Wake County Criminal Records in Raleigh, North Carolina
Wake County criminal records are managed through several offices in Raleigh, North Carolina. As the most populous county in the state and home to the capital, Wake County handles a large volume of criminal cases each year. The Clerk of Superior Court, the City-County Bureau of Identification, and the Wake County Sheriff's Office each maintain different categories of criminal records. This page explains how to access criminal records from these Wake County offices and what to expect during the search process.
Wake County Clerk of Court Criminal Records
The Clerk of Superior Court at 300 S. Salisbury Street in Raleigh, NC is the primary custodian of criminal court records for Wake County. The office phone number is (919) 792-4300. This office maintains case files for all felony and misdemeanor matters heard in Wake County courts. The Justice Center houses multiple courtrooms and serves as the hub for criminal proceedings in the county.
Wake County courts span multiple judicial districts and handle thousands of criminal cases annually. The courthouse offers self-service terminals where visitors can look up criminal case information without staff assistance. Electronic filing is also available for attorneys submitting documents in criminal cases.
The NC Judicial Branch website provides details about Wake County court services and locations.
Visit nccourts.gov/locations/wake-county for court schedules, self-service terminal locations, and contact information for the Wake County Justice Center.
Under N.C.G.S. 132-1, criminal records in Wake County are public. Anyone can visit the clerk's office and request to view case files. You do not need to be a party in the case. Some investigative records may be restricted under N.C.G.S. 132-1.4, but finalized criminal court records are broadly accessible to the public.
| Court |
Wake County Clerk of Superior Court 300 S. Salisbury Street Raleigh, NC Phone: (919) 792-4300 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/wake-county |
Wake County CCBI Criminal Record Inquiries
The City-County Bureau of Identification, known as CCBI, is a resource unique to Wake County for accessing criminal records. CCBI maintains arrest data dating back to April 27, 2007, for individuals processed through the Wake County detention facility. This database is governed by N.C.G.S. 15A-502 and contains booking information, charges, and arrest details.
There are important limitations to understand about CCBI criminal records in Wake County. The database does not include infractions, citations, or traffic violations. It only covers arrest-level criminal records. This means minor offenses that did not result in an arrest will not appear in a CCBI search. For those types of records in Wake County, you would need to check with the clerk of court instead.
The CCBI provides information about criminal record inquiries through its website.
Learn more about CCBI services at wakegov.com CCBI criminal record inquiries.
Accessing Public Records in Wake County
Wake County provides a dedicated public records portal for court-related documents. This resource allows you to look up criminal case information, view court calendars, and access case documents for matters filed in Wake County courts.
Access the portal at wakecountycourts.org/public-records for criminal records and court case information from Wake County.
Criminal records available through Wake County offices include several categories of documents:
- Arrest and booking records from the sheriff and CCBI
- Criminal charge documents and indictments
- Court hearing transcripts and orders
- Disposition and sentencing records
- Probation and post-conviction filings
Each category serves a different purpose. Arrest records show the initial law enforcement action. Charge documents detail what the defendant was accused of. Disposition records reveal the outcome. Sentencing records list the penalties. Together, they form the complete criminal record for a Wake County case.
Wake County Sheriff Criminal and Arrest Records
The Wake County Sheriff's Office at 330 S Salisbury Street in Raleigh can be reached at (919) 856-6900. The sheriff maintains arrest records and operates the county detention facility. The office provides online access to current jail inmate information, allowing the public to verify whether someone is currently in custody at the Wake County facility.
Arrest records from the Wake County Sheriff document the booking process for each person detained. These records include the individual's name, photograph, charges, arrest date, arresting agency, and bond amount. Because Wake County is the largest county in North Carolina, the sheriff processes a high volume of arrests. Records from the sheriff are separate from the criminal case records maintained by the clerk of court.
North Carolina Criminal Records Laws
Criminal records in Wake County are governed by North Carolina's Public Records Act. The foundation of public access is N.C.G.S. 132-1, which declares that government records belong to the people. This includes all criminal court records, arrest records, and booking data generated by Wake County offices. The law applies equally regardless of who requests the records or why.
There are exceptions to full public access. Juvenile criminal records in Wake County are sealed from public view. Grand jury proceedings remain confidential. Active investigation records may be withheld temporarily under N.C.G.S. 132-1.4. But for adult criminal cases that have reached a final disposition in Wake County, the records are open for public inspection at the clerk's office or through online access portals.
Statewide Searches and Criminal Record Expunction
A Wake County criminal records search only covers cases within this jurisdiction. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation provides statewide criminal history checks that span all 100 counties. The NC Courts website offers guidance on how court records work across the state system.
Some Wake County criminal records may qualify for expunction under N.C.G.S. 15A-145.5. Dismissed charges, not guilty verdicts, and certain first-time offenses may be removed from public access after the petitioner meets all statutory requirements. The Clerk of Superior Court in Raleigh handles expunction petitions for Wake County criminal records. Expunged records are sealed and will not appear in standard searches.
Nearby Counties
Wake County is surrounded by several counties where criminal records may also be filed if an offense occurred outside Wake County boundaries.