N.C. Gen. Stat. § § 42-72
Availability of law enforcement resources to plaintiffs or potential plaintiffs.
Operative Text
A law enforcement agency may make available to any person or entity authorized to bring an action pursuant to this Article any police report or edited portion thereof, or forensic laboratory report or edited portion thereof, concerning criminal activity committed on or in the immediate vicinity of the leased residential premises. A law enforcement agency may also make any officer or officers available to testify as a fact witness or expert witness in a civil action brought pursuant to this Article. The agency shall not disclose such information where, in the agency's opinion, such disclosure would jeopardize an investigation, prosecution, or other proceeding, or where such disclosure would violate any federal or State statute. (1995, c. 419, s. 1.)
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-72, law enforcement agencies in North Carolina are permitted—though not required—to share police reports, forensic laboratory reports, or edited versions of those documents with parties who are authorized to bring a civil action related to criminal activity at or near a leased residential property. Agencies may also make officers available to testify as fact or expert witnesses in such civil proceedings. However, agencies retain the authority to withhold information if disclosure would endanger an ongoing investigation, prosecution, or other proceeding, or if sharing the information would conflict with federal or state law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers involved in civil actions under this Article should be aware that N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-72 allows law enforcement agencies to provide reports and officer testimony to authorized parties in litigation related to criminal activity on or near leased premises. A compliant and well-prepared operator generally maintains records of any criminal incidents at their properties and understands that such documentation may surface through law enforcement cooperation in civil proceedings. Operators typically work with legal counsel to understand how this evidentiary framework may affect civil actions brought under this Article.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-72 gives tenants and other authorized parties a potential avenue to request police reports, forensic laboratory reports, or officer testimony from law enforcement agencies when pursuing a civil action related to criminal activity at or near their rental home. Tenants should be aware that agencies have discretion to decline disclosure if it would interfere with an active investigation or violate applicable law, so access is not guaranteed. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help explain how this provision fits into the broader civil remedies available under this Article.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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