Pitt County Criminal Records
What Is Pitt County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Pitt County, North Carolina encompass the official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county jurisdiction. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 132-1, these records are classified as public records and are maintained by various law enforcement and judicial agencies throughout the county.
Criminal records in Pitt County include several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Pitt County Sheriff's Office or local police departments. These records exist whether or not charges are ultimately filed.
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of criminal cases resulting in a guilty verdict or plea, establishing that an individual has been found legally responsible for a criminal offense.
- Felony Records: Documentation of more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, potentially including state prison sentences.
- Misdemeanor Records: Documentation of less serious offenses typically punishable by up to one year in county jail.
- Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records for individuals 18 and older are generally public, while juvenile records (under 18) are typically sealed under North Carolina General Statute § 7B-3000 and accessible only to authorized parties.
- Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Current outstanding warrants for arrest versus completed case documentation.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Pitt County:
Pitt County Sheriff's Office
100 West 3rd Street
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 902-2800
Pitt County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and operates the Pitt County Detention Center where inmate records are kept.
Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court
100 West 3rd Street
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 695-7100
Pitt County Courts
The Clerk's office maintains court case records, including arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, and sentencing information.
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 662-4500
NC SBI
The SBI maintains statewide criminal history information, including fingerprint records and criminal background check services.
Criminal records typically document the complete progression through the justice system, including initial charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing details, and probation or parole information.
Are Criminal Records Public In Pitt County
Criminal records in Pitt County are generally public documents pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Law, specifically North Carolina General Statute § 132-1, which states: "The public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people." This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, are accessible to the public.
The North Carolina Public Records Law further specifies in § 132-1(b) that "the people may obtain copies of their public records and public information free or at minimal cost unless otherwise specifically provided by law." This provision ensures that Pitt County residents have the legal right to access and obtain copies of most criminal records.
However, certain categories of criminal records are subject to restrictions or exemptions:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations may be temporarily withheld under § 132-1.4 until the investigation is complete.
- Sealed Records: Court records that have been sealed by judicial order are not publicly accessible.
- Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged under North Carolina General Statute § 15A-145 through § 15A-146 are removed from public access.
- Juvenile Records: Records involving individuals under 18 years of age are generally confidential under North Carolina General Statute § 7B-3000, with limited exceptions for certain authorized parties.
- Certain Victim Information: Details that could compromise victim safety or privacy may be redacted.
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and basic arrest information are typically available to the public through the Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court or the Pitt County Sheriff's Office. These records can be accessed by any member of the public without demonstrating a specific need or purpose for the information, though identification may be required when requesting records in person.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Pitt County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Pitt County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple systems for record retrieval, each providing access to different types of criminal justice information.
In-Person Requests at the Courthouse
The Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court maintains official court records and provides public access during regular business hours:
Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court
100 West 3rd Street
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 695-7100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Pitt County Courts
To request records in person:
- Visit the Clerk's office during business hours
- Complete a record request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees for copies (currently $0.25 per page for standard copies)
- For certified copies, additional fees apply ($5.00 per certification)
Sheriff's Office Records Requests
For arrest records, booking information, and detention center records:
Pitt County Sheriff's Office Records Division
100 West 3rd Street
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 902-2800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Pitt County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains the Charges Inquiry Search system for recent arrest information and the Detainee Search portal for current inmate information.
Mail Requests
For those unable to visit in person, mail requests are accepted by both the Clerk of Court and Sheriff's Office. Requests should include:
- A completed records request form (available on the respective agency websites)
- A copy of valid government-issued photo identification
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for return documents
- Payment for applicable fees (check or money order)
- Specific information about the records being requested (full name, date of birth, case numbers if known)
Criminal Background Checks
For comprehensive criminal history information:
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Information and Identification Section
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 662-4500
NC SBI Background Checks
The SBI provides statewide criminal history checks for a fee of $14.00 per name search. Fingerprint-based checks are also available for enhanced accuracy at a higher fee.
How To Find Criminal Records in Pitt County Online?
Pitt County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital portals provide convenient access to various components of the criminal justice system without requiring in-person visits to government offices.
Pitt County Sheriff's Office Online Resources
The Pitt County Sheriff's Office maintains two primary online databases:
-
Charges Inquiry Search: This portal allows users to search for recent arrest information and charges filed in Pitt County. The system contains records from the past 30 days and can be searched by name or booking number. Information provided includes:
- Defendant name
- Booking date and time
- Charges filed
- Bond amounts
- Court dates
-
Detainee Search: This database provides information on individuals currently held in the Pitt County Detention Center. Users can search by name or booking number to access:
- Current custody status
- Booking date
- Charges
- Bond information
- Projected release date (when applicable)
No registration is required to access these Sheriff's Office databases, though users must agree to terms of use before conducting searches.
North Carolina Judicial Branch Resources
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts provides several online resources applicable to Pitt County:
-
North Carolina Court System Public Records Search: This statewide portal allows users to search court records across North Carolina, including Pitt County. The system provides:
- Case information
- Hearing dates
- Case status
- Judgment information
- Party names
-
Criminal Background Check Portal: This service allows users to request official criminal background checks from the Administrative Office of the Courts. Fees apply for this service, and results can be delivered electronically.
Registration is required for some advanced features of the North Carolina Judicial Branch systems, particularly for bulk data access or attorney-specific functions.
Limitations of Online Records
Users should be aware of several limitations when accessing Pitt County criminal records online:
- Records may not be comprehensive or complete
- Some case details may only be available through in-person requests
- Juvenile records are not available online pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 7B-3000
- Expunged or sealed records will not appear in online searches
- Historical records (older than 10 years) may have limited availability online
- Some documents require in-person review at the courthouse
For the most comprehensive criminal record information, combining online searches with in-person requests at the Pitt County Courthouse is recommended.
Can You Search Pitt County Criminal Records for Free?
Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 132-6.2, public agencies may charge only the "actual cost" of providing copies of public records. However, inspection of records is generally available at no cost. Pitt County offers several free options for accessing criminal records:
Free In-Person Inspection
The following locations provide free public inspection of criminal records during regular business hours:
Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court
100 West 3rd Street
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 695-7100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Pitt County Courts
Members of the public may visit the Clerk's office to inspect court records at no charge. Public access terminals are available for searching case information. While inspection is free, printing or copying documents incurs standard fees ($0.25 per page).
Pitt County Sheriff's Office
100 West 3rd Street
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 902-2800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Pitt County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office provides free inspection of certain law enforcement records, though some records may require formal requests and fees for copies.
Free Online Resources
Pitt County and the State of North Carolina maintain several free online portals for criminal record searches:
-
Pitt County Charges Inquiry Search: This free database allows searches of recent arrest information and charges filed in Pitt County.
-
Pitt County Detainee Search: This free resource provides information on individuals currently held in the Pitt County Detention Center.
-
North Carolina Court System Public Records Search: Basic case information is available at no charge through this statewide portal.
Fee-Based Services
While basic inspection and some online searches are free, certain criminal record services in Pitt County do require payment:
- Certified copies of court documents: $5.00 per certification plus copy fees
- Criminal background checks through the SBI: $14.00 per name-based search
- Comprehensive criminal history reports: Fees vary based on scope
- Expedited record searches: Additional fees may apply
- Bulk data requests: Fees based on volume and format
The North Carolina Public Records Law allows agencies to charge reasonable fees to recover the actual cost of providing copies, but not for the inspection of records. Pursuant to § 132-6.2(b), "Fees for copies of public records may not be used to discourage requests for information or as obstacles to disclosure of requested information."
What's Included in a Pitt County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Pitt County typically contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system. The specific content may vary depending on the case complexity and the maintaining agency, but generally includes the following categories of information:
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph when available
- Current and previous addresses
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Booking number and facility
- Initial charges filed at arrest
- Probable cause statements
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility location
- Release date and conditions (if applicable)
Court Case Information
- Court case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction (District or Superior Court)
- Assigned judge
- Charges filed by the prosecutor with corresponding North Carolina General Statute citations
- Classification of offenses (felony class A-I or misdemeanor class 1-3)
- Plea information
- Defense attorney information
- Prosecution attorney information
- Pre-trial motions and rulings
- Trial dates and proceedings
Disposition and Sentencing
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date
- Sentencing details including:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Community service requirements
- Treatment program mandates
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation or parole status and violations
- Completion of sentence information
Additional Information
- Active warrants or pending charges
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI offenses and license restrictions
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Probation or parole officer contact information
- Risk assessment classifications
- Prior criminal history references
The comprehensiveness of criminal records is governed by North Carolina General Statute § 15A-502, which mandates the collection and maintenance of specific criminal history information. Records maintained by the Pitt County Sheriff's Office typically focus on arrest and detention information, while the Pitt County Clerk of Court maintains the official court proceedings and disposition records.
How Long Does Pitt County Keep Criminal Records?
Pitt County adheres to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' Records Retention and Disposition Schedule for the maintenance and eventual disposition of criminal records. This schedule, established pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 121-5, governs how long different types of criminal records must be preserved.
The retention periods for various criminal records in Pitt County are as follows:
Court Records
- Felony Case Files: Permanently maintained for serious felonies (Class A-E); 20 years after case closure for Class F-I felonies
- Misdemeanor Case Files: 5-10 years after case closure, depending on offense classification
- Traffic Cases: 3 years after case closure for most traffic offenses
- Court Dockets and Indexes: Permanently maintained
- Grand Jury Records: Permanently maintained
- Expunged Records: Destroyed pursuant to court order under N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 through § 15A-146
Law Enforcement Records
- Arrest Reports: 20 years
- Incident Reports: 5 years
- Investigation Case Files: 20 years for solved cases; permanently maintained for unsolved major cases
- Booking Records: 10 years
- Fingerprint Cards: 3 years after death of individual or 75 years, whichever comes first
- Mugshot/Booking Photos: 3 years after death of individual or 75 years, whichever comes first
- 911 Recordings: 30 days minimum; longer if part of an investigation
Detention Center Records
- Inmate Records: 10 years after release
- Visitor Logs: 3 years
- Inmate Medical Records: 10 years after release
- Detention Facility Incident Reports: 5 years
Juvenile Records
- Juvenile Case Files: Sealed records maintained until the juvenile reaches age 18, then subject to specific destruction schedules based on case outcome pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000
- Juvenile Sex Offender Registration: Maintained until court-ordered removal
It is important to note that while physical records may be destroyed according to these retention schedules, electronic records or indices may be maintained for longer periods. Additionally, records that have been microfilmed or digitized may be retained in that format even after physical copies are destroyed.
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts maintains a centralized database of criminal records that may preserve information beyond the county-level retention periods. Historical records of significant cases may also be transferred to the State Archives for permanent preservation.
Lookup Criminal Records in Pitt County
Pitt County Charges Inquiry Search
Pitt County Sheriff's Office Records
Pitt County Detention Center Inmate Search
North Carolina Court Records Portal
Criminal Background Check Services