Buncombe County Criminal History
Buncombe County criminal history records are kept at the Clerk of Superior Court in Asheville. The county seat sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Buncombe County falls within Judicial District 28. Criminal cases filed in Buncombe County are part of the public record. You can search these records in person or through state systems. The clerk office at 60 Court Plaza handles all criminal case files for the county.
Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court
Clerk Steven D. Cogburn leads the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court. This office stores all criminal history records for cases filed in the county. The clerk handles felony and misdemeanor case files. Staff at the courthouse can pull records for you. They can also make copies and certify documents.
The courthouse is at 60 Court Plaza in Asheville. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. You can call the office at (828) 259-3000 or (828) 259-3001 for questions about Buncombe County criminal history records. Public access terminals are available at no cost inside the courthouse. These terminals let you look up case details on your own during business hours.
The Buncombe County courthouse provides access to all criminal records filed in the county under NCGS 132-1, the North Carolina Public Records Act. This law gives the public a right to inspect and copy government records. Criminal case files fall under this law. The clerk must allow access unless a judge has sealed a record.
The Buncombe County criminal history archive at the courthouse in Asheville holds records from the North Carolina eCourts portal and links to the Buncombe County court page on the state judicial branch site.
| Court |
Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court 60 Court Plaza Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: (828) 259-3000 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/buncombe-county |
Searching Buncombe County Criminal Records
There are several ways to search for criminal history in Buncombe County. You can visit the courthouse, use the state portal, or contact the sheriff. Each method gives different levels of detail. The approach you pick depends on what you need and how fast you need it.
The North Carolina eCourts portal is the main online tool for searching Buncombe County criminal history. It is free to use. You can look up cases by name or case number. The portal shows charges, court dates, and case outcomes. It covers both district and superior court cases in Buncombe County. This is the fastest way to find basic criminal case data.
For a more complete search, visit the clerk office at 60 Court Plaza in Asheville. The staff can pull the full case file. You can review all documents in a criminal case. Public terminals in the courthouse let you search on your own. There is no charge to view records at the terminal. Copies cost $0.25 per page and certified copies are $25 each.
Note: Online records may not include older cases that were filed before the state moved to its current system. For Buncombe County criminal history going back many years, an in-person visit is the best option.
Buncombe County Criminal History Records
Criminal history records in Buncombe County include felony and misdemeanor cases. A felony case starts with an arrest or indictment. The case then moves through the court system. Each step creates records. These records become part of the criminal history for that person in Buncombe County.
A typical Buncombe County criminal history record shows the defendant's name, the charges filed, the court dates, and the final outcome. It may also list the arresting agency, the judge, and the attorney of record. Dispositions such as guilty, not guilty, dismissed, or deferred show up in the record. All of this is public under NCGS 132-1 unless a court order says otherwise.
Misdemeanor cases in Buncombe County are heard in district court. These include offenses like simple assault, DWI, and petty theft. Felony cases go to superior court. These include offenses like robbery, drug trafficking, and assault with a deadly weapon. Both types of cases create criminal history records that you can access at the Buncombe County courthouse.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation also maintains criminal history data. The SBI compiles records from all counties including Buncombe County. Under NCGS 114-19, the SBI runs the state criminal record repository. A state-level search can show records from multiple counties.
Buncombe County Sheriff Records
The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office handles arrests and booking in the county. You can reach the sheriff at (828) 250-4500. Arrest records from the sheriff feed into the criminal history system at the courthouse. When someone is booked into the Buncombe County jail, that information becomes part of their criminal record.
The sheriff's office keeps its own records of arrests and warrants. These are separate from the court records at the clerk office. Both sets of records contribute to a person's criminal history in Buncombe County. If you need arrest details that are not in the court file, contact the sheriff directly.
The Asheville Police Department also makes arrests within city limits. Those cases are filed at the Buncombe County courthouse. The city police records and the county sheriff records both become part of the Buncombe County criminal history system once charges are filed in court.
Criminal History Through State Systems
North Carolina offers several state-level tools that include Buncombe County criminal history data. These systems pull records from all 100 counties. They can be useful when you are not sure which county a case was filed in or when you need records from more than one county.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety maintains the offender search tool on its site. This tool shows current and past offenders in the state prison system. It includes people from Buncombe County who received prison sentences. The search is free and open to the public.
The court records section of the North Carolina Judicial Branch site explains how to access records from any county. It covers what is available online, what you can get in person, and how to request records by mail. This is a good starting point if you are new to searching Buncombe County criminal history.
Expunctions in Buncombe County
Some criminal records in Buncombe County can be removed through expunction. North Carolina law allows certain records to be erased from public view. The statutes covering this are NCGS 15A-145 through 15A-150. Each section covers a different situation.
An expunction removes a charge or conviction from the criminal history record. Once granted, the Buncombe County clerk removes the case from public access. The person can legally state that the arrest or charge did not happen. Not all cases qualify. The type of offense, the outcome, and the person's record all matter.
- Dismissed charges may qualify under NCGS 15A-146
- Not guilty verdicts may qualify under NCGS 15A-146
- First offense misdemeanors may qualify under NCGS 15A-145
- Drug offenses for young adults may qualify under NCGS 15A-145.2
- Gang-related offenses may qualify under NCGS 15A-145.3
You file an expunction petition at the Buncombe County courthouse. The NC Courts expunction page has forms and instructions. You can also get forms at the clerk office or from the NC Courts forms page. A judge reviews the petition and decides whether to grant it. If approved, the criminal history record is sealed in Buncombe County.
Note: Expunged records do not appear in standard searches of Buncombe County criminal history. Law enforcement may still access them in limited situations under state law.
Asheville Criminal History and Public Records
Criminal history records in Buncombe County are public under North Carolina law. NCGS 132-1 defines public records broadly. It includes all documents made or received by government agencies. Court records, arrest records, and booking records all fall under this definition. The law applies to Buncombe County and every other county in the state.
Under NCGS 132-6.2, agencies must respond to records requests promptly. You can make a request in writing or in person at the Buncombe County courthouse. The clerk may charge for copies. The fee is $0.25 per page for regular copies and $25 for certified copies. There is no fee to view records at the courthouse.
Some records have limits on access. Sealed cases and expunged records are not available to the general public. Juvenile criminal records are also restricted under state law. If you need records that are not available through normal channels, Legal Aid of North Carolina can help you understand your options.
Certified Criminal History Copies
A certified copy of a Buncombe County criminal history record costs $25. This is the standard fee set by the state. Certified copies carry the official seal of the clerk. They are accepted as legal proof of a court record.
You can get certified copies in person at the courthouse at 60 Court Plaza in Asheville. Bring the case number or the full name of the defendant. The staff will locate the record and make the certified copy while you wait. You can pay by cash, check, or money order. Call (828) 259-3001 to ask about payment methods before your visit.
You can also request certified copies by mail. Send a written request to the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court at 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801. Include the case details and a check or money order for $25 per certified copy. The clerk will mail the copies back to you. Allow one to two weeks for processing.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Buncombe County. If you need criminal history records from a neighboring area, check the county where the case was filed. Each county clerk maintains its own records.