Warrant records in Lenoir County, North Carolina are considered public records pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1, which defines public records as "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions."
The North Carolina Public Records Law establishes that these documents must be made available for inspection by any person, with certain statutory exceptions. Warrant information is maintained by the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office and the Lenoir County Clerk of Superior Court. While most warrant information is accessible to the public, certain details may be redacted in accordance with state law to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or juvenile information.
Members of the public seeking warrant information should be aware that active warrants for serious offenses may not be fully disclosed if such disclosure could impede apprehension of the subject. Additionally, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-301, certain warrants may be sealed by judicial order when disclosure would jeopardize an investigation or endanger witnesses.
Warrant records maintained by Lenoir County authorities typically contain the following information as required by North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-304:
Pursuant to North Carolina law, warrant records may also include supplemental documentation such as affidavits establishing probable cause, though these documents may be subject to redaction or sealing under certain circumstances. The Lenoir County Clerk of Superior Court maintains these records in accordance with record retention schedules established by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts.
Members of the public may verify warrant status in Lenoir County through several no-cost methods established by local authorities:
Individuals seeking information about their own possible warrants may need to provide proper identification when making inquiries in person. Third-party inquiries about another individual's warrant status are permitted for public records, though certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws.
The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within the unincorporated areas of Lenoir County. Sheriff warrants are issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-301 through § 15A-305, which establish the legal framework for warrant issuance and execution.
The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated Warrants Division that processes and serves various types of warrants including:
The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office Warrants Division can be contacted at:
Lenoir County Sheriff's Office
130 South Queen Street
Kinston, NC 28502
Phone: (252) 559-6100
Official Website
Pursuant to North Carolina law, the Sheriff's Office maintains a database of active warrants that is updated regularly. This information is shared with other law enforcement agencies through the Division of Criminal Information (DCI) network and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) when appropriate.
As of 2025, individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Lenoir County may utilize several official channels established by North Carolina judicial authorities:
Pursuant to North Carolina Administrative Code Title 12, Chapter 4, individuals may also submit a formal request for criminal record information through the State Bureau of Investigation. This process requires submission of fingerprints and payment of applicable fees.
Individuals should be aware that attempting to determine warrant status does not prevent service of the warrant, and those with active warrants may be subject to immediate arrest when contacting law enforcement agencies.
Verification of outstanding warrants in Lenoir County may be accomplished through several official channels established by North Carolina statutes and local ordinances:
Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1.4, certain law enforcement records may be withheld if disclosure would jeopardize an investigation or reveal confidential information. However, basic warrant information is generally considered public record once formally filed with the court.
Employers, landlords, and other entities with legitimate interests may also access warrant information through authorized background check services that comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and applicable North Carolina laws governing access to public records.