Durham Inmate Booking Records
Durham jail mugshots are held by the Durham County Sheriff and the Durham Police Department. Durham has a population of roughly 285,000 and is home to Duke University. The Durham Police Department is located at 602 E Main St under Chief Patrice Andrews. Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead operates the detention center at 510 S Dillard St. Booking photographs taken at the downtown detention center are public records under North Carolina law. Anyone may request to view or obtain copies of these records.
Durham Jail Mugshots Quick Facts
Durham Jail Mugshots and Arrest Records
The Durham County Sheriff runs the detention center in downtown Durham. Sheriff Clarence Birkhead oversees all booking operations at 510 S Dillard St. You can reach the sheriff's office at (919) 560-0897. When police arrest someone in Durham, the person is brought to this facility for processing.
During booking, staff take the mugshot. They also record the person's name, charges, bond amount, and physical description. All of this information goes into the booking record. The record stays on file at the sheriff's office. Current inmates can be looked up through the sheriff's online tools. Past bookings require a records request.
The Durham Police Department makes most arrests within the city. DPD operates from 602 E Main St, Durham NC 27701. Chief Patrice Andrews leads the department. For non-emergency questions, call 919-560-4600. The department website at durhamnc.gov has details about police services and records access.
Search Durham Booking Photos
There are multiple ways to find jail mugshots from Durham arrests. Start with the Durham County Sheriff's inmate lookup. This shows current inmates with their booking photos and charges. It is the fastest way to check if someone is currently in custody.
For older records, submit a public records request to the sheriff. Under G.S. 132-1, booking photos are public records. You can ask for them in writing or in person. Include the full name of the person and the approximate date of arrest. This helps staff find the right record quickly.
Copies cost $0.25 per page under G.S. 132-6.2. Certified copies are $5. You can inspect records in person for free at the sheriff's office during business hours. The sheriff cannot charge for inspection alone.
The Durham County Sheriff website at dconc.gov/sheriff has information about the detention center and records requests. You can also search state records through the NC DPS offender search for people who went to state prison after a Durham arrest.
Durham Mugshots Under North Carolina Law
Jail mugshots from Durham are governed by the North Carolina Public Records Act. G.S. 132-1 declares that records made by government agencies belong to the people of the state. Booking photographs taken at the Durham County detention center fall under this law.
Law enforcement agencies may withhold certain records under G.S. 132-1.4. This applies when releasing records would compromise an active investigation. Once the investigation closes, the records become accessible. Most booking photos in Durham are available after the case is resolved.
Juvenile records have different rules. G.S. 7B-3000 protects the identity of minors in the criminal justice system. Mugshots of people under 18 are not released in Durham.
Expungement can remove records from public access. Under G.S. 15A-145.5, people with qualifying charges can petition the court to have their records sealed. If granted, the Durham County Sheriff must remove the booking record from public view. The mugshot would no longer appear in search results.
Durham Police Department Arrest Data
DPD keeps arrest reports separate from booking records. Arrest reports contain details about the incident, the officers involved, and the charges. You can request these from the DPD records division at 602 E Main St.
| Agency | Durham Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 602 E Main St Durham, NC 27701 |
| Chief | Patrice Andrews |
| Non-Emergency | 919-560-4600 |
| Website | durhamnc.gov |
The booking mugshot itself is held by the Durham County Sheriff. If you need the photo, contact the sheriff at (919) 560-0897. Both agencies follow the same public records laws and must respond to valid requests within a reasonable time.
State Agencies for Durham Records
State-level agencies maintain records connected to Durham arrests. The NC Department of Public Safety holds records for people in state prison. The State Bureau of Investigation manages statewide criminal history data. The NC Courts system tracks case dispositions for charges filed in Durham County.
The NC Sheriffs' Association lists contact details for all 100 county sheriff offices. The NC General Statutes contain the full text of the public records laws that apply to mugshots in Durham and across the state.
Durham County Jail Mugshots
Durham is the county seat of Durham County. The detention center downtown processes all bookings for the city and county. For full details about the county detention system and records access, visit the Durham County page.