Access Asheville Criminal Court Records
Asheville criminal court records are managed by the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court. The city sits in western North Carolina and serves as the county seat. Asheville does not have its own criminal court. All criminal cases from the city go through the Buncombe County court system in Judicial District 40. You can search these records online through the state eCourts portal or visit the courthouse at 60 Court Plaza. This guide explains how to find and obtain criminal court records from Asheville.
Asheville Quick Facts
Criminal Court Records in Asheville
North Carolina handles all criminal cases at the county level. Asheville has no municipal criminal court. When someone is charged with a crime in Asheville, the case enters the Buncombe County court system. The county runs both District Court and Superior Court from the courthouse at 60 Court Plaza.
District Court in Asheville handles misdemeanors. A judge decides these cases without a jury. If a defendant wants a jury trial, the case goes to Superior Court on appeal. Felony cases start in District Court for initial hearings but are tried in Superior Court. A grand jury in Buncombe County decides whether to indict on felony charges.
| Court | Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 60 Court Plaza Asheville, NC 28801 |
| Phone | (828) 259-3400 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/buncombe-county |
The courthouse is in downtown Asheville. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Security screens all guests at the door.
Search Asheville Criminal Court Records
The NC eCourts Portal is the best way to search Asheville criminal court records from home. It is free. No account is needed. You can search by party name, case number, or citation number. The portal shows charges, court dates, and case outcomes for cases in Buncombe County.
Cases filed after October 9, 2023 are generally available on the portal. Older cases may not be there yet. For those, call the Buncombe County clerk at (828) 259-3400 or visit in person. The clerk's office has self-service terminals where you can search for free.
You can also use the NC Courts public records request form to ask for copies by mail. Include the case number or full name of the defendant. Allow time for the clerk to process your request.
Note: Printing from courthouse terminals may have a small per-page fee in Buncombe County.
Asheville Police and Buncombe County Sheriff
The Asheville Police Department patrols the city. They keep arrest and incident reports at their office at 60 Court Plaza. Call the records division at (828) 259-5834 for police reports. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The non-emergency line is (828) 252-1110.
The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office also serves the Asheville area. You can reach them at the Buncombe County Sheriff's website to find more about their services. The sheriff handles inmate searches, civil process, and concealed handgun permits. Their main phone number is (828) 250-4503.
The sheriff also runs the detention center. If you need to find out if someone from Asheville is in custody, contact the sheriff's office. The jail line is (828) 250-4503. Online inmate lookup is also available through their site.
Asheville Criminal Court Records Checks
Asheville and Buncombe County have a unique resource called the City-County Bureau of Identification. The CCBI is at 20 Davidson Drive in Asheville. They offer criminal record checks and fingerprinting services. The processing fee is $5. You can reach them at (828) 250-4664. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
For a certified criminal record check through the court, use Form AOC-CR-314. Submit it to the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court with a $25 fee. This search covers all criminal cases filed in the county, including those from Asheville. Results include case numbers, charges, and dispositions.
The NC State Bureau of Investigation also offers statewide checks. A state fingerprint check costs $14. A national FBI check costs $18. These go beyond what a single county search can find.
Fees for Asheville Criminal Court Records
Fees follow the North Carolina statewide schedule. The Buncombe County clerk handles all payments for court records in Asheville.
- Certified criminal record check: $25 per name
- Uncertified copy: $2.00 first page, $0.25 each added page
- Certified copy: $3.00 per document
- Self-service terminal search: free
- CCBI record check: $5.00
Call (828) 259-3400 to confirm fees before visiting. The NC Courts records page also has details on how to get copies from any county in the state.
Restricted Criminal Records in Asheville
Some Asheville criminal court records are not available to the public. Juvenile cases are sealed under N.C.G.S. 7B-3000. Expunged records are fully removed. Grand jury proceedings are secret. Active law enforcement files tied to open cases are also exempt from public view.
If a record has been sealed or expunged, it will not show up on any search. Not on the eCourts portal. Not on a certified check. Not on the courthouse terminals. The Buncombe County clerk cannot release these records to the public.
Note: The NC Judicial Branch website has more information on which records are restricted under state law.
Historical Criminal Records in Asheville
Asheville has a long court history. Buncombe County was formed in 1791. Many old criminal records from that era are at the NC State Archives in Raleigh. The State Archives at 109 East Jones Street holds court records dating back to the 1800s. Microfilm copies are available for research.
Modern criminal court records in Asheville are stored at the Buncombe County clerk's office. Cases filed in recent decades are in the county system. The eCourts portal covers newer cases. For records between the archives and the portal, you may need to visit the clerk in person. Staff can search older files that are not yet online.
Asheville sits in the mountains of western North Carolina. The city draws visitors from across the region. This means the court system handles cases involving people from many different areas. When searching for criminal court records tied to Asheville, having the full name and date of birth helps narrow results.
Buncombe County Criminal Court Records
Asheville is the county seat of Buncombe County. Every criminal case filed in the city is part of the Buncombe County court system. For more details on county resources, sheriff contacts, and the full fee schedule, visit the county page.