Buncombe County Criminal Court Records

Buncombe County criminal court records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Asheville. The county sits in District 40 and handles a high volume of criminal cases each year. You can search for criminal court records in Buncombe County through the state eCourts portal or by visiting the courthouse. The clerk's office stores all case files and can help you find records by name or case number. Buncombe County also offers several specialty courts that handle specific types of criminal cases. Staff at the courthouse are able to assist with record requests during business hours.

Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court handles all criminal court records in Buncombe County. This office files new cases, stores court documents, and gives out copies. The courthouse is at 60 Court Plaza in Asheville. Staff can look up records and help you get what you need. Walk-in visits are welcome during regular hours.

Buncombe County is one of the larger court systems in western North Carolina. The clerk's office processes felony and misdemeanor cases for the entire county, which includes Asheville, Black Mountain, Weaverville, and other towns. All criminal cases filed in Buncombe County go through this office. You can get plain copies or certified copies of criminal court records from the clerk. A certified criminal record search costs $25 per name using Form AOC-CR-314. The clerk also has public access terminals where you can search criminal court records at no charge.

The Buncombe County courts page on the NC Judicial Branch site lists contact details, court calendars, and local rules for criminal cases.

Search Criminal Records in Buncombe County

There are a few ways to search for criminal court records in Buncombe County. The fastest option is the NC eCourts Portal, which lets you look up cases from any county in the state. You can search by party name, case number, or citation number. The portal is free to use and does not need an account for basic searches. It shows case details, court dates, and charges filed in Buncombe County.

You can also visit the courthouse in Asheville. The clerk's office has self-service terminals for free case lookups. These let you search by name or case number and view results on screen. Staff can pull paper files for you to review and make copies for a fee. Bring a valid ID when you visit. For a certified criminal record search in Buncombe County, fill out Form AOC-CR-314 and pay the $25 fee at the clerk's window.

Note: The eCourts portal does not show sealed or expunged criminal court records from Buncombe County.

Criminal Court Records in Buncombe County

Buncombe County courts handle both felony and misdemeanor cases. Superior Court hears all felony cases. These include charges like assault, drug crimes, robbery, and other serious offenses. A 12-person jury hears felony trials when the defendant pleads not guilty. District Court handles misdemeanors and infractions in Buncombe County.

Each case creates a set of records. These include the arrest warrant, charging documents, bond information, court dates, motions, plea deals, and the final judgment. All of these become part of the criminal court record in Buncombe County. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, most criminal court records are public. Anyone can request to view them at the clerk's office.

Buncombe County also has specialty courts. The Adult Treatment Court helps people with substance use issues who face criminal charges. The Veterans Treatment Court serves veterans with criminal cases. The DWI Treatment Court focuses on repeat DWI offenders. These programs create their own set of records within the criminal court system in Buncombe County.

Buncombe Criminal Court Records Fees

The cost to get criminal court records in Buncombe County depends on what you need. A certified criminal record search costs $25 per name. Plain copies of documents cost less. Call the clerk to ask about current copy fees before your visit.

Here are common fees for criminal court records in Buncombe County:

• Certified criminal record search: $25 per name
• Additional copy of same record: $15
• Self-service terminal search: free
• Plain document copies: varies by page count
• eCourts Portal search: free

You can pay in person at the clerk's office. The NC Courts criminal background check page explains how to submit the form and fee by mail if you cannot visit in person. Mail requests should go to the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court at 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801.

Note: Fees are set by state law under G.S. 7A-308 and apply to all counties in North Carolina.

Online Criminal Court Records for Buncombe County

The NC eCourts system gives you online access to criminal court records in Buncombe County. The portal replaced the older ACIS system and now covers all 100 counties. You can search, view, and print case documents from home. Registration is optional but helpful if you plan to check records often.

Buncombe County also has eCourts services live at the courthouse, including eFiling and online payments. Attorneys must use eFiling for criminal case documents. The public can use the portal to check court dates, view charges, and track case progress in Buncombe County. The Remote Public Access Program offers licensed access to bulk criminal court data for businesses and organizations that need it.

The NC Department of Adult Correction has a separate offender search tool. This shows state prison inmates, probationers, and parolees. It does not include Buncombe County jail records. For local jail data, contact the Buncombe County Sheriff at (828) 250-4500.

Historical Criminal Records in Buncombe County

Older criminal court records from Buncombe County may be stored at the NC State Archives in Raleigh. Records from the 1800s and early 1900s are often kept there on microfilm. The State Archives is at 109 East Jones Street in Raleigh. Call (919) 814-6840 to ask what Buncombe County criminal records they hold.

More recent records stay at the courthouse in Asheville. The clerk's office has criminal court records going back many years. Digital records in the eCourts system cover recent decades. For very old cases, you may need to check both the local clerk and the State Archives to get a full picture of criminal court records in Buncombe County.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Buncombe County. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check the address where the crime took place. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the offense occurred.