>Buncombe County Arrest Records Online

Buncombe County, North Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Buncombe County, North Carolina?

Arrest records are public documents in Buncombe County, North Carolina, pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4). This statute establishes that records created, received, or maintained by government agencies in North Carolina are generally accessible to the public. Law enforcement agencies in Buncombe County are required to maintain arrest records that document the apprehension and detention of individuals suspected of criminal activity. These records serve as official documentation of interactions between law enforcement and members of the public.

The North Carolina Public Records Law specifically addresses criminal investigation records, providing that while certain investigative materials may be protected, basic information regarding arrests must be disclosed. This includes the name, sex, age, address, employment, alleged violation, and circumstances surrounding an arrest. Members of the public may request these records from the appropriate agencies without demonstrating a specific need or purpose for access.

Buncombe County Sheriff's Office
60 Court Plaza
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 250-4503
Buncombe County Sheriff's Office

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Buncombe County?

Buncombe County provides digital access to arrest records through several official online platforms. The Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court maintains electronic records of court proceedings related to arrests. Additionally, the Criminal & Traffic Division of the county court system offers online access to case information.

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction provides a Criminal Offender Search database that includes information about county jail inmates, state prisoners, probationers, parolees, and registered sex offenders in Buncombe County. This searchable database is updated regularly to ensure accuracy of information.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch also maintains an online portal where members of the public may access court records, including those related to arrests in Buncombe County. This system is part of the state's eCourts initiative, which aims to digitize court records across North Carolina.

Users should note that while basic arrest information is available online, certain details may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws and judicial orders. Complete records may require in-person requests at the appropriate county offices.

How to Look Up Buncombe County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for accessing Buncombe County arrest records in 2025. The following options are available to members of the public seeking this information:

Visit the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801. Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can assist with record requests in person.
Access the Buncombe County online records portal which provides a searchable database of arrest records. Users may search by name, date of arrest, or case number.
Contact the Clerk of Superior Court's office at 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801, or by phone at (828) 259-3400. The office maintains comprehensive court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings.
Utilize the North Carolina Court Records portal which includes Buncombe County arrest information as part of the statewide judicial system.
Submit a written request for records to the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6.2, agencies must respond to such requests "as promptly as possible."
Check court dates and calendars through the North Carolina Judicial Branch website to track cases resulting from arrests.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate searches, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any known case numbers. Fees may apply for copies of records in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6.2(b), which permits agencies to charge actual costs for duplication of records.

Contents of a Buncombe County Arrest Record

Buncombe County arrest records contain standardized information as required by North Carolina law. These official documents typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, sex, race)
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific criminal charges filed, including statute numbers and offense descriptions
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information including fingerprints and booking photographs ("mugshots")
Custody status and bail/bond information
Case number assigned by the court system
Preliminary hearing date, if applicable

These records are maintained in accordance with the North Carolina Records Retention and Disposition Schedule, which requires law enforcement agencies to preserve arrest records for specified periods based on the nature of the offense. For serious felonies, records must be maintained permanently, while records for minor offenses may be disposed of after a designated period following case disposition.

The Criminal & Traffic Division of Buncombe County maintains these records in coordination with the Sheriff's Office. Records are subject to public disclosure with certain exceptions for juvenile arrests, expunged records, and ongoing investigations as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Buncombe County

Expungement (also called expunction) is the legal process through which arrest records and related court documents are removed from public access in Buncombe County. North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-145 through § 15A-152 govern the expungement process, establishing eligibility criteria and procedures.

Individuals may petition for expungement of Buncombe County arrest records under several circumstances:

Charges were dismissed or the individual was found not guilty
Completion of a first-time offender program for certain non-violent offenses
Convictions for certain misdemeanors or felonies after specified waiting periods
Arrests and convictions that occurred when the individual was under 18 years of age
Identity theft cases where the person was falsely identified

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court at 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801. Petitioners must use standardized forms provided by the Administrative Office of the Courts and pay applicable filing fees, which may be waived for indigent petitioners.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing. If the petition is granted, the court will issue an order directing all agencies holding records related to the arrest to expunge those records. This includes the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Expunged records are sealed from public view but may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies and the court system under limited circumstances as specified in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-151. Individuals whose records have been expunged may legally deny the existence of the arrest or conviction in most contexts, including employment applications.

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