Note: CMPD police records requests and background checks are separate processes with different offices handling each type of criminal record in Charlotte.
Background Checks and Arrest Histories
Criminal background checks and arrest history reports in Charlotte are processed through the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court. The office is located at 832 E. Fourth Street in uptown Charlotte. The fee for a background check is $25, and the office accepts cash, certified checks, or money orders as payment. This is the official channel for obtaining a formal criminal history report connected to the Charlotte court system.
The following image shows the City of Charlotte public records portal, which is one avenue for requesting criminal records documentation.
The portal streamlines the request process and allows you to track the status of your criminal records inquiry in Charlotte. Under North Carolina General Statute GS 132-1, public records in North Carolina belong to the people, which means criminal records maintained by government agencies in Charlotte are generally accessible to anyone who requests them. There are exceptions outlined in GS 132-1.4 for certain personnel records and sealed files.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation also provides statewide background checks that include Charlotte criminal records. You can learn more about that process through the NCSBI background check page. The SBI check pulls records from across all North Carolina counties, including Mecklenburg County where Charlotte is located.
Mecklenburg County Sheriff Criminal Records
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office provides several online tools that are relevant to criminal records searches in Charlotte. The sheriff operates the county jail and maintains records of current and recent inmates. These records include booking information, charges, and bond details for individuals arrested in Charlotte and surrounding areas of Mecklenburg County.
The following image shows the CMPD official page, which provides information about accessing police criminal records in Charlotte.
CMPD coordinates with the sheriff's office on many criminal matters throughout Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The sheriff's inmate search tool is available at mecksheriffweb.mecklenburgcountync.gov/Inmate, and you can search for active warrants at mecksheriffweb.mecklenburgcountync.gov/Warrant. These tools let you look up current inmates by name and check whether someone has an outstanding warrant in Mecklenburg County.
Note: Inmate and warrant searches show current information only and do not represent a complete criminal history for any individual in Charlotte.
Charlotte Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases prosecuted in Charlotte go through the Mecklenburg County court system. The North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains an online portal where you can search court records from across the state, including all criminal cases filed in Charlotte. The eCourts system at portal-nc.tylertech.cloud provides access to case information including charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing details.
Court records differ from police records in Charlotte because they cover the full lifecycle of a criminal case. While a police report documents the initial incident and arrest, court records track everything from the initial appearance through trial and sentencing. For anyone researching criminal records in Charlotte, checking both police and court records provides the most complete picture.
The Mecklenburg County courthouse handles both District and Superior Court criminal cases. District Court covers misdemeanors and infractions while Superior Court handles felony cases in Charlotte. Both levels of court generate criminal records that are searchable through the state system. You can visit the NC Courts help page on court records for guidance on accessing these files.
Criminal Records and the Sex Offender Registry
The North Carolina Sex Offender Registry is another criminal records resource that covers Charlotte. Maintained by the State Bureau of Investigation, this registry lists individuals convicted of qualifying sex offenses who are required to register under state law. You can search the registry by name or location at sexoffender.ncsbi.gov to find registered offenders living in Charlotte or anywhere in North Carolina.
Registration is required under North Carolina law, and the criminal records associated with sex offenses are among the most publicly accessible in the state. Charlotte residents can search this database at any time without a fee. The registry includes photographs, addresses, and offense details for each registrant in Charlotte and throughout Mecklenburg County.
Expungement of Criminal Records in Charlotte
North Carolina law allows certain criminal records to be expunged, or removed from public access. Under GS 15A-145.5, individuals who meet specific criteria may petition the court to have their criminal records expunged in Charlotte. Expungement can apply to charges that were dismissed, cases where the person was found not guilty, or certain lower-level convictions after a waiting period has passed.
The expungement process in Charlotte begins with filing a petition at the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court. The petition must include specific information about the charge, the disposition, and the reason for requesting expungement. A judge reviews the petition and decides whether to grant it. If approved, the criminal record is removed from public databases and the individual can legally state that they have not been convicted of that offense.
Expungement eligibility in Charlotte depends on the type of offense, the outcome of the case, and how much time has passed. Not all criminal records qualify for expungement. Serious felonies and certain repeat offenses are generally not eligible under North Carolina law. Anyone considering an expungement petition in Charlotte should review the current statute or consult with an attorney familiar with Mecklenburg County courts.
Note: Once a criminal record is expunged in Charlotte, it should no longer appear in standard background checks or court record searches.
How to Request Criminal Records in Charlotte
There are several ways to obtain criminal records in Charlotte, depending on what type of record you need. Police incident reports are available through CMPD, while court records come from the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court. Background checks for personal use or verification purposes are handled at the clerk's office as well.
For CMPD police records, you can submit a request through the Charlotte public records portal or contact the records division directly. For court records, the eCourts system offers free basic case lookups. For certified copies of criminal records, visit the clerk's office in person at 832 E. Fourth Street in Charlotte. Bring a valid photo ID and the $25 fee in cash, certified check, or money order.
The steps to search Charlotte criminal records include:
- Identify the type of criminal record you need, such as police reports, court records, or background checks
- Use the appropriate online portal or contact the correct office in Charlotte
- Provide the full name and any other identifying information for the subject of the search
- Pay any applicable fees for copies or certified documents
Processing times vary depending on the type of criminal record and the method of request in Charlotte. Online requests through the public records portal typically receive a response within a few business days. In-person requests at the clerk's office can often be fulfilled the same day if the records are readily available. Mail requests take the longest, as they depend on processing queues at the receiving office in Charlotte.
Mecklenburg County Criminal Records
Charlotte is the county seat of Mecklenburg County. All criminal cases originating in Charlotte are processed through the Mecklenburg County court system. The county handles cases for Charlotte and several smaller municipalities including Huntersville, Cornelius, Matthews, and Mint Hill. For broader information about criminal records across the entire county, including resources beyond Charlotte, visit the Mecklenburg County page.