Cleveland County Criminal History
Cleveland County criminal history records are available through the Clerk of Superior Court in Shelby. The county sits in the foothills of western North Carolina. Criminal case records include charges, dispositions, and sentencing details for both felony and misdemeanor cases. You can search these records at the courthouse, by phone, or through online court portals. Cleveland County handles a significant caseload each year. The public can access most criminal records without restriction. Records go back many years and cover all types of criminal cases filed in the county.
Cleveland County Criminal Court Records
The Cleveland County Clerk of Superior Court is the main source for criminal history records. The courthouse at 100 Justice Place in Shelby stores all criminal case files. Cleveland County is part of Judicial District 27B along with Lincoln County. Judges in this district handle both criminal and civil matters across the two counties.
You can visit the courthouse to search criminal records using the public terminals. These terminals let you look up cases by name, date, or case number. Staff at the clerk's office can also run searches for you. A certified copy of any criminal record costs $25 in Cleveland County. Additional pages cost $0.25 each. Plain copies are cheaper. Bring your ID when you visit.
Call the Cleveland County courthouse at (980) 484-4800 for questions about criminal records. You can also reach the office at (704) 484-4800. Both lines connect to the clerk's office. The Cleveland County court page has more details on hours and services.
| Court |
Cleveland County Clerk of Superior Court 100 Justice Place Shelby, NC 28150 Phone: (980) 484-4800 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/cleveland-county |
Online Criminal History Search
Several online tools let you search Cleveland County criminal history from home. The NC eCourts portal is the primary free option. Type in a name and the system returns matching cases from Cleveland County and other counties across the state. Results show charge type, court dates, and case outcome.
The eCourts portal does not provide full document copies. It shows case summaries only. For copies of charging documents, plea records, or sentencing orders from Cleveland County, you must contact the clerk. You can request copies by mail or in person. Include the case number when you write to speed up your request.
The Cleveland County court page has more about the courthouse and criminal history record services in Shelby.
The Cleveland County courthouse in Shelby is where all criminal history records are stored and made available to the public.
The State Bureau of Investigation runs a statewide criminal record database. Under NCGS 114-19, the SBI collects arrest and conviction data from every county. A search through the SBI can show Cleveland County records alongside records from other places in North Carolina.
Criminal History Record Types in Cleveland County
Criminal records in Cleveland County fall into several groups. Each group has its own set of documents and processes.
- Felony case files with indictments, plea records, and sentencing orders
- Misdemeanor case files with citations, court orders, and judgments
- DWI records including breath test results and license actions
- Probation violation records and revocation hearings
- Domestic violence protective order cases with criminal charges
Felony cases in Cleveland County go through Superior Court. A grand jury reviews the evidence and issues an indictment if there is probable cause. The case then moves to trial or plea. All of these steps create records that become part of the criminal history file. Misdemeanor cases start in District Court. Many are resolved faster, but the records are kept the same way.
DWI cases are among the most searched criminal records in Cleveland County. North Carolina treats impaired driving as a serious criminal offense. A conviction stays on a person's record and affects driving privileges. The court file includes the officer's report, chemical test results, and the judge's ruling.
Cleveland County Sheriff Criminal History
The Cleveland County Sheriff provides arrest records and booking information. Call (704) 484-4800 to reach the sheriff's office. Arrest records show the date of arrest, charges, and bond amount. These records are created before a case reaches the court system. Once charges are filed, the clerk's office takes over.
The sheriff also serves warrants issued by Cleveland County courts. Outstanding warrants are active until the person is found or the warrant is recalled. You can check with the sheriff's office about active warrants. Warrant information is part of the broader criminal history record in Cleveland County.
The NC State Bureau of Investigation maintains criminal history data from all counties, including Cleveland County.
The SBI website shown above is where statewide criminal history checks are processed for Cleveland County and all other North Carolina counties.
Note: Arrest records and court records may not match exactly. An arrest does not always lead to charges. Charges can be changed or dropped after the arrest. The court file is the best source for the final outcome of a criminal case in Cleveland County.
Cleveland County Criminal Record Expunction
Some criminal records in Cleveland County can be expunged under North Carolina law. Expunction removes the record from public access. After an expunction, the case will not appear in a standard criminal history search. The statutes that control expunction are NCGS 15A-145 through 15A-150.
Dismissed charges are often eligible for expunction. First-time offenses may qualify after a waiting period. The exact rules depend on the type of charge and the person's record. You must file a petition with the Cleveland County clerk. Forms are on the NC Courts expunction page. A judge reviews the petition and decides whether to grant it.
Legal Aid of North Carolina can help people in Cleveland County who cannot afford a lawyer. Contact them through legalaidnc.org for help with expunction or other criminal record questions.
Public Access to Cleveland County Records
North Carolina's public records law, NCGS 132-1, gives everyone the right to inspect government records. Criminal history records in Cleveland County are public. You can view court files at the clerk's office. You can request copies. The clerk cannot refuse a request for public records without a legal reason.
NCGS 132-6.2 requires agencies to respond to record requests promptly. There is no fixed deadline. However, the clerk should not delay without cause. If a record is sealed, expunged, or otherwise protected, the clerk will let you know. Juvenile criminal records are not open to the public. Most adult criminal records in Cleveland County are fully accessible.
The NC Courts records page explains what court records are public and how to get them. This applies to all counties, including Cleveland County.
Statewide Criminal History Tools
Looking beyond Cleveland County can give you a more complete criminal history picture. People may have records in multiple counties. State tools pull data from across North Carolina into one search.
The NC Offender Search shows current and former inmates, parolees, and probationers. It is free. The Department of Public Safety runs this tool. Results include the person's charges, sentence length, and release date if applicable. This covers all counties, not just Cleveland County.
Note: Online tools may lag behind paper records at the courthouse. For the most current Cleveland County criminal history, visit or call the clerk's office at 100 Justice Place in Shelby.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Cleveland County. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the offense took place. Check the correct county before searching for records.