>Randolph County Arrest Records Online

Randolph County, North Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Randolph County, North Carolina?

Arrest records in Randolph County, North Carolina are considered public documents pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. § 132-1). This statute establishes that records created or received by government agencies in the course of conducting public business are accessible to the public. Law enforcement agencies operating within Randolph County maintain arrest records as part of their official duties, and these records are subject to public disclosure with certain statutory exceptions.

The North Carolina Public Records Law specifically states that public records shall be "the property of the people," reflecting the state's commitment to governmental transparency. Members of the public may access these records regardless of their purpose or motivation for seeking the information, except where specifically prohibited by statute. Arrest records typically contain information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement officials on suspicion of criminal activity.

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or withheld if they contain confidential information as defined by state law, such as information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or certain personal identifying information. However, the basic facts of an arrest, including the name of the arrested individual, charges filed, and date of arrest, remain accessible to the public.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Randolph County?

Randolph County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by both governmental agencies and third-party providers. The Randolph County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database of currently confined inmates that is updated regularly and accessible to the public. This resource provides basic information about individuals currently in custody at the Randolph County Detention Center.

The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts has implemented the eCourts system in many counties, including Randolph County. Through the North Carolina Judicial Branch website, members of the public may access court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. This system allows for remote access to public records that previously required in-person visits to courthouse facilities.

Online access to arrest records is governed by N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2, which addresses electronic access to public records. The statute requires that agencies providing electronic access to public records shall do so in a manner that does not impose unreasonable barriers to access or unreasonable costs. Users should be aware that while basic arrest information is typically available online, complete arrest records may require additional steps to obtain, such as submitting formal requests or paying applicable fees.

How to Look Up Randolph County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Randolph County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them, pursuant to North Carolina's commitment to public access to government records. The following options are available for conducting arrest record searches:

Randolph County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains current and historical arrest records. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through their online portal.

Randolph County Sheriff's Office
727 McDowell Road
Asheboro, NC 27205
Phone: (336) 318-6699
Official Website
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Randolph County Clerk of Superior Court: The Clerk's office maintains court records related to arrests and criminal proceedings.

Randolph County Courthouse
176 E. Salisbury Street
Asheboro, NC 27203
Phone: (336) 328-3000
Official Website
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation: For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may request a fingerprint-based background check through the SBI.

North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
Phone: (919) 662-4500
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Online Court Records Portal: The North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains an electronic court records system that includes criminal case information for Randolph County.

Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6(a), public agencies must provide access to public records "at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision." Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate their search, such as the full name of the individual, date of birth, or approximate date of arrest. Fees for copies of records may apply in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2(b).

Contents of a Randolph County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Randolph County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by North Carolina state law and departmental policies. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical description
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of the alleged criminal offenses
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information including fingerprints and booking photographs ("mugshots")
Custody status and bail/bond information
Case disposition information, if available

The North Carolina Criminal Justice Information Network (CJIN) standards govern the format and content of arrest records throughout the state. These standards ensure uniformity and interoperability among law enforcement agencies. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-502, law enforcement agencies are required to fingerprint and photograph individuals charged with certain criminal offenses.

Arrest records may also contain supplementary information such as incident reports, witness statements, and property inventories. However, access to these supplementary materials may be restricted during ongoing investigations in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4, which exempts certain criminal investigation records from public disclosure.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Randolph County

North Carolina law provides mechanisms for the expungement (also referred to as expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records and related court documents are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed. The authority for expungement is established in Article 5 of Chapter 15A of the North Carolina General Statutes.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Randolph County vary based on several factors:

Charges Resulting in Dismissal or Not Guilty Verdict: Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-146, individuals may petition for expungement if charges were dismissed or resulted in a not guilty verdict.
First-Time Nonviolent Offenses: Under N.C.G.S. § 15A-145, certain first-time offenders may be eligible for expungement after waiting periods ranging from 1 to 15 years, depending on the offense classification.
Juvenile Records: N.C.G.S. § 7B-3200 provides for the expungement of certain juvenile records when specific criteria are met.

The expungement process in Randolph County requires filing a petition with the Clerk of Superior Court, payment of filing fees (currently $175 as of 2025, unless waived by the court), and submission of an affidavit certifying eligibility. The petition is reviewed by a district attorney and a superior court judge before a determination is made.

Randolph County District Attorney's Office
145 Worth Street, Suite 5
Asheboro, NC 27203
Phone: (336) 328-3640
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves multiple government agencies, including the Administrative Office of the Courts, the State Bureau of Investigation, and local law enforcement. The complete process typically takes 4-6 months from the date of filing the petition.