Moore County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Moore County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Moore County may access publicly available information through MooreRecords.org, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records in Moore County may include arrest logs, court case filings, booking records, conviction histories, and sentencing information. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the case, and applicable state law governing disclosure.
Records that may be found through official and third-party channels include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Felony and misdemeanor court case filings
- Conviction and sentencing records
- Active and historical warrants
- Sex offender registration entries
- Jail inmate rosters
- Dismissed and acquitted case records (showing disposition)
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary access points available to the public.
1. County Court Records
The Moore County Clerk of Superior Court maintains criminal case files for matters heard in Moore County.
Moore County Clerk of Superior Court
Carthage Street, Carthage, NC 28327
Phone: (910) 947-2396
Moore County Clerk of Superior Court
Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full name of the subject and an approximate case date or case number. Public access terminals are available on-site for self-service searches of the court's electronic docket.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Moore County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters.
Moore County Sheriff's Office
PO Box 187, Carthage, NC 28327
Phone: (910) 947-2931
Moore County Sheriff's Office
Arrest and booking records may be requested in person or in writing. The Sheriff's Office publishes a current jail inmate roster on its website. Fees for copies of records are assessed in accordance with North Carolina public records law.
3. Online Court Search
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts operates the eCourts case search portal, which allows members of the public to search criminal case records statewide, including Moore County. Users may search by full name, case number, or filing date. The portal reflects case status, charges, and dispositions for cases entered into the electronic system. Older or pre-digitized records may not appear and require an in-person request.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) maintains the statewide criminal history repository.
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
3320 Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27626
Phone: (919) 662-4500
NC SBI Criminal History Record Check
Formal background check requests submitted to the SBI require fingerprinting for name-based or fingerprint-based searches. Processing times and fees vary by request type. Fingerprint-based checks are the most accurate method for obtaining a complete criminal history.
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Moore County Clerk of Superior Court at the address listed above. Requests should include the subject's full name, date of birth, and the approximate time period of the records sought. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
What Is Moore County Criminal Records
A criminal record is an official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and outcomes. In North Carolina, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the lifecycle of a criminal case.
The distinction between record types is significant:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt. A conviction record reflects a finding of guilt by plea or verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification and carry potential sentences of more than one year of imprisonment. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both are documented in the court record.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public disclosure under state law. Juvenile records are confidential under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000 and are not available to the general public.
- 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 Moore County include:
- Moore County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail records, booking information
- Moore County Clerk of Superior Court — court case files, dispositions, sentencing records
- NC State Bureau of Investigation — statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments — incident and arrest reports within their respective jurisdictions
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through arraignment, plea negotiations, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or supervision. A complete criminal record may include charges filed, arraignment dates, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, fines, restitution orders, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Moore County
Criminal records in Moore County are public records under North Carolina law. The North Carolina Public Records Law, codified at N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 132, establishes that public records are the property of the people and shall be open for inspection and examination at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision. 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 available to the public include adult conviction records, court case filings, sentencing information, and arrest records. However, certain categories of records are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- 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
- Records subject to federal confidentiality requirements
The North Carolina Department of Justice provides guidance on the application of public records law to criminal justice information. Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal statutes and are not subject to North Carolina's public records law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Moore County Online?
Official County Resources
The primary online resource for Moore County court records is the NC Courts eCourts portal, which provides public access to criminal case information including charges, case status, and dispositions. The Moore County Sheriff's Office website publishes a current jail inmate roster at moorecountync.gov/sheriff. Each portal contains different data: the court portal reflects judicial proceedings, while the Sheriff's site reflects current custody status.
State-Level Resources
The North Carolina Courts case search covers all counties statewide. The NC SBI operates a criminal history background check system for formal record requests. These state-level tools provide broader search capability across jurisdictions.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases to obtain a complete picture
- Note that records older than the electronic filing cutoff may not appear online
- Expunged or sealed records will not appear in public search results
Limitations
Online databases reflect a data lag between court activity and electronic posting. Historical records predating electronic filing systems are not available online and require in-person requests. Online results do not constitute an official background check for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Moore County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
North Carolina law mandates that public records be available for free inspection. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, agencies may not charge a fee for the inspection of public records, though fees may be assessed for copies. In-person inspection is available at the Moore County Clerk of Superior Court and the Moore County Sheriff's Office at the addresses listed above.
2. Free Online Databases
The following resources are available at no cost:
- NC Courts eCourts case search — criminal case filings and dispositions
- Moore County Sheriff's Office inmate roster — current jail population
- NC Sex Offender Registry — registered offenders statewide
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports are available through the Moore County Sheriff's Office and may be inspected at no charge during regular business hours.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $0.25 per page (standard) |
| Certified judgment or order | Set by clerk's fee schedule |
| Official SBI background check | Varies by request type |
| Staff-assisted record searches | May incur labor costs |
| Fingerprint-based criminal history | Fee assessed by SBI |
Fee schedules are established under North Carolina court rules and are subject to change. Indigent requestors may seek fee waivers through the court in appropriate circumstances.
What's Included in a Moore County Criminal Record?
Identifying Information
A criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, mugshot photograph, last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (with felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution orders, conditions of supervision, any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Categories
- Active and historical warrants
- Protective orders
- Sex offender registration status (searchable via the NC Sex Offender Registry)
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudications (sealed under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed diversion program records where expungement has been granted
Accuracy Note
Criminal records may contain errors resulting from data entry, name similarities, or incomplete updates. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their records may petition the originating court or agency for correction. Accurate and complete records are essential for fair outcomes in employment, licensing, and legal proceedings.
How Long Does Moore County Keep Criminal Records?
Legal Requirements
North Carolina's records retention schedules, administered by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county agencies. State law mandates minimum retention periods, and agencies may retain records longer at their discretion.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the courts and the SBI
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a period determined by agency policy; may be subject to expunction
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained permanently in court records, showing the disposition
- Juvenile records: Sealed at age 18 under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000; destruction timelines vary by record type and court order
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
- County courts: Permanent retention for criminal case files per NC court records retention rules
- Sheriff/jail: Booking and arrest records retained per the NC Local Government Records Retention Schedule
- NC SBI repository: Permanent retention for conviction records; the NC SBI maintains the authoritative statewide criminal history database
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper documents may be destroyed after scanning and verification, with the electronic version serving as the official record.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or electronic deletion of a record per a retention schedule.
- Sealing removes a record from public access but preserves it for law enforcement use.
- Expungement is a court-ordered process that removes a record from public databases and, in some cases, from law enforcement access. North Carolina's expungement statutes are codified at N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-145 and related provisions. Eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and the time elapsed since disposition. Expungement petition forms are available through the NC Courts website.
Old Records Access
Pre-digital records may require special requests to the Clerk of Superior Court or the NC State Archives. Some historical records are held at the NC State Archives and may be accessed by appointment.
Federal Records
The FBI maintains its own criminal history database independently of state systems. Federal records are governed by federal law and are not subject to North Carolina's retention or expungement statutes. Even where a state record has been expunged, a corresponding federal record may persist.
Practical Implications
Felony convictions appear on background checks indefinitely under North Carolina law. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act typically report convictions for seven to ten years, though this limitation does not apply to positions with salaries above certain thresholds. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record. As a practical matter, even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged by court order.