Pasquotank County Public Records / Pasquotank County Arrest Records

Pasquotank County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Pasquotank County in 2026

PasquotankRecords.us provides data and publicly available information related to arrest records in Pasquotank County. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, mugshots, and related court case data through the resources described below. Record availability and completeness vary by agency and the nature of the underlying case.

Official arrest records in Pasquotank County may be searched through the Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Superior Court, public access terminals at the courthouse, and several online tools maintained by state and local agencies.

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office maintains booking records for individuals processed at the county detention facility. Members of the public may contact the Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about current inmates and recent arrest activity. The Sheriff's Office records division can provide booking numbers, charge information, custody status, and bond amounts for individuals held at the Pasquotank County Jail.

Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office
Pasquotank County Detention Center, 206 E. Colonial Ave.
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 338-2191
Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office

2. Local Police Departments

The Elizabeth City Police Department serves the county seat and maintains arrest logs and press releases that may include recent arrest information. Members of the public may submit public records requests to the department's records division for copies of arrest reports and related documentation.

Elizabeth City Police Department
304 E. Colonial Ave.
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 335-4321
Police Department - Elizabeth City, NC

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts operates the eCourts case search portal, which allows members of the public to search criminal court cases by defendant name. Each court case linked to an arrest will display charge information, court dates, and case disposition. The Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court also maintains physical case files available for in-person inspection.

Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court
206 E. Colonial Ave., Courthouse
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 331-4600
NC Courts - Pasquotank County

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction maintains a statewide offender search tool that allows the public to search for individuals currently incarcerated in state prison facilities or under active parole or probation supervision. This database does not include county jail inmates. The NC DAC public records division also accepts formal public records requests for offender information. No fee is charged for basic online searches.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Address: 206 E. Colonial Ave., Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Records division is located at the main Sheriff's Office building
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Phone: (252) 338-2191
What to bring: Valid government-issued photo identification and any known booking number or arrest date
Fees for copies: $0.10 per page for standard copies, per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6.2

Police Departments:

Elizabeth City Police Department, 304 E. Colonial Ave., Elizabeth City, NC 27909; Phone: (252) 335-4321
Records requests may be submitted in person or in writing; standard copy fees apply

Clerk of Court:

Address: 206 E. Colonial Ave., Courthouse, Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Criminal records division is on the main floor of the courthouse
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Phone: (252) 331-4600
Case files are available for public inspection; certified copies are $0.25 per page plus a $3.00 certification fee

By Mail:

Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office, P.O. Box 1578, Elizabeth City, NC 27907
Written requests should include the arrestee's full legal name, date of arrest if known, booking number if known, and the requester's full contact information
Payment for copies should be included with the request
Processing time is typically 5–10 business days

By Phone:

Sheriff's Office: (252) 338-2191
Automated arrest information systems are not currently available; callers may be directed to the online eCourts portal or advised to visit in person
Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available

Through Legal Channels:

Licensed attorneys may submit formal discovery requests or subpoenas for detailed arrest records
Records obtained through subpoena may include materials not available to the general public
Attorneys may also access records through the NC Courts eCourts attorney portal

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, Elizabeth City Police Department, or other agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in Pasquotank County

Arrest records in Pasquotank County are public records under North Carolina law. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1 defines public records broadly to include all documents made or received by a government agency in the transaction of public business, and arrest records fall squarely within this definition. As the North Carolina Department of Justice has stated, "The public records law reflects the state's commitment to open government and the public's right to know how its government agencies are operating."

Arrest records are made available to the public for several recognized purposes, including government transparency and accountability, public safety awareness, community notification, journalism and academic research, employment and housing background screening, and use in legal proceedings.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking number
Mugshot/booking photograph
Bond and bail information
Current custody status
Basic demographic information including age and physical description

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records are restricted and may be sealed under North Carolina law
Expunged arrest records are removed from public access following a court order
Records sealed by court order are not available to the general public
Information related to active criminal investigations may be withheld
Undercover officer identities and confidential informant information are protected
Victim identifying information may be withheld in certain cases, including sexual assault matters
Witness protection participants are not identified in public records

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

The North Carolina Constitution, Article I, Section 18, guarantees access to the courts and supports the principle of open government. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects press access to arrest information as a matter of public concern. Courts have consistently held that the public interest in transparency must be balanced against individual privacy rights, particularly where charges have not resulted in conviction.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

Members of the general public
Media organizations and journalists
Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Landlords, subject to applicable housing discrimination laws
Licensing agencies and professional boards
Background check companies operating under FCRA compliance
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

Employers using arrest records for hiring decisions must comply with the FCRA and applicable state employment laws. North Carolina does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law for private employers, but certain municipalities have adopted fair chance hiring policies. The distinction between an arrest and a conviction is legally significant: an arrest record does not establish guilt, and reliance on arrest records alone for adverse employment or housing decisions may give rise to legal liability.

What's in Pasquotank County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and any aliases or "also known as" names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and race/ethnicity
Height, weight, eye color, and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be partially redacted)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest (street address or general area)
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Elizabeth City Police Department, or other)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information, if applicable

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges
North Carolina statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions and classifications (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts for each charge
Domestic violence designation, if applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Intake process timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints are collected but are not included in public records

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount set by the court or magistrate
Bond type: cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance, or no bond
Release date and time, if released
Release conditions, if made public

Court Information:

Court case number assigned
Court jurisdiction (Pasquotank County Superior or District Court)
Scheduled arraignment or first appearance date
Judge assignment, if available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest from the police report
Witness statements and victim information
Evidence collected during the investigation
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted by law)
Bank account or financial information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain more detailed incident narratives and are subject to separate public records analysis
Court records: Document legal proceedings that occur after the arrest
Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences, not merely arrests
Background checks: Compile information from multiple sources including court, law enforcement, and state repositories

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Pasquotank County?

Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6.2, agencies may charge for the actual cost of reproducing public records. Current standard fees in Pasquotank County are as follows:

Record Type	Fee
Standard paper copies	$0.10 per page
Certified court copies	$0.25 per page + $3.00 certification fee
Electronic records (where available)	No charge or nominal media fee
Search fee	No charge for basic name searches
Inspection of records	No charge

Accepted payment methods at the Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Court include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the applicable agency
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest; requesters must submit a written waiver request
Basic online searches through the NC Courts eCourts portal and the NC DAC offender search are available at no charge
Fees may vary slightly between the Sheriff's Office, the Elizabeth City Police Department, and the Clerk of Court

How To Delete Arrest Records in Pasquotank County

North Carolina law provides for expungement, which is the legal erasure of an arrest record from public access, and in some cases the physical destruction of the underlying documents. Expungement differs from sealing, which restricts public access but does not destroy the record. Under North Carolina's expungement statutes, codified at N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-145 and related provisions, a petition for expungement may be filed in the following circumstances:

Charges that were dismissed or resulted in a finding of not guilty
First-time nonviolent misdemeanor or felony convictions, subject to waiting periods
Certain drug offenses after completion of a diversion program
Arrests where no charges were filed
Juvenile records in specified circumstances

The process for obtaining an expungement in Pasquotank County requires the petitioner to file a completed AOC-CR-281 petition form with the Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court. The petition must include the petitioner's identifying information, the case number, and the basis for expungement. A filing fee of $175.00 applies to most petitions, though no fee is charged for petitions based on dismissal or acquittal. The District Attorney's Office reviews the petition and may object. A judge then rules on the petition, and if granted, the order is transmitted to the State Bureau of Investigation and other relevant agencies for record removal.

Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court
206 E. Colonial Ave., Courthouse
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 331-4600
NC Courts - Pasquotank County

Pasquotank County District Attorney's Office (7th Prosecutorial District)
206 E. Colonial Ave.
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 331-4700
NC Conference of District Attorneys

Petitioners who cannot afford an attorney may seek assistance from Legal Aid of North Carolina, which provides free civil legal services to eligible low-income residents.

What Happens After Arrest in Pasquotank County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Pasquotank County Detention Center at 206 E. Colonial Ave., Elizabeth City, NC 27909. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest. The individual remains in restraints during transport and may be held briefly at the scene if the investigation requires it.

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the detention facility, the booking process begins and typically takes one to four hours depending on facility volume. Steps include recording personal information, photographing the individual (mugshot), collecting fingerprints, conducting a criminal history and outstanding warrants check, inventorying and storing personal property, issuing a jail uniform, and completing medical and mental health screenings. A housing classification determination is also made at this stage.

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under North Carolina law, an arrested individual must be brought before a magistrate or judge within 48 hours of arrest for a first appearance. At this hearing, the individual is formally notified of the charges, advised of the right to counsel, and a bond determination is made. The hearing may be conducted via video conference. The NC Courts website provides court schedules and case information.

Bond/Bail Process:

Types of Bond:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount must be paid in cash. The amount is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees. The amount is set by the magistrate or judge.

Surety Bond: The individual may hire a licensed bail bondsman, who posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, which is 15% of the bond amount in North Carolina.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The individual is released on a written promise to appear. No money is required. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment, criminal history, the nature of the charges, and flight risk assessment.

No Bond: The individual is held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or outstanding out-of-state warrants.

Conditions of Release:

Regular check-in requirements with pretrial services
Travel restrictions
No-contact orders
Drug and alcohol testing
GPS monitoring in certain cases
Pretrial supervision

4. Release or Continued Detention

If Bond Posted: Processing for release typically takes one to eight hours. Personal property is returned, a court date is provided, and written conditions of release are issued. Failure to appear at all scheduled court dates results in bond forfeiture.

If Bond Not Posted: The individual remains in custody, receives a housing assignment, completes inmate orientation, and is informed of commissary, phone, and visitation privileges.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Public Defender:

Individuals who cannot afford private counsel may apply for representation by the NC Office of Indigent Defense Services. Eligibility is based on income. The application is completed at the first appearance.

NC Office of Indigent Defense Services – District 6
306 E. Colonial Ave.
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 331-4740
NC Indigent Defense Services

Private Attorney:

Individuals have the right to retain private counsel at any stage of the proceedings. The North Carolina State Bar Lawyer Referral Service can assist in locating a licensed attorney.

Charging Decision:

Prosecutor's Review:

The 7th District Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. This review typically occurs within days to weeks of the arrest.

Arraignment:

At arraignment, the formal charges are read and the defendant enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at this stage, and subsequent court dates are set.

Court Process Overview:

Pretrial Phase:

Discovery involves the exchange of police reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and audio/video recordings between the prosecution and defense. Pretrial motions, including motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges, may be filed and heard before trial. Plea negotiations may result in a resolution prior to trial.

Case Resolution Options:

Dismissal: Charges are dropped due to insufficient evidence, witness unavailability, or legal defects. A dismissal may make the individual eligible for expungement.
Diversion Programs: Eligible individuals may participate in pretrial intervention, drug court, mental health court, or veterans court. Successful completion results in dismissal of charges.
Plea Agreement: The defendant accepts a guilty or no contest plea to agreed-upon charges, and a sentencing hearing is scheduled.
Trial: The defendant exercises the right to a jury or bench trial. If found guilty, a sentencing hearing follows.

Sentencing (if convicted):

The judge may impose a sentence of incarceration, probation, fines and court costs, restitution, community service, treatment programs, or a combination. Credit is given for time served in pretrial detention. Appeal rights are explained at sentencing.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: Within 48 hours
First appearance to arraignment: Days to several weeks
Arraignment to trial or resolution: Several months, varying widely by case complexity
Misdemeanors: Resolved within weeks to several months
Felonies: May take six months to over a year
Right to speedy trial: Guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 18 of the North Carolina Constitution

Rights Throughout Process:

Right to remain silent
Right to an attorney
Right to a speedy and public trial
Right to confront witnesses
Right to present a defense
Right against self-incrimination
Right to appeal a conviction

Important Contacts:

Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
206 E. Colonial Ave.
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 338-2191
Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office

Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court
206 E. Colonial Ave., Courthouse
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 331-4600
NC Courts - Pasquotank County

7th District Attorney's Office
206 E. Colonial Ave.
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 331-4700
NC Conference of District Attorneys

NC Office of Indigent Defense Services – District 6
306 E. Colonial Ave.
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 331-4740
NC Indigent Defense Services

What to Do If You're Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Politely exercise the right to remain silent
Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
Do not discuss the case with anyone other than your attorney
Contact family or friends for assistance with bail
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Pasquotank County?

Records Retention Overview:

Records retention in Pasquotank County is governed by state law and the policies of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources publishes the official records retention and disposition schedule applicable to law enforcement and court agencies. As the North Carolina State Archives has noted, "Retention schedules establish the minimum period that records must be kept before they may be legally destroyed."

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Active Arrest Records (Conviction Resulted):

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Court, NC State Bureau of Investigation, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
Part of the individual's permanent criminal history

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Clerk of Court and the NC State Bureau of Investigation
Local law enforcement retains booking records for a minimum of five years

Arrest Records (No Conviction):

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement retains records for a minimum of three years
Court records are retained permanently unless expunged
State repository retains records unless an expungement order is received

Acquittals (Not Guilty):

Local law enforcement retains records for a minimum of three years
Court records are often retained permanently
Records may be expunged upon petition

Charges Not Filed:

Booking records are retained for a minimum of three years
Local arrest logs are retained for a minimum of three years
Individuals may be eligible to petition for immediate expungement

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Physical Records:

Booking paperwork: Minimum three years
Fingerprint cards: Minimum five years for non-conviction records; permanent for convictions
Photographs: Retained consistent with the underlying case record

Digital Records:

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records: Minimum three years
Records management systems: Often retained permanently
Court electronic records: Retained permanently in the eCourts system

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies may retain records indefinitely and are not controlled by law enforcement
The FCRA requires that consumer reporting agencies maintain accurate and current information; however, third-party websites are not always updated when records are expunged

Retention by Agency:

Sheriff's Office:

Booking records: Minimum three years for non-convictions; permanent for felony convictions
Arrest reports: Minimum three years
Investigative files: Varies by case type and outcome
Contact: (252) 338-2191

Elizabeth City Police Department:

Arrest records: Minimum three years
Incident reports: Minimum three years
Contact: (252) 335-4321

Clerk of Court:

Felony case files: Permanent
Misdemeanor case files: Minimum ten years
Traffic cases: Minimum three years
Electronic records: Permanent in the eCourts system

State Repository:

The NC State Bureau of Investigation maintains the state criminal history repository
Retention policy: Permanent for conviction records; non-conviction records are retained unless an expungement order is received
The NC State Bureau of Investigation processes expungement orders and updates the state repository accordingly

FBI Database:

The NCIC and Interstate Identification Index (III) retain records at the federal level, typically permanently
Accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide for background checks related to employment, firearms purchases, and other purposes

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Conviction: Records are retained permanently in all major databases and appear on background checks indefinitely.

Dismissal: Records may remain in databases unless the individual obtains an expungement order. Dismissed charges are not reported on standard employment background checks by compliant consumer reporting agencies.

Expungement: Following a court order, local records are sealed or destroyed, the state repository is updated, and the FBI database is notated. The timeframe for removal from all systems varies but is typically 60 to 90 days after the order is entered.

No Charges Filed: Booking records are subject to the shortest retention periods and may be purged after three years. Individuals may request immediate removal in some cases through the expungement process.

Accessing Historical Arrest Records:

Recent Arrests (Last Five Years):

Available online through the NC Courts eCourts portal
Updated on a regular basis

Older Arrests (Five to Twenty Years Ago):

May require an in-person request at the Sheriff's Office or Clerk of Court
Possible retrieval fee for archived records
Processing time may be longer than for current records

Very Old Arrests (More Than Twenty Years Ago):

Records may not be digitized and may exist only in paper form
Some records may have been destroyed pursuant to the applicable retention schedule
Contact the Sheriff's Office records division at (252) 338-2191 for assistance

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the FCRA, most employment background checks cover a seven-year period for non-conviction records. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. North Carolina does not currently impose a shorter reporting period for convictions by statute. Arrests without conviction may not be used as the sole basis for adverse employment decisions in certain regulated industries.

How to Check Retention Status:

Contact the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office records division at (252) 338-2191
Submit a written public records request identifying the specific arrest by name, date, and booking number if known
Fees may apply for copies of responsive records

Lookup Arrest Records in Pasquotank County

NC inmate and offender search — Search for individuals currently incarcerated in NC state prison facilities or under parole and probation supervision
NC DAC public records requests — Submit formal public records requests to the NC Department of Adult Correction for offender information
Elizabeth City Police Department — Access arrest logs, press releases, and submit records requests to the Elizabeth City Police Department