Pasquotank County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Pasquotank County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Pasquotank County may access publicly available information through a combination of official government portals, courthouse resources, and aggregator platforms such as PasquotankRecords.us. Criminal records maintained by county and state agencies may include arrest logs, court case filings, disposition records, sentencing information, and booking data. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the case, and whether the record has been sealed, expunged, or otherwise restricted under North Carolina law.
Records that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Arrest and booking records
- District and Superior Court case filings
- Conviction and sentencing records
- Jail inmate rosters
- Active warrant information
- Sex offender registry entries
- Probation and parole status (where publicly disclosed)
1. County Court Records
The Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court maintains criminal case files for both District Court and Superior Court proceedings. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse during regular business hours. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court
206 E Main St
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 331-4600
Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court
Public access terminals are available inside the courthouse for case lookups at no charge. Staff-assisted searches and certified copies are subject to statutory fees.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking logs, and current inmate rosters. Members of the public may submit records requests in person or in writing. The Sheriff's Office publishes a current jail roster online and processes written requests for arrest records on a rolling basis.
Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office
704 E Colonial Ave
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (252) 338-2191
Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The North Carolina Courts case search portal allows members of the public to search criminal case records statewide, including Pasquotank County. Users may search by full name, case number, or attorney of record. The portal returns case status, charge descriptions, filing dates, and disposition information. Sealed, expunged, and juvenile records do not appear in online results.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) maintains the state's central criminal history repository. Formal background check requests require submission of the subject's full name, date of birth, and, for certified checks, fingerprint cards. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
3320 Garner Rd
Raleigh, NC 27626
Phone: (919) 662-4500
NC SBI Criminal History Record Check
5. Written and Mail Requests
Written requests for criminal records may be submitted to the Clerk of Superior Court or the Sheriff's Office by mail. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
What Is Pasquotank County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Pasquotank County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under North Carolina law, criminal records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through the judicial process.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest without a subsequent conviction does not constitute a criminal conviction under North Carolina law.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are classified as Class A through Class I offenses under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.17 and carry more severe penalties. Misdemeanors are classified as Class A1, Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records involving individuals under age 16 (or under 18 for certain offenses) are handled through the juvenile justice system and are not public records under North Carolina law.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest; historical records document past proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Pasquotank County include:
- Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail booking logs, inmate records
- Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court — court case files, dispositions, sentencing orders
- NC State Bureau of Investigation — statewide criminal history repository
- Elizabeth City Police Department — arrest records for incidents within city limits
Records may include charges filed, arraignment proceedings, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, fines, restitution orders, and probation or parole conditions. The North Carolina Courts website serves as the primary public-facing portal for court-based criminal records in the county.
Are Criminal Records Public In Pasquotank County
Criminal records in Pasquotank County are public records under North Carolina law. The North Carolina Public Records Law, codified at N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 132, establishes that all records made or received by a public agency in the course of official business are presumptively open to public inspection. As stated in § 132-1: "The public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people."
Records that are currently accessible to the public include:
- Adult conviction records
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Arrest logs and booking records
- Jail inmate rosters
- Sex offender registry information
Records that are restricted or exempt from public disclosure include:
- Juvenile records (sealed by statute)
- Expunged records (removed from public access upon court order)
- Records sealed by judicial order
- Ongoing criminal investigation files
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
The North Carolina Attorney General's Office provides guidance on the application of the Public Records Law to criminal justice records. Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal disclosure rules and are not subject to North Carolina's public records statutes.
How To Find Criminal Records in Pasquotank County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online resource for Pasquotank County criminal court records is the NC Courts case search portal, which provides access to District and Superior Court case information. Users may search by name or case number and filter results by county. The Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office publishes a current jail roster on its website, reflecting individuals currently in custody.
State-Level Resources
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety offender search allows members of the public to search for individuals currently or previously under state supervision. The NC Sex Offender Registry is maintained by the NC SBI and is searchable by name, county, or address.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference results across the court portal, Sheriff's roster, and SBI databases
- Note that records predating digital indexing may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in any public online database
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of 24 to 72 hours following a court proceeding or booking event. Historical records predating the mid-1990s may not be fully digitized and may require an in-person request at the courthouse. Online results do not constitute an official certified background check for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Pasquotank County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
North Carolina law mandates that public records be made available for inspection free of charge. Under § 132-6, agencies may not charge a fee for the inspection of public records, though fees may be assessed for copies. Members of the public may inspect criminal case files at the Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court and use public access terminals in the courthouse at no cost.
2. Free Online Databases
The following resources are currently available at no charge:
- NC Courts case search — criminal case filings and dispositions
- Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office jail roster — current inmate information
- NC Sex Offender Registry — registered offender search
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office are public records and may be inspected in person at no charge.
What Costs Money
| Record Type | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $0.25 per page (statutory) |
| Official state criminal background check | $14.00 (SBI standard) |
| Fingerprint-based background check | Varies by submission method |
| Staff-assisted record search | May vary by agency |
| Expedited processing (SBI) | Additional fee may apply |
Fee amounts for certified copies are governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-308, which establishes the schedule of court costs and fees applicable to clerk of court services. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the presiding court.
What's Included in a Pasquotank County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record maintained by Pasquotank County agencies and the NC SBI repository may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), mugshot photograph, last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records include the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond amount, and the name of the detention facility.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court of jurisdiction (District or Superior Court), filing date, charge descriptions with applicable statute citations, felony or misdemeanor classification, plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (incarceration length, suspended sentence, fines, restitution, probationary conditions), any appeals filed, and current probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
- Outstanding warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DWI/DUI adjudications
- Pending charges not yet adjudicated
Records NOT Included
- Juvenile adjudications (sealed under North Carolina law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Charges dismissed through completed diversion programs
- Federal criminal records (maintained separately by the FBI)
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal record may submit a challenge to the NC SBI through the criminal record challenge process. Inaccurate records can affect employment, housing, and professional licensing outcomes, and correction requests should be submitted with supporting documentation.
How Long Does Pasquotank County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
North Carolina's records retention schedules, administered by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, establish minimum retention periods for criminal justice records held by county agencies. State law requires that certain categories of records be retained permanently.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony conviction records | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor conviction records | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Minimum 3 years; may be retained longer |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Retained with disposition noted |
| Juvenile records | Sealed; destroyed after subject reaches age 21 in most cases |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency-Specific Retention
- County courts: The Clerk of Superior Court retains criminal case files permanently in accordance with the NC Judicial Branch records retention schedule.
- Sheriff's Office: Jail and booking records are retained for a minimum period established by the county's adopted retention schedule, with felony-related records retained longer.
- NC SBI repository: Conviction records are retained permanently in the state criminal history database.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many instances. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digital preservation, provided the electronic copy meets archival standards.
Expungement
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-145 and related statutes, eligible individuals may petition the court for expungement of certain criminal records. Upon the granting of an expungement order, the record is removed from public access and the agency is directed to seal or destroy the physical file. Expunged records may, however, remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specified purposes. Expungement petition forms are available through the NC Courts expungement resources page.
Even if a county agency destroys physical records following the applicable retention period, electronic copies may continue to exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged pursuant to a valid court order.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are subject to federal retention rules and are not affected by North Carolina expungement orders unless the FBI is separately notified and complies with the removal request.
Practical Implications
Felony convictions appear on background checks indefinitely under current law. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of most criminal records to seven years for positions paying below a certain salary threshold, though no such limit applies to positions above that threshold or to many professional licensing inquiries.