Gastonia Criminal History Search
Gastonia criminal history records are held by the Gastonia Police Department and the Gaston County courts. The city sits west of Charlotte and serves as the seat of Gaston County. Residents and the public can search for criminal history through local police files, the county clerk, and state databases. Each source holds a different set of records. This guide walks through the steps to find criminal history in Gastonia using each of these offices.
Gastonia Police Criminal History Access
The Gastonia Police Department is at 200 East Long Avenue, Gastonia NC 28053-1748. The records division can be reached at (704) 866-6702. The non-emergency line is (704) 866-3300. GPD staff handle requests for incident reports, arrest logs, and other police records under NCGS 132-1. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
GPD runs an online crime report database. You can view it at tepsweb.cityofgastonia.com. This tool lets you look up case records by date, type, or location. It is free. Results show basic data on crimes reported in Gastonia. It does not give a full criminal history for a person, but it is a good start for finding case numbers and details about specific incidents in the city.
You can also submit public records requests to Gastonia through their NextRequest portal at cityofgastonianc.nextrequest.com. This is a formal way to ask for police records, reports, and other city documents. Requests are tracked and you get updates by email. The city must respond within a reasonable time under state law.
Note: The GPD crime report database shows incident data, not full criminal history records for individuals.
Gaston County Criminal Records
The Gaston County Clerk of Superior Court holds court records for all criminal cases in Gastonia. Call the clerk at 704-852-3100 for details. Court records in Gaston County are public under NCGS 132-1. This means anyone can view charges, case outcomes, and sentencing details from Gastonia cases. You do not need to give a reason for your request.
The NC eCourts portal lets you search Gaston County criminal cases online. Enter a name or case number to find records. The portal shows charges, court dates, and dispositions. It is free. For certified copies or full case files, visit the clerk in person. Bring a valid ID and the full name and date of birth of the person you are searching.
Criminal cases in Gastonia go through Gaston County District Court or Superior Court. District court handles misdemeanors. Superior court handles felonies. Both courts produce records that become part of a person's criminal history in Gaston County. These records stay on file unless a judge orders them sealed or expunged.
State Criminal History for Gastonia
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation keeps the statewide criminal history database. This covers all arrests and convictions across every county, including Gaston. A state-level check shows more than a local search. It pulls records from all 100 counties. If someone was arrested in Gastonia and also in another city, both will appear on a state check.
NCGS 114-19 governs state criminal history checks. The SBI charges a fee. Results include arrests, charges, and case outcomes from courts statewide. For Gastonia residents, a state check can reveal records from other parts of North Carolina that would not show up in a Gaston County search alone.
The NC Department of Public Safety has an offender search tool. Visit the offender search page to look up anyone who served time in state prison. This covers felony convictions from Gastonia where the person went to prison. It is free to use.
Gastonia Criminal History Expungement
Some criminal records from Gastonia can be expunged. North Carolina law under NCGS 15A-145 through 15A-150 sets out the rules. Not every record qualifies. The charge type, case result, and time passed all affect eligibility. Dismissed cases are often eligible. Some first-time convictions may qualify after a waiting period.
To start, file a petition at the Gaston County Clerk of Court. The court will review the request. If granted, the record is removed from public databases. Most searches for criminal history in Gastonia will no longer show the expunged case. Law enforcement can still see it in limited situations.
Free help with expungement is available through Legal Aid of North Carolina. They review cases and help with paperwork. Forms are on the NC Judicial Branch site. The process takes months from filing to a final ruling.
Note: Expunged records in Gastonia are removed from most public searches but may still be visible to law enforcement in certain cases.
Public Access to Gastonia Records
North Carolina public records law gives broad access to criminal history records. Under NCGS 132-1, most records held by Gastonia police and Gaston County courts are open to the public. You do not need to state a purpose. Agencies must respond to requests promptly. If a request is denied, the agency must cite a specific legal exception.
NCGS 132-6.2 governs fees for copies of public records. Agencies can charge for the actual cost of making copies. Some records are free online. Others require a paid request. The Gastonia Police Department and Gaston County Clerk each set their own fee schedules for criminal history record copies.
Court records from Gastonia can also be viewed through the NC Courts help page. This page explains what is available, how to request records, and what fees apply. It covers all courts in the state, including those that serve Gastonia.
Gaston County Criminal History
Gastonia is the county seat of Gaston County. All criminal cases from Gastonia go through the Gaston County court system. The county clerk, sheriff, and district attorney all handle parts of the criminal history process. For more on county-wide resources, fees, and record access across Gaston County, visit the full county page.