Raleigh Criminal Records Search
Raleigh criminal records are maintained by multiple agencies in Wake County, including the Raleigh Police Department and the City-County Bureau of Identification. As the state capital and second-largest city in North Carolina, Raleigh generates a significant volume of criminal records each year. The CCBI handles arrest data and criminal record inquiries for the Raleigh area, while court records are managed through the Wake County court system. This page covers the primary methods for accessing criminal records in Raleigh.
Raleigh Quick Facts
Criminal Records Through the CCBI
The City-County Bureau of Identification, commonly known as CCBI, is the primary agency for criminal record inquiries in Raleigh and Wake County. The CCBI maintains arrest data and provides criminal background information to the public. Their records include arrest data dating back to April 27, 2007, which is maintained in accordance with GS 132-1, the North Carolina public records law.
Arrest records processed by the CCBI are generated under the authority of GS 15A-502, which governs the collection and maintenance of arrest information in North Carolina. This statute requires law enforcement agencies in Raleigh and throughout the state to record specific information at the time of arrest, creating the foundation of the criminal record for each case. The CCBI compiles this data for Wake County, making it a centralized resource for criminal records in Raleigh.
You can learn more about accessing criminal records through the CCBI by visiting the Wake County CCBI criminal record inquiries page. The bureau provides instructions on how to submit a request, what information is needed, and what fees may apply for criminal record searches in Raleigh.
Note: CCBI arrest data begins from April 27, 2007, so records of arrests in Raleigh before that date may require a different search method.
Raleigh Police Department Records
The Raleigh Police Department generates criminal records through its daily law enforcement activities across the city. Police reports, incident documentation, and arrest records created by Raleigh officers become part of the public record under North Carolina law. The department provides information about its services and operations through its official website at raleighnc.gov/police.
The following image shows the Raleigh Police Department official page, which provides access to criminal records resources and department information.
Through the department website, Raleigh residents can find information about filing police reports, requesting copies of incident reports, and understanding how criminal records are processed within the city. The Raleigh Police Department works closely with the CCBI to ensure criminal records are properly documented and accessible to the public as required by North Carolina public records statutes.
When a crime is reported or an arrest is made in Raleigh, the responding officers create documentation that becomes part of the criminal record. These records are stored by the police department and eventually forwarded to the appropriate agencies including the CCBI and the court system. This process means that criminal records in Raleigh may be available from multiple sources depending on the stage of the case.
Wake County Court Criminal Records
Criminal cases originating in Raleigh are prosecuted through the Wake County court system. The courts maintain detailed records of all criminal proceedings, from initial appearances through final dispositions. You can search Wake County criminal court records through the North Carolina eCourts portal at portal-nc.tylertech.cloud, which provides free access to basic case information.
The Wake County courthouse is located in downtown Raleigh and handles both District and Superior Court criminal matters. District Court addresses misdemeanors and lower-level offenses while Superior Court handles felony cases from Raleigh. The NC Courts website at nccourts.gov/locations/wake-county has information about the court, including hours, location, and services available for criminal records searches.
Court criminal records in Raleigh include information such as:
- Charges filed and their statutory references
- Hearing dates and courtroom assignments
- Plea entries and trial outcomes
- Sentencing details and probation conditions
- Appeals and post-conviction motions
These court records provide a more complete view of criminal cases than police records alone. While a police report captures the initial incident in Raleigh, court records document the entire legal process from start to finish. For a thorough criminal records search in Raleigh, checking both police and court records is advisable.
Statewide Criminal Records Resources
Because Raleigh is the state capital, several statewide criminal records agencies are physically located in the city. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, which conducts statewide background checks, is headquartered in Raleigh. The NCSBI background check service pulls criminal records from all 100 North Carolina counties, including Wake County where Raleigh is located.
The North Carolina Sex Offender Registry, also managed by the SBI and based in Raleigh, provides a searchable database of registered sex offenders across the state. You can search for offenders by name or by location at sexoffender.ncsbi.gov. This registry is one component of the broader criminal records system that serves Raleigh and all of North Carolina.
Under GS 132-1.4, certain criminal records may be exempt from public disclosure. This includes records related to ongoing investigations, sealed juvenile records, and certain personnel files. When searching for criminal records in Raleigh, be aware that some information may not be available through public channels due to these statutory exemptions.
Note: Statewide background checks through the NCSBI may take longer to process than local criminal record inquiries through the CCBI in Raleigh.
Criminal Record Expungement in Raleigh
North Carolina allows certain criminal records to be expunged through a court petition. Under GS 15A-145.5, residents of Raleigh can petition the Wake County court to have eligible criminal records removed from public access. Expungement may be available for dismissed charges, not-guilty verdicts, and certain lower-level convictions after a specified waiting period.
The expungement process in Raleigh begins at the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court. You must file a petition that identifies the specific criminal record you want expunged and demonstrate that you meet the eligibility requirements under state law. A judge will review the petition and make a determination. If granted, the criminal record is sealed and removed from public databases in Raleigh and statewide.
Eligibility for expungement depends on multiple factors including the type of offense, the case outcome, and the amount of time that has elapsed since the disposition. Serious felonies and repeat offenses are generally not eligible for expungement in Raleigh or anywhere in North Carolina. The NC Courts website at nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records provides additional information about court records and related processes.
Wake County Criminal Records
Raleigh is the county seat of Wake County, and all criminal cases from Raleigh are processed through the Wake County court system. Wake County is the most populous county in North Carolina and includes several other cities and towns such as Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs. For comprehensive information about criminal records across the entire county, visit the Wake County page.