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  1. Buncombe County Court
  2. Buncombe County Arrest Records

Buncombe County, North Carolina Arrest Records

Buncombe arrest records are documents created by the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies to document the arrest and detention of individuals within the county. These agencies create these documents during booking to provide facts and administrative details for criminal trials or to book individuals into correctional facilities. 

Arrest records are separate from investigative case files and court case outcomes. Buncombe County arrest records fall within the broader framework of government transparency established by the North Carolina Public Records Act, and their purposes include:

  • Promote accountability in law enforcement
  • Allow public oversight of arrests and detention practices
  • Preserve an official record of custodial actions
  • Support transparency in the criminal justice system.

In addition to the Public Records Act, § 15A-150 through § 15A-152 of the North Carolina General Statutes govern the release of basic arrest information relating to criminal offender record information (CORI). These provisions govern how criminal history information is:

  • Collected
  • Stored
  • Disseminated
  • Restricted in certain contexts.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Buncombe, North Carolina?

Yes, arrest records are generally public information in Buncombe County. According to § 132-1 et seq. of North Carolina General Statutes, government records (including law enforcement documents) are presumed public, unless specific statutes or judicial orders say otherwise. Furthermore, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-150 through § 15A-152 regulates the release of arrest and criminal history information. 

However, not all arrest information is open to public scrutiny. Under North Carolina law, a Buncombe County arrest record is not public if it relates to:

  • Juvenile records
  • Expunged files
  • Victim and witness protections
  • Ongoing investigations.

Additionally, custodian agencies will redact details such as:

  • Social Security Numbers 
  • Home address and personal contact information 
  • Information relating to minors
  • Investigative notes and intelligence files
  • Victim or witness identities (where protected)
  • Evidence inventories tied to active cases
  • Medical or mental health information.

Buncombe County Arrest Search

Finding arrest records in Buncombe County includes navigating state-level repositories for general criminal history and federal resources for cases involving federal law. 

State-level search for Buncombe County arrest records 

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) maintains centralized criminal history repositories compiled from reporting agencies across the state (including Buncombe County). Through the SBI, individuals seeking access to Buncombe County arrest records can request official criminal history checks or state-level arrest summaries. 

The SBI database is not a public name-search tool; accessing Buncombe County's arrest records as part of criminal history reports through the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation requires:

  • Identity verification
  • Fingerprints in many cases
  • Fees set by the state
  • Formal application procedures. 

In addition to the SBI database, Buncombe County arrest records may be accessible at the state level as part of criminal case records through the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) Smart Search Portal. This online tool permits name-based and case number searches for court records (including criminal case information originating from Buncombe County Superior and District Courts). A Buncombe County court case search through the Smart Search Portal may reveal criminal charges associated with arrests in Buncombe County. 

Federal-level search for Buncombe County arrest records 

Information about arrests in Buncombe County may be accessible through the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator if the arrests lead to federal custody. The BOP Inmate Locator provides information about:

  • Federal inmate status
  • Facility location
  • Register numbers
  • Custody timeline.

For Buncombe County arrests that are part of federal criminal case prosecutions, information seekers can access details through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. The PACER portal provides access to Buncombe County arrest records relating to:

  • Federal criminal case filings
  • Arrest-related federal proceedings
  • Indictments and court actions.

Buncombe County Inmate Locator

In addition to federal and state-level searches, interested individuals can find Buncombe County arrest records through local resources. In Buncombe County, the Police to Citizen (P2C) portal provides arrest information about individuals in custody. The Buncombe County P2C portal is a public-facing system that publishes selected law enforcement information, including arrest-related records, in a searchable format. It permits access to routine public safety data without a formal records request. Typically, users of this inmate locating tool can access recent arrest and custody entries, such as:

  • Name of the arrested individual
  • Physical descriptors such as age, gender, and race
  • Booking or arrest date
  • Charges filed at the time of arrest
  • Arresting agency 
  • Custody status and location
  • Mugshots (when publicly available).

The Buncombe County Police to Citizen tool is not a complete repository of arrest files. Hence, for full reports, sealed records, or detailed histories, information seekers need to contact the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office or Clerk of Court and may be subject to additional procedures.

Active Warrant Search in Buncombe County

In Buncombe County, arrest warrants function as legal orders that authorize law enforcement to take specific individuals into custody. Magistrates and judges of the Buncombe County Superior Court and the Buncombe County District Court issue these documents once they establish probable cause that a named person committed an arrestable offense. A valid warrant typically includes:

  • Full name and identifying details of the accused
  • Alleged criminal charge(s)
  • Applicable statute or offense classification
  • Date of issuance
  • Name of the issuing judicial official
  • Jurisdiction
  • Command directing law enforcement to arrest the individual.

The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office does not issue warrants. However, once a judge or magistrate issues an arrest warrant in Buncombe County, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for:

  • Tracking the warrant
  • Attempting service of the warrant
  • Coordinating with other agencies to execute the warrant 
  • Maintaining warrant records
  • Confirming status when legally permitted.

Buncombe County does not operate an official public real-time online warrant database. Individuals seeking information about active warrants in Buncombe County should contact the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office at:

60 Court Plaza,

Asheville, 

NC 28801

Phone: (828) 250-4503 

Alternatively, contact the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court at:

60 Court Plaza

Asheville, 

NC 28801

Phone: (828) 259-3400.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Buncombe County

There are several ways to access arrest-related information in Buncombe County. However, these options come with practical limitations and provide access only to recent arrest details. 

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office Police to Citizen portal provides no-cost access to arrest information through its inmate roster. This access portal permits free access to arrest information, such as:

  • Full name and identifying details 
  • Booking dates
  • Charges
  • Custody status.

Information about Buncombe County arrests that result in criminal prosecutions is available in the county's criminal case records. Individuals can access these records for free through the North Carolina Judicial Branch Public Access Tools. Users can search for criminal case-related arrest information without payment.

While these sources may permit access to Buncombe County arrest records at no cost and without verification, only basic arrest information and court filings are accessible. Access to older, sealed, expunged, or full arrest details may require formal requests to the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office or the Clerk of Superior Court for certified copies of criminal case records.

Buncombe County Arrest Report

Buncombe County arrest records are official documents created by the county's law enforcement agencies when individuals are arrested and booked into jail facilities. They are summary entries in official custodial or case management systems documenting individuals who were taken into custody. By comparison, a Buncombe County arrest report is a narrative document prepared by the arresting officer describing the circumstances of the arrest. These documents provide first-hand accounts of an incident, witness statements, evidence collected, and measures taken by law enforcement during an arrest. The table outlines common differences between Buncombe County arrest records and arrest reports.

Criterion 

Buncombe County Arrest Record 

Buncombe County Arrest Report 

Definition

A summary entry documenting that a person was arrested and booked into custody

A written narrative explaining the circumstances of the arrest

Main function

Administrative tracking within jail and court systems

Documentation of the incident for investigation and prosecution

Prepared by

Booking staff or an automated law enforcement records system

Arresting or investigating officer

Level of detail

Basic identifying and custody information

Detailed account of events and officer observations

Typical contents
  • Name
  • Booking number
  • Charges
  • Arrest date/time
  • Bond amount
  • Custody status
  • Probable cause statement
  • Timeline
  • Witness information
  • Evidence notes
  • Officer actions

Primary users
  • Jail staff
  • Courts
  • Clerks
  • Background record systems
  • Prosecutors
  • Defense attorneys
  • Investigators

Legal significance

Confirms an arrest 

Supports the legal justification for the arrest

Public access

Often partially public through jail or court lookup tools

Usually involves a records request, and law enforcement may redact certain information.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Buncombe County

Expungement of Buncombe arrest records is the legal process of sealing or removing arrest records, charges, or convictions from public access. This process allows the owner of the arrest record to lawfully proclaim that the incident never occurred. 

Under North Carolina law, an arrest record may qualify for expunction if:

  • The charges result in dismissal or a not guilty verdict. Arrest records under this category are eligible for automatic expungement under SB 565/Second Chance Act
  • The arrest is for an eligible non-violent misdemeanor or felony
  • The arrest record qualifies for expunction under the youthful offender relief.

The following stepwise process outlines how to expunge a Buncombe County arrest record:

  • Request and obtain the arrest record (criminal record) from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation(SBI)
  • Download and complete the relevant expunction form. North Carolina offers multiple petition forms. The appropriate form for an expungement petition depends on the situation, for instance:  
    • Dismissed charges/not guilty
    • Non-violent misdemeanor or felony convictions
    • Youthful offender forms
  • File the petition with the Buncombe County Clerk of Court at:
    The Buncombe County Courthouse 
    60 Court Plaza,
    Asheville, 
    NC 28801
  • Pay the filing fee or seek a waiver (if eligible). North Carolina charges $175.00 for an expungement petition. 
  • Notify the District Attorney’s Office and the arresting law enforcement agencies about the petition. 
  • Respond to all objections or hearing requirements.
  • Wait for the judge to review the application. If the petition is successful, the court will issue an expunction order instructing all relevant agencies to delete the record from official systems.

How Do You Remove Buncombe County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Removing an arrest record from the internet is a separate process from expungement. After a court expunction, non-governmental websites may still display old booking data unless the subject takes action to stop it. To remove a Buncombe County arrest record from the internet:

  • Obtain an expungement order from the Buncombe County Superior Court. This provides a legal ground to demand removal from private databases.
  • Identify the platforms where the record appears, including: 
    • Mugshot websites
    • Background check sites
    • News articles
    • Public record aggregators
    • Old court listing archives
  • Contact each website directly. Most record sites have a removal request page or privacy contact email. To request the removal of the arrest record, submit: 
    • The name on the record and the URL of the page 
    • Proof of identity
    • A copy of the expunction order (if applicable)
    • A written request for removal
  • Use search engine content removal tools or submit a legal removal request to de-index the record from Google, Bing, and other search engines 
  • Write a formal removal request to news agencies. This should include the expunction order and explanation that the record has been legally cleared
  • Monitor and follow up, because records often reappear through data resellers. To maintain privacy, establish a routine monitoring process as follows: 
    • Set Google Alerts for the record’s name
    • Make quarterly searches
    • Follow-up removal requests if reposted.

What Do Public Buncombe County Arrest Records Contain?

Generally, public arrest records contain basic identifying and case-related information, but they exclude sensitive or restricted fields. A typical Buncombe County public-facing arrest record provides the following details:

Personal Identifiers

  • Full name of the arrested individual  
  • Date of birth (age may also be listed)  
  • Gender and race  
  • Booking photograph (mugshots)  

Arrest Details

  • Date and time of arrest  
  • Location of arrest (city/county, sometimes specific address)  
  • Arresting agency (for instance, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, local police department, or state law enforcement agency)
  • Booking number or ID assigned by the detention facility  

Charges

  • List of offenses (statutory citations and descriptions, for example, “Possession of Controlled Substance”)  
  • Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction)  
  • Case number associated with the charges  

Custody Information

  • The detention facility where the individual is held  
  • Bond or bail amount (if applicable)  
  • Custody status (released, detained, or transferred)  

Court-related information

  • Initial court date or hearing schedule  
  • Jurisdiction (Buncombe County Superior or District Court).