Search Beaufort County Police Records

Beaufort County police records are managed by Sheriff Scott Hammonds and the Sheriff's Office in Washington, North Carolina. The detention center at 210 N. Market Street holds up to 85 inmates. Beaufort County participates in the NC Criminal Justice Information Network, which connects local records to the statewide system. This page explains how to search for arrest records, request booking reports, and access criminal case files in Beaufort County. Contact information, office hours, and step-by-step instructions are all included below.

Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Records

Sheriff Scott Hammonds leads the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office. The detention center is at 210 N. Market Street in Washington. Call (252) 946-7113 to reach the facility. The sheriff's office is the primary source for police records in Beaufort County.

Deputies patrol the county and handle law enforcement for unincorporated areas. They respond to calls, investigate crimes, and make arrests. Each of these actions creates police records. Incident reports document what happened. Arrest records capture who was taken into custody and why. All of these records are stored at the sheriff's office in Washington.

Beaufort County participates in the NC Criminal Justice Information Network. This statewide system links local police records to a central database. It helps officers share information across agencies. It also means that some Beaufort County records may be searchable through state-level tools.

Beaufort County Arrest Records

Every arrest in Beaufort County generates a public record. The record lists the name of the person arrested, the date and time, the charges, and the arresting agency. Deputies file this report after each arrest. It becomes part of the permanent record at the sheriff's office.

Booking records add more detail. At the detention center, staff take a photo, collect personal information, and log the charges on a booking form. A magistrate reviews the case and sets bond. The booking record shows all of this. It is a separate document from the arrest report but tied to the same event in Beaufort County.

You can request arrest records by contacting the sheriff's office at (252) 946-7113. Provide the person's name and date of birth. Staff will check the Beaufort County database and let you know what is on file.

Note: Arrest records in Beaufort County are public under the North Carolina Public Records Act.

Beaufort County Criminal Records Online

While Beaufort County does not run its own public-facing records portal, state tools provide online access to some criminal records. The NC Courts system lets you search for cases filed in any county. The NC DPS offender search covers people in state custody.

Visit the NC Courts website to search for criminal cases in Beaufort County. Enter a name or case number. Results show filings, hearing dates, and dispositions. This is free and open to everyone.

The NC Judicial Branch website serves as a gateway to court records across all 100 counties, including criminal cases filed in Beaufort County.

For local-level police records such as arrest reports and booking data, you still need to contact the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office directly. The state system covers court records, not law enforcement files.

How to Get Beaufort County Police Records

Start with a phone call. Dial (252) 946-7113 and ask for the records unit. Tell the staff what you need. A name and approximate date help them find the right record. They will let you know if it exists and how to get a copy.

In-person visits work well for detailed requests. Go to 210 N. Market Street in Washington during business hours. Bring a photo ID. Under N.C.G.S. § 132-6, you can view police records at the office for free. Copies involve a small fee per page as set by state law. Most requests are handled the same day at the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

You can also send a written request by mail. Address it to the Beaufort County Detention Center at 210 N. Market Street, Washington, NC 27889. Include your name, phone number, and a clear description of the records you need.

North Carolina Public Records and Beaufort County

Beaufort County follows the North Carolina Public Records Act for all record releases. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, public records made or received by government agencies belong to the people. This includes police records created by the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

You have the right to inspect these records during normal hours. No appointment is required. No reason needs to be given. The agency must respond promptly. If they deny access, they must cite the specific legal exemption. You can appeal any denial.

Standard exemptions include juvenile records, sealed cases, and active intelligence files. Most arrest records, booking reports, and closed investigation files from Beaufort County are fully available to the public.

Beaufort County Inmate Search

Call the detention center at (252) 946-7113 to find out if someone is in custody. Give the staff the person's full legal name. They will check the current inmate roster at the Beaufort County jail.

The 85-bed facility holds people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. Once someone is released, their booking record stays on file. You can still request it from the records unit. Released inmates are no longer in the live system, but their police records remain accessible in Beaufort County.

Note: Visitation rules and inmate phone access are handled by the detention center staff in Beaufort County.

Nearby Counties

These counties surround Beaufort County. If you are uncertain about where an arrest occurred, verify the address and check the right county office.