Warrants are considered public records in Guilford County, North Carolina, pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. § 132-1). This statute establishes that all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material made or received by government agencies in North Carolina in the transaction of public business are public records. These records must be accessible for inspection by any person, unless specifically exempted by law.
The Guilford County Sheriff's Office maintains warrant records as part of its legal obligations under state law. These records document the judicial authorization for law enforcement actions and serve as an important component of the criminal justice system's transparency. While most warrant information is publicly accessible, certain details may be redacted in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4, which provides exemptions for specific law enforcement records when disclosure would jeopardize an investigation or reveal confidential informant identities.
Members of the public seeking warrant information may access these records through established channels at the Guilford County Sheriff's Office or through the county's judicial system.
Warrant records maintained by the Guilford County Legal Process Division typically contain the following information:
The comprehensiveness of warrant records serves multiple purposes within the criminal justice system, including facilitating proper identification of subjects and ensuring appropriate procedural compliance by law enforcement officers. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-301, warrants must contain sufficient particularity regarding both the subject and the alleged offense.
Members of the public may verify the existence of warrants in Guilford County through several no-cost methods established by county authorities:
Individuals seeking warrant information should be prepared to provide identifying information such as full name and date of birth to facilitate accurate record searches. The Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 15A-301, which governs the issuance and execution of criminal process in North Carolina.
The Guilford County Sheriff's Office Warrant Squad, operating under the Legal Process Division, is responsible for the service and execution of criminal warrants throughout the county. This specialized unit processes thousands of warrants annually in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 15A-301.1, which establishes the procedures for warrant issuance, tracking, and service.
Sheriff's warrants in Guilford County are categorized as follows:
The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated Warrant Squad that operates from two locations:
Guilford County Sheriff's Office - Greensboro Division
400 W. Washington Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
(336) 641-3355
Official Website
Guilford County Sheriff's Office - High Point Division
505 E. Green Drive
High Point, NC 27260
(336) 641-2300
Official Website
The execution of warrants follows strict protocols established by state law and departmental policy to ensure both public safety and the protection of individual rights during the apprehension process.
Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in Guilford County may utilize several official channels established by county authorities:
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-301.1, the Administrative Office of the Courts maintains an automated electronic repository for criminal process, including warrants, which facilitates the verification of warrant status. This system is regularly updated to reflect current information regarding active warrants throughout the state.
Individuals with active warrants are advised that voluntary surrender arrangements can be made through the Sheriff's Office, which may be considered favorably by the court during subsequent proceedings.
The verification of outstanding warrants in Guilford County is facilitated through established procedures maintained by county law enforcement and judicial authorities. Members of the public may utilize the following methods to conduct warrant searches:
In accordance with N.C.G.S. § 15A-301.1(k), the Administrative Office of the Courts maintains a statewide electronic repository for criminal process, including outstanding warrants. This system is accessible to law enforcement agencies and authorized court personnel throughout North Carolina.
Individuals conducting warrant searches should be aware that certain information may be restricted if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation or endanger law enforcement personnel, pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4.