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  1. Johnston County Court
  2. Johnston County Arrest Records

Johnston County, North Carolina Arrest Records

According to the North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 15A-401, an arrest takes place when an arresting officer takes a person into custody by the use of force, or when a person submits to the control of the arresting officer who has indicated his intention to arrest. A Johnston County arrest record is a legal document that details the apprehension of an individual suspected of committing a crime by law enforcement. Arrest records are created by law enforcement officers at the time of arrest and booking and are maintained by law enforcement agencies. Public arrest records serve the public interest by promoting transparency and ensuring public safety. These records also allow citizens to stay informed about law enforcement activities in their communities.

While arrest records in Johnston County are generally considered public, most records of criminal investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies or criminal intelligence information are not public records under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4. Arrest records in Johnston County are primarily maintained by the Sheriff’s Office and other city police departments operating within the county, such as the Smithfield Police Department and the Clayton Police Department.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Johnston, North Carolina?

Yes. The North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C Gen. Stat. 132-1) considers basic arrest records to be public records, and they are generally available to members of the public in Johnston County. Anyone may request arrest records, as there are no requirements for record seekers to be citizens of North Carolina or to reside in Johnston County. Individuals seeking to obtain certified copies in person may be required to provide a valid ID. They may also need to pay a small amount for printing copies or staff time. Some records, such as juvenile records, sealed or expunged arrest records, or information related to an ongoing investigation, may be restricted from public access.

What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?

Per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4c, Johnston County arrest records contain the following information 

  • Name
  • Sex and age
  • Address and employment information
  • Charges
  • Date and time of arrest
  • Location of arrest
  • List of items seized during arrest 
  • Circumstances surrounding the arrest

However, some arrest information is exempt from public disclosure and may not be accessible to the general public. These include data protected by state or federal law, juvenile cases, sealed or expunged arrest records, names of witnesses, or medical information. This protects victims, ongoing investigations, and people's privacy.

Johnston County,  North Carolina Arrest Search

Members of the public may search for state and federal arrest records through various methods. Interested persons may obtain criminal history information from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. NCSBI provides both the public and authorized organizations with criminal background check services. This agency conducts Personal Background Checks, Background Checks on Others, and Employers/NC Licensing Entities background checks. 

Individuals may also contact the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections, which maintains an Offender Public Information Search portal for state-level convictions. Anyone seeking arrest information regarding current information on the state’s prisoners, probationers, and parolees may search by name or offender ID. To search for an arrest record by name, enter the offender's first and last name, then click search. Other details, such as the gender, race, ethnic group, or date of birth, may also be added to narrow down the search. Alternatively, records seekers may search statewide arrest-related court records through the state’s Judicial Branch’s Online Search Portal by name or case number.

Individuals seeking federal arrest records may check the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) online portal maintained by the US Federal Courts. With this tool, registered users may look up arrest-related information in federal criminal case records.  

Johnston County Inmate Locator

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office primarily maintains arrest records generated within the county and provides the public with an online Inmate Search portal. Interested persons may check the list of currently incarcerated individuals displayed on the page, or search by name, arrest date, or charge description. Individuals may also locate recent arrests made by the Sheriff’s Office by utilizing the Arrest Search online tool. To search by name, enter the first and last name of the suspect and click search. You can also search by date range to view arrests made between those dates. Furthermore, one may also obtain certified copies of arrest records by contacting the Sheriff’s Office in person at the

Johnston County Sheriff’s Office

2875 US-70 BUS E

Smithfield, NC

Phone: (919) 989-5010  

Fax: (919) 989-5039 

Alternatively, the North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains an online criminal background check service. However, record seekers may have to contact the Johnston County Clerk of Court in person to obtain criminal background records filed within the county. To request, fill out, print Form AOC-CR-314, and submit in person or via mail, along with a required fee of $25.

Active Warrant Search in Johnston County

G.S. § 15A-304 defines an arrest warrant as a formal document with a directive to a law enforcement agent that the subject of the warrant be taken into custody and held to answer for the charges brought against him. This document is issued when a judicial official concludes there is probable cause to believe the subject committed a crime based on the showing of probable cause by a law enforcement officer, often supported by oath or affirmation. An arrest warrant may also be issued when an individual does not show up in court after being summoned. Johnston County arrest warrants contain the following information

  • The suspect’s name or an identifying description
  • Statement of the crime the suspect is accused of
  • Statement of probable cause
  • Order for arrest
  • The issuing court and date
  • The details of the issuing officer

To search for arrest warrants in Johnston County, one may contact several official agencies. The Sheriff’s Office maintains information related to arrest warrants in Johnston County. However, the Sheriff’s Office does not currently provide a public online database of active warrants. Interested persons may call the Sheriff’s Office, visit in person during working hours, or check the online Inmate Search portal to find out if anyone has been arrested on an active warrant. Individuals may also contact the Johnston County Clerk of Courts in person at the

Johnston County Clerk of Superior Court

207 East Johnston Street

Smithfield, NC 27577

Phone: (919) 209-5400

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Johnston County

There are several options available for individuals who wish to find arrest records for free in Johnston County. Individuals may utilize the Sheriff’s Office Arrest Search tool to find records regarding an arrest for free. This tool displays recent arrests made by the agency and is updated daily, covering arrests from the last 15 calendar days. Users may search by name or date range at no cost. Interested persons may also check the Inmate Search page provided by the Sheriff’s Office to check for individuals who have been apprehended by law enforcement and are housed at the county jail. Members of the public may also check the Online Search Portal provided by the state’s Judicial Branch for arrest-related records or information at no cost. One may search by name or by case number.

However, information provided by these free tools may be limited. Data provided may include only basic arrest information or exclude older arrest records. Users may also need to fill in the suspect’s full name or approximate date to narrow results effectively. Individuals seeking complete or historical records may need to contact the Sheriff’s Office or the Court Clerk’s office in person to make a formal request.

Johnston County Arrest Report

Johnston County arrest records and arrest reports are not the same. An arrest record is generally a summarized entry of an arrest incident that may be located in the booking systems of law enforcement agencies or court files. Information in an arrest record typically includes a list of basic information, such as the arrestee’s name, date of arrest, custody status, and charges. However, an arrest report is a detailed written account prepared by the arresting officer. It describes what happened during the arrest and what the officer did. While arrest records are public under North Carolina law, arrest reports are usually considered part of an active criminal investigation file. This means the public often cannot access them until the case is closed or a court orders their release.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Johnston County

G.S. § 15A-153 defines an expungement, also known as an expunction in North Carolina, as a legal process by which the criminal conviction or charge of an offender is removed from the offender’s record and all information regarding the arrest, charge, or conviction is officially destroyed or sealed by the state. Several cases, such as dismissed charges, first-time misdemeanors committed before age 18 or 21, nonviolent misdemeanors or felonies meeting specific criteria, and other qualifying offenses, are eligible for expunction in Johnston County, which follows the same statewide law. 

Some expunction laws permit individuals to apply for expunction immediately after the case ends, especially in situations where the charges were dismissed. Other cases require waiting periods depending on the type of crime. Individuals may file a petition for expunction with the clerk of court in the county where they were charged or convicted. Forms are available on the North Carolina Courts website. There is usually a $175 filing fee.

How Do You Remove Johnston County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Anyone who wishes to remove an arrest record in Johnston County from the internet may begin by filing for an expunction through the court under North Carolina law. When an expunction order is granted by the court, official government databases and law enforcement records are updated to reflect the change. This means that the expunged information will no longer be released or shared with the public. Individuals are advised to follow the petition process outlined in the state statutes and work directly with the Johnston County Clerk of Superior Court to ensure compliance.