Mecklenburg County Jail-Main – Charlotte, NC

Mecklenburg County Jail-Main is located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and is the primary correctional facility for that county. Are you looking for somebody incarcerated at Mecklenburg County Jail-Main? This guide will tell you about anything a person needs to know about Mecklenburg County Jail-Main: How to locate an inmate at Mecklenburg County Jail-Main. Find mugshots and inmate photos. The jail’s phone number and address. Bail and how to get out of jail. Intake procedures and booking. Mecklenburg County court information. And much more…

The prospect of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary and stressful idea, not only for the person who gets arrested, but also their friends and family. This guide is meant to give you information and tips that you need to make getting locked up easier. If you have questions, feel free to ask them, and also any feedback or comments that could be beneficial to other people in the same situation will be appreciated.

Do you have a family member, loved one, or friend that is in jail and need to find them?

Has somebody that’s been arrested and you want to locate them?

In order to see who’s in jail at Mecklenburg County Jail-Main you have to go to their website and do an inmate search.

The Mecklenburg County Jail-Main Inmate Roster is a list of persons who have been arrested, including current status, bail amount, and visiting schedule. You can get info about anybody booked or discharged in the past 24-hour period. Prisoners are shown in alphabetical order by last name. You’ll be able to locate their inmate information faster if you’ve got your friend or family member’s first and last name, birth date, or inmate ID Number.

If the person you are looking for might be in another county jail you will want to check our North Carolina county jail guide: List of all jails in North Carolina

A mugshot, or jail processing picture, is a picture that the jail takes during jail intake processing. They take one face photo and a profile picture. Your name and intake number will be in the photos, and they will be stored.

Mugshots of inmates can be viewed on the Mecklenburg County Jail-Main website, or you can see them in person at the Mecklenburg County Jail-Main. When viewing online you need to input the prisoner’s full name, and an arrest date, if you have one.

Need to know how to get your mugshot taken off of the Mecklenburg County Jail-Main website? This may not be possible, as your mugshot is a public record. To get your mugshot taken down you have to file a Petition to Expunge in court. Basically, this means that all of your arrest records would be sealed, so no one will be able to access them. It is difficult to do this, and you will most likely need the services of a lawyer.

Read our in-depth tutorial about removing your mugshot, the different mugshot sites, and the mugshot removal websites: How To Get Your Mugshot Taken Down

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Obviously, if you’re in jail, your only thought is when and how to get out. After booking, a bail amount is set using the bail schedule or the magistrate will decide it. If you don’t get a bail set this might mean that you will either get released, pending trial, or you have to stay in jail until your trial.

If you are released from jail you will have to agree to go to your court date, and in the meantime you are not allowed to leave the county.

Usually, a prisoner will earn time off in exchange for good behavior if they follow the rules and act right while they’re in jail.

If you follow the rules, you might be allowed to participate in work release. You will either have to go back to the jail at the end of the day after work, or you could have the chance to move to a halfway house instead of the jail.

Bail is money that you have to pay to get out of jail until you go to court. Your bail amount is determined by the crime you are charged with. Someone you know will need to put up ten percent of the total that was set so you are able to get out of jail. If you don’t show up for court, whoever posted your bail will lose that bail money.

In order to find out how much someone’s bail is, you will have to call the Mecklenburg County Jail-Main. If you’ve got the person’s info, like name, address and date of birth, they’ll be able to let you know how much their bail is. Also, you can find out how much their bail is on the jail website.

Having to get someone out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but usually, it is easy. First of all, find out if it is a Cash Only Bond situation. If this is the case, you won’t be able to use a Bail Bondsman. They only accept cash at the jail, so you have to take cash – they can’t accept a check. Once you have paid the bond, the person will be released. If they don’t violate the terms of their bail, the bail money you posted will be returned to you.

If the amount of bail set is large, or you just can’t afford it, you might need to use a bail bondsman. They generally charge a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total bail amount, and usually charge a minimum charge of $100. The money you pay to the bail bondsman will not be returned to you and has to be paid in cash. If bail is very large, the bondsman will usually request to use assets as collateral for the bond in addition to whatever their charges are.

To contact a local bail bondsman go to: Find a bail bondsman at Mecklenburg County Jail-Main

Have you ever used the services of Bail Bondsman for someone you know or yourself? If you have, post a comment below and tell about it, and let us know how things turned out.

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• Early Release For Good Behavior
• Work Release Programs
• Get Out For Time Served
• Pre-Trial Release Programs
• House Arrest
• Own Recognizance

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The intake procedure includes each of these steps:

• They’ll put you in a holding cell. If there are a lot of arrests, you may not be processed immediately.
• You will have to answer some questions, like what is your full legal name, home address, birth date and a contact person.
• You will also be asked about your medical and mental history.
• You will be issued an inmate ID.
• You will be fingerprinted.
• You will get your mugshot taken.
• Any property you have will be taken away from you and stored until you get released.
• You will then be allowed to use the telephone so you can contact family, friends, or bail bondsman.
• If you think you will get released quickly, you might be able to wear your own clothes, otherwise you will be given a jail jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through processing at jail? If so, please share your experience. How long did it take to get through intake? Were you treated fairly? Can you tell us secrets that might help other people get through jail intake?

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Once bail has been posted, you will get discharged from jail. Getting discharged from jail will take between 30 minutes to all day. In other words the quicker you post bail, the faster you can get out of jail. It also depends on whether or not you’ve got a cash bond or if a magistrate has to determine the bail amount. For lesser charges, you will get booked and then released on your recognizance without having to pay bail. When you get to the end of your sentence and are given a date of your release, you should expect to get discharged that morning.

issued for your arrest, or if you need to begin your jail sentence, you really should do the right thing and turn yourself into the authorities. In the case of an outstanding warrant, go down to the jail intake center, and tell an officer that you think they might have an outstanding arrest warrant out for you. The officer will verify that you have an outstanding arrest warrant, and if so, you will be taken into jail custody. If you are reporting to serve out your sentence, go down to the jail on the date and time that the sentence order or court paperwork states. Be very careful that you are not late to report. Just bring necessary items when you go to jail, such as a driver’s license or even ID, any prescription medication you might take, along with your doctor’s prescription, and a sentencing order from court.

In order to have visitors, inmates have to give the name and date of birth of each visitor to the jail before anyone can visit them. Your visitor’s information will be put into the log as an authorized visitor. Each and every visitor will have to provide identification. Anyone showing up late or any visitors that are not approved to visit will not be allowed to visit the inmate.
Visitation procedures at Mecklenburg County Jail-Main frequently change, so double-check the official jail site before you try to visit an inmate.

Phone calls that inmates are allowed to make from jail are made through a jail approved pre-paid phone account or phone card . Jail phone calls are typically more expensive than regular phone calls. Inmates are able to make phone calls, with restrictions on when you can make phone calls, how long you can talk, and how often you can make calls, but you should keep in mind lots of people want to use the phone – so you have to share. If you break the rules and are disciplined, an inmate’s ability to use the phone may be limited or eliminated completely.

The Mecklenburg County Jail-Main phone number is: 704-336-8100

All mall sent to inmates has to be sent via US Postal Service. You cannot use any other form of mail delivery. You have to clearly write the inmate’s name, prisoner number, and the address of the jail on the letter that you send. Don’t send anything in a package, envelope with padding or insulation, plastic or paper bag, or an envelope containing metal parts. All mail received by the jail will be opened and read and examined by the jail staff, and the mail will get sent back to the person who mailed it if they decide it is inappropriate.

If you would like to send a letter to an inmate at Mecklenburg County Jail-Main, use this address:

Mecklenburg County Jail-Main
801 East Fourth Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Mecklenburg County Jail-Main
801 East Fourth Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

The mail policy changes often, so you should review the the Mecklenburg County Jail-Main website when you send a letter to an inmate.

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Even if you’ve been arrested, you still have certain rights, the first of which is the right to request a lawyer. You are only allowed to make so many phone calls in jail, so make sure to have a friend or relative locate a lawyer when you call. You might be thinking ‘but do I really need a lawyer’ You are not required to have an attorney for some criminal charges, a lawyer can advise you of your rights, help protect your interests and help you navigate the criminal justice system that you are now faced with. The sooner you hire an attorney to represent you and work on your situation, the better your chances.

To read more about how to find an attorney, read: How to Find a Lawyer

If you are in trouble, but can’t afford a lawyer, you will get a public defender. The Public Defender has access to private investigators, crime scene and forensics experts and social case workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are real attorneys that are admitted to the North Carolina State Bar Association and are fully licensed to represent you in court and practice law.

Have you or someone you know used a court appointed attorney? How did they do?

All court records are a matter of public record. Court records have a file with a sheet called a docket sheet and each of the motions, documents, and evidence in your case. You have the ability to access the records and documents in your court case using the online service, or by going to the Clerk of Court’s office.

A Clerk of Court is an officer of the court that maintains the records. They also administer the oath for any court participant who must be under oath, and also read the verdict when decided by the jury. All records and documents from your court case are kept at Clerk of Court.

Court fees are all costs associated with your court case, which include filing charges, motion and claim fees, and court appearance fees. If you can’t afford to pay these fees and have court appointed legal counsel or a Public Defender, you can get a waiver for these fees.

The Mecklenburg County magistrate is the judge who presides over your court case. They do different tasks, which include determining how much your bail will be, issuing arrest warrants, and overseeing first court appearances and detention proceedings.

A pre-sentencing report is prepared to include the defendant’s background information and information about the arrestee’s life, which the magistrate judge will review when determining your sentence. Information, details, and character witnesses will be collected from the person on trial, his or her family members, and, if applicable, the victim in the crime. Be sure to remember that you should request to have a copy of your pre-sentencing report before sentencing, so you can go over it and correct any mistakes in it.

If you get convicted of a crime, you will be sentenced. There are a number of different options, ranging from community service to probation, to even prison or jail time. Depending on how serious your crime was, you may be taken into custody immediately, or you might be given a date that you are required to turn yourself into jail to serve your term.

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Do you need to find out if a family member or friend is incarcerated in jail, or has gone to jail in the past?

This is pretty simple to do, just you should query the jail’s website, and search by:

• The inmate’s name.
• Date of birth.
• Their booking date if you know it.
• or jail ID.

If you think this person is in jail, you should call the jail confirm whether they’ve been arrested or not.

If you have an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you can access arrest warrants inquiry on the website or you can call the court. This requires a first and last name. Or, you can just go the jail in person and inquire at the information desk. You should know that if there is a warrant for your arrest, you should be prepared to get taken into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s first and last name, and possibly an arrest date, contact the Mecklenburg County jail, by phone, in person, or check online. An arrest is in the public record and this information is available to anyone.

Civil processes are when you get served with papers, such as a court order. You can find these by getting in touch with the Sheriff’s office, on their website or by phone.

All convicted sex offenders must be listed and registered on a sex offender database. The people listed on these databases have been tried by jury and convicted in a court of law of a sex crime. You are able to see this information on the internet, but you should know that you will not see the exact address, but only the block they live on.

Court Records are public records. They include a court case file containing a court docket and all of the filings and documents filed in the case. You can access your court records on their website, or at Clerk of Court office where the case was filed.

Each and every state maintains a record of someone’s criminal history. These online databases are linked together so you can track criminal histories from other states. You can go to the courthouse and check in person or you can check online. It is helpful to know the county the crime was committed in, and in the event that it was in a completely different state, you may have to pay for a more complete search.

A criminal records search you will find out if someone has been arrested, charged, or convicted for any crimes, which can include:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
• Drug offenses such as possession or trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Sex offenses which could include rape, and sexual assault.
• Violent crimes including assault, battery and murder.
• Property crimes like theft or larceny.

If you do a criminal records check, in most cases won’t find out if someone has had any:

• Speeding.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Any accidents.
• Minor infractions or moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To get this information, you must do a search for their driving record.

Have you ever searched for criminal records? Was it a difficult process? Was your search online or did you make a phone call to the local courthouse? Did you get information that was correct? There are lots of reasons that people search for criminal records, and your feedback may make it easier for others.

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Most Wanted

Everyone knows that the FBI has their list of the Top Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Mecklenburg County, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff maintains their own list of the top most wanted criminals in the county.

FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Just the thought of getting locked up in Mecklenburg County Jail-Main is quite unpleasant, in time you will get used to the daily routine there. Expect an alarm to wake up every morning at six in the morning, and next they’ll do roll call. You will then eat breakfast. After breakfast, you will be required to work in the program that has been assigned to you. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Mecklenburg County Jail-Main, your experiences would be welcomed, if it can help another person to deal with it.

Dress Code

When incarcerated, all inmates are expected to wear the Mecklenburg County Jail-Main uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The procedure to send funds to inmates is likely to change, so review the official website when you send any funds.


Commissary

The commissary is the jail store. You can purchase a number of things here, such as toiletries, snacks and writing supplies. Bear in mind that you will probably want to use the commissary daily, and any infractions will get that privilege taken away from you.

Inmate Medications

If you are on any type of prescription medication, you will be allowed to continue taking it while in jail. When you are first processed, you will be asked what medication you take. You will then be referred to the jail nurse or doctor who will be in charge of monitoring your health and prescribing your medication.

Meals

You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. As expected, they are very basic, but healthy. A typical breakfast might be cereal, toast, coffee and fruit. Lunch might be spaghetti, salad, bread and milk. Dinner could be chicken casserole, rice, vegetables, dessert and milk. Contrary to popular belief, prison food has greatly improved over the years, and you might find that it’s not much different from what you would eat at home.

Pods / The Yard

The jail is designed in a ‘pod’ layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room, and the inmates take turns in using the yard. The jail is designed this way to keep certain inmates together, and others away from the general population.

Gangs

As with life in general, gangs are a part of prison life. Obviously it is best to avoid becoming a part of this environment as it will only lead to trouble. When you first enter prison, you might find yourself being ‘primed’ to join a gang, or worse, you might get their attention in a negative way. The best thing to do is keep your head down and don’t get involved.


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News and Media

News

Photos / Pictures

Videos


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Jobs

Types of Jobs at Mecklenburg County Jail-Main

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Mecklenburg County Jail-Main, overseeing the day to day operations and administration of the jail. An inmate is unlikely to have much interaction with the Deputy Sheriff, unless they have committed an infraction. Detention Officers are responsible for the custody and care of the inmates. They maintain order in the jail, and handle security. A Detention Officer is assigned to a certain pod, and therefore is responsible for the same inmates each day. They get to know the inmates on a certain level and are well equipped to handle any problems that may occur.

Apply for a Job at Mecklenburg County Jail-Main

Requirements:

• You have to be over the age of 21.
• You have to possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You have to be a US Citizen.
• You have to pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You have to pass a drug test.
• You have to have a good level of fitness.
• You have to be in good health.
• You have to have a valid Driver’s License
• An applicant for Deputy Sheriff must possess a Law Enforcement Certification.


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Family Resources

There are resources for families of both the perpetrator of the crime and the victim. The social and emotional impact of crime is far reaching, affecting many. Families can receive professional counseling, court related assistance, social services assistance and help in navigating the criminal justice system.

If you are a family member, which resources did you find to be particularly helpful? Please let us know, as this will be helpful to other families in the same situation.

Click here to post a comment


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Victim Resources

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.

Victim’s Rights

The Victim Rights Act grants victims the following rights:

• Victims have the right to protection from the accused.
• Victims have the right to notification.
• Victims have the right to attend proceedings.
• Victims have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• Victims have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• Victims have the right to restitution.
• Victims have the right to a speedy trial.
• Victims have the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

The definition of victim includes:

• Spouses and children of all victims.
• Parents and guardians of minor victims.
• Parents, guardians and siblings of mentally or physically incapacitated victims or victims of homicide.
• Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances.

There are a number of services and programs designed to help victims and their families. You can find out about these services by contacting the courthouse, or local law enforcement agency.

Victim Notification

The Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) is a system that provides victims with information pertaining to their case and/or any defendants in the case. You will receive a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will allow you to access VNS via the internet or by phone. Here, you will find information about future court hearings, historical court events, and detailed information about the defendant. This will include criminal charges filed, the outcome of charges, sentence imposed, custody location, projected release date and any other release information. The VNS website is updated daily. You will also receive any ongoing information by mail or email.

Have you, a family member or friend ever used the Victim Notification System? If so, was it effective? Did you get the information in a timely manner? Was the system difficult to use? We would like to hear from you, so please post any comments here.

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Sex Offender Information and Search

All people registered as sex offenders are registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not get the exact address, rather the block that they live on.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are services to help you. Your county will have a Domestic Violence Services office. They provide free and confidential services, such as emergency shelter information, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. They will work to help you create a safe and violence-free life, and heal from the trauma of abuse.

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever been a prisoner at this jail? Do you know anybody that spent time there? Have you ever been to visit an inmate in this jail?

If you have, then please leave a comment below about it. Write about your jail experience so others will know what to expect.

Things you could put in what you write:

• Conditions at the jail.
• Jail, yard and pod layout and facility
• Jail staff and Guards
• Commissary and food
• Having Visitors
• Inmates.
• Inmate safety
• Gangs
• Prisoner programs and activities


Click here to write your review

Tell Your Story

Everybody who’s been arrested and thrown in jail has some stories about their time ‘inside’. Why’d you get arrested? Did you experience fair treatment? What happened to you while you were locked up? Tell us about the other inmates. How has this experience impacted your life?

Click here to share your story about when you did time in Mecklenburg County Jail-Main

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you meet some cool folks in jail? Trying to get in touch with a friend from jail? Say hello here, just leave a message below.

Send a message to someone at Mecklenburg County Jail-Main


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2018