Access Free Wake County Mugshots (North Carolina)

Browse through Wake County Mugshots search results for free to see who is currently in jail.

Photos of people who have been arrested are usually shown with reports about their arrests. This information is available to the public, in compliance with the N.C.G.S. Chapter 132 and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

This brief article explains how to search for mugshots in Wake County, North Carolina, and the rights and responsibilities you have when doing so.

Where To Locate Mugshots for Free in Wake County North Carolina

Most of the time, mugshots are shown with arrest reports and jail information.

These images can be seen by the public for free or at low cost because of the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and N.C.G.S. Chapter 132. However, this right comes with certain rules that hinder access to sealed records or any identifying information, including date of birth and social security numbers.

In Wake County, you can find mugshots at the city, county, and state levels. The City-County Bureau of Identification (CCBI) keeps track of arrest data, but you can also get city-wide arrest reports from local police departments.¹ To search statewide, you can check the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NC DAC) and the State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI).

Turning to the right custodians can help searchers find photos more effectively and efficiently. The next section spotlights the resources for finding mugshots at the county level.

Retrieve Wake County Mugshots Without Cost

You can get crime reports in Wake County from the City-County Bureau of Identification (CCBI) and the sheriff’s office.^{1, 2} However, for mugshots, it will be in the best interest of the searcher to check with the CCBI first.

City-County Bureau of Identification (CCBI):³ This department keeps arrest records in Wake County, except for minor cases like traffic, infractions, or citations. To search for mugshots for free, you can look at the records dating from April 27, 2007 onwards through the CCBI Criminal Arrest Records Portal.⁴

The page will automatically show mugshots and details about each offender, including their name, arresting agency, date and time of arrest, and the charge against them. You can use the arrows at the top of the page to browse through records or you may search by providing at least the offender’s last name.

You can also check arrests from the last 48 hours; you’ll see a list of the arrestees’ names, dates of arrest, charges, arresting agencies, and employers. To view their respective mugshots, select ‘Display’ at the last column.

Furthermore, certified copies of arrest records can also be requested from the CCBI by mail or in person. Each record contains the same information found in the aforementioned portal.

For in person visits, you need to schedule an appointment beforehand. If you’re sending a request by mail, use the following address:

CCBI
Attention: Arrest Records
3301 Hammond Rd.
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

The request for certified copies costs $15.00.

If you have questions about the arrest records, the CCBI can be phoned at 919.856.6300 or emailed to [email protected]. You may also look at the steps for retrieving Wake County arrest reports for more details.

Wake County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO):⁶ The office has a jail roster maintained through their Police-2-Citizen portal. It doesn’t currently display mugshots for the most part, but it’s still worth checking out. You need at least a last name to search and it will display the inmate’s information.

Moreover, you can request crime and incident reports from the office; requests can be sent by email at [email protected], faxed to 919.743.7372, or mailed to the address below with a $2.00 check or money order:

Wake County Sheriff’s Office
Records Division
330 S. Salisbury Street
Ste. 2nd Floor Records S208
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601

You can also make public records requests in Wake County online. Just select ‘Sheriff’s Office’ from the department drop-down menu and fill out the rest of the text boxes required.

In addition to the two offices in Wake County, third-party services like VINELink may also be helpful in viewing mugshots in North Carolina. You just need to provide a partial name to start a search.

Detention Support Services: Paying Visits, Sending Funds & More

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office Detention Division takes care of people incarcerated within the county.⁷ The division has two facilities which offer support services to help inmates stay connected with their loved ones. Among these services are the following:

• Inmate Visits: Friends and families can visit their loved ones in jail through video visitations at the Wake County Detention Center.
• Fund Deposits: Loved ones can send money to support inmates online, in-person, or by mail.
• Sending Mail: Packages may be sent to the inmates at their facility while letters, pictures, and other personal mail will be sent through the inmate tablets.

For inquiries, you can call the Wake County Detention Center at 919.773.7930. The two detention facilities can also be visited at their respective locations:

Wake County Detention Center
3301 Hammond Rd.
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

John H. Baker, Jr. Public Safety Center
330 S. Salisbury Street,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

The following section offers a closer look at how to find mugshots in the municipalities within Wake County.

How To Find Mugshots via Municipalities Within Wake County NC

A search for mugshots at a municipal level can primarily be done through the record divisions of their respective local police departments.

Since there are no online ways to view police photographs via the cities and towns within Wake County, the best option would be to request copies of reports via the contact methods listed below:

Furthermore, some cities also link to the sex offender registry maintained by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), where you can find mugshots.⁸ Searchers can look up sex offenders by their address, name, sex registration number, or by using latitude and longitude.

When you conduct a search, you’ll see a list of offenders with their names, whether they’re considered a predator, and their addresses. If you click on a name, you can see more information, including the front and side view mugshots, details about the offender, and their conviction information.

If you’re interested in other records from the local police departments and agencies, you can check out the Wake County public information lookup tutorial. Aside from police reports, this resource also provides insights into other county records, such as property tax information and vital records.

For those looking to extend their search statewide, the next section focuses on viewing federal and state prison mugshots.

How To View Prison Mugshots in North Carolina (State & Federal Inmate Photos)

Like in other states, mugshots are taken when someone goes to state prison in North Carolina. You can view the photos using the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NC DAC) offender search tool.¹⁰ However, they will not be available at county level sources even if the offender lived locally.

The NC DAC also has a database for escapees, absconders, and released inmates. To start a search, the tool requires at least a last name, and it will display any available mugshots.

On the other hand, federal inmate information can also be retrieved—although without mugshots—from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate locator. This can be done by providing the offender’s name or BOP number.

The citizen’s right to access public information and get copies of records are given by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and N.C.G.S. Chapter 132. However, these laws dictate that any confidential or identifying information be kept private. It’s also important to use the obtained information responsibly and not to harm others.

Additionally, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) look after the responsible use of public records in the workplace.

In conclusion, conducting a Wake County mugshot search can give important information. It helps you stay informed, whether for legal, professional, or personal purposes.