>Cleveland County Arrest Records Online

Cleveland County, North Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cleveland County, North Carolina?

Arrest records are public information in Cleveland County, North Carolina, pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. § 132-1). This statute establishes that records created or received by public agencies in the course of conducting public business are the property of the people. The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligations to document law enforcement activities. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental purposes, including:

Ensuring transparency in the criminal justice system
Facilitating public oversight of law enforcement operations
Providing necessary information for background checks
Supporting the constitutional right to public trials

The North Carolina General Statutes specifically define public records to include "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics." Arrest records fall within this definition and are therefore accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by statute.

Cleveland County Sheriff's Office
100 Justice Place
Shelby, NC 28150
Phone: (704) 484-4888
Cleveland County Sheriff's Office

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Cleveland County?

Cleveland County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2, which addresses electronic access to public records, the county provides digital access to facilitate public information requests. The Cleveland County Courthouse maintains electronic databases that can be accessed remotely. These online resources include:

The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system
The North Carolina Court System's eCourts Portal for case information
The Cleveland County Clerk of Superior Court's electronic records
State-level criminal history databases maintained by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation

Online access is provided in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 132-6(a), which states that public records shall be made available "at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision." The electronic provision of these records represents the county's effort to comply with this requirement in an efficient manner.

Cleveland County Clerk of Superior Court
100 Justice Place
Shelby, NC 28150
Phone: (704) 484-4700
Cleveland County Court Records

How to Look Up Cleveland County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Cleveland County have multiple methods available to them, as prescribed by N.C.G.S. § 132-6. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access to these records:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM). Requestors must complete a public records request form and may be required to present identification.
Electronic requests can be submitted through the Cleveland County government website using the online public records request portal. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2(a), reasonable fees may be charged for providing electronic copies.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch website provides access to court records, including information about arrests and subsequent court proceedings.
Public access terminals are available at the Cleveland County Courthouse for searching court records related to arrests. These terminals may be used during regular courthouse hours without appointment.
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Records Division of the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, with appropriate identifying information about the subject of the inquiry.

Fees for copies of arrest records are established in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2(b), which permits agencies to charge only the actual cost of reproduction. Current fee schedules are posted at the Sheriff's Office and on the county website.

Cleveland County Records Division
100 Justice Place
Shelby, NC 28150
Phone: (704) 484-4822
Cleveland County Public Records

Contents of a Cleveland County Arrest Record

Cleveland County arrest records contain standardized information as required by N.C.G.S. § 15A-502, which governs the collection and maintenance of arrest data. Each official arrest record typically includes the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, sex, race)
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photograph ("mugshot") taken at the time of processing
Fingerprint impressions collected pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-502(a)
Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
Initial bond amount and conditions, if applicable
Detention status information

These records are maintained in accordance with the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources' Records Retention and Disposition Schedule. The information contained in arrest records is subject to verification procedures established by the Sheriff's Office to ensure accuracy. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their arrest records may submit correction requests through established administrative procedures.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cleveland County

Under North Carolina law, certain arrest records may be eligible for expungement (also called expunction) through procedures established in N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 through § 15A-152. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed. The Cleveland County Clerk of Superior Court processes expungement petitions according to the following statutory provisions:

N.C.G.S. § 15A-146 provides for expungement when charges are dismissed or the person is found not guilty
N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 addresses expungement of first-time nonviolent offenses committed before age 22
N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5 covers expungement of nonviolent felonies and misdemeanors after waiting periods of 5-10 years
N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.6 establishes procedures for expunging prostitution offenses resulting from human trafficking

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the arrest occurred. Petitioners must use the standardized forms provided by the Administrative Office of the Courts and pay the filing fee established by statute (currently $175 for most petitions). The District Attorney's Office reviews all petitions and may file objections within statutory timeframes.

Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all state and local agencies to expunge their records. This includes the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Agencies must comply with expungement orders within statutory timeframes, typically 30-60 days.

Cleveland County District Attorney's Office
100 Justice Place
Shelby, NC 28150
Phone: (704) 476-7800
North Carolina Judicial Branch