Cherokee County Criminal History

Cherokee County criminal history records are maintained at the courthouse in Murphy. The Clerk of Superior Court stores all criminal case files for the county. Cherokee County sits in the far western tip of North Carolina near the Tennessee and Georgia borders. Records are open for public searching. You can visit the clerk office or use the state online system to look up criminal cases.

Cherokee County Criminal Court Records

The Cherokee County courthouse is at 75 Peachtree Street in Murphy. The Clerk of Superior Court is located inside. This office keeps all criminal case files. It handles felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses that go through the court system. Staff can help you find records and make copies.

Cherokee County is part of Judicial District 30A. This district also covers Clay, Graham, and Macon counties. Superior court judges travel between these counties on a regular schedule. District court has its own calendar in Cherokee County. Both courts generate criminal history records that stay on file at the courthouse in Murphy.

Certified copies of criminal records cost $25 in Cherokee County. This follows the statewide fee schedule. Plain copies cost less per page. You can pay at the clerk window. If you are not able to visit in person, you can mail a written request to the clerk office. Include the name of the person and the case number if you have it. Call (828) 835-7740 for more details on mail requests.

Searching Cherokee County Criminal History

You can search for criminal records in Cherokee County in person or online. At the courthouse in Murphy, go to the clerk office. Give staff the name you want to search. They will check their records. You can view the case file and ask for copies. This works best when you know the name or case number.

The NC eCourts portal provides online access to case records statewide. Search by name or case number. Filter results to Cherokee County. The portal is free for basic case information. It shows charges, court dates, and case status. For copies of specific documents, you still need to contact the clerk in Cherokee County.

Cherokee County is a small, rural county. Court volume is lower than in urban areas. This can make searches faster. The clerk staff often know the cases well. If you call ahead, they may be able to tell you whether a record exists before you drive to Murphy.

Note: The Cherokee County courthouse is the only location for these records. There are no branch offices.

Criminal History and Public Records Law

Criminal records in Cherokee County are public. NCGS 132-1 establishes the right to view government records in North Carolina. Court files are government records. You can go to the Cherokee County clerk office and ask to see any criminal case file. The clerk cannot ask why you want to see it. Access is a right under state law.

Some records are not available to the public. Sealed cases stay closed. Juvenile cases are restricted. Grand jury proceedings are secret. Cases expunged under NCGS 15A-145 through 15A-150 are wiped from the system. An expunged record in Cherokee County will not appear in any search.

Cherokee County Sheriff Records

The Cherokee County Sheriff handles arrests and keeps booking records. The sheriff is the main law enforcement agency for the county. Their records include arrest data, incident reports, and warrant information. These are different from court records. The sheriff creates them at the time of arrest. The court records come later, after charges are filed.

Contact the Cherokee County Sheriff at (828) 837-2589 for arrest records. The sheriff may ask you to submit a written request. Response times depend on staff availability. For a complete criminal history in Cherokee County, check both the sheriff records and the court records at the clerk office.

The NC State Bureau of Investigation also holds criminal history data. Their statewide database pulls from all 100 counties including Cherokee County. A background check through the SBI follows the process set out in NCGS 114-19. This is the broadest search option for North Carolina criminal history.

Criminal Record Expunctions in Cherokee County

Expunction lets you erase certain criminal records in Cherokee County. The process is set by NCGS 15A-145 through 15A-150. You file a petition with the court. A judge decides whether to grant it. If approved, the record is removed from the clerk system and the SBI database.

Common types of cases that qualify for expunction include:

• Charges that were dismissed
• Not guilty verdicts
• Certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period
• Some nonviolent felony convictions after a longer wait
• Cases where charges were never filed

Get the forms from the NC Courts expunction page or at the Cherokee County clerk office. Fill them out and file them with the clerk. There is a filing fee for most expunction petitions. Once the judge signs the order, all agencies that hold the record must destroy it.

Note: Expunction is not automatic. You must take action to start the process in Cherokee County.

Cherokee County Criminal Record Resources

State agencies provide tools that help with criminal record research in Cherokee County. The NC Department of Public Safety manages the prison system and probation. Use their offender search to find people sentenced in Cherokee County who are in state custody or on supervision.

The NC Courts website has guides on accessing court records. You can download forms for requests and other court filings. The NC General Statutes are also online if you want to read the full text of the laws that govern criminal records.

Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Cherokee County residents who need help with criminal record matters. They provide free legal assistance based on income. Contact them for help with expunctions or other record issues in Cherokee County.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Cherokee County in western North Carolina. Criminal cases are filed where the offense occurred. Verify the county before you begin your search.