Criminal records in Buncombe County, North Carolina, are accessible through several channels. BuncombeCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the North Carolina court system's online portal, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, and the Clerk of Superior Court's office. Whether you need to look up a pending charge, check a case outcome, or request a certified background check, the resources below explain each method step by step.
How to Search Criminal Records in Buncombe
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Buncombe County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and whether you need an official certified document or just want to look up case details.
Online Search Options
- BuncombeCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information by name or case number.
- North Carolina Judicial Branch Portal — The Court Records search portal lets you look up criminal cases statewide, including Buncombe County. You can search by defendant name, case number, or date range.
- Buncombe County Sheriff's Office — The Police to Citizen portal provides inmate inquiry, event searches, and other law enforcement data.
- NC Department of Adult Correction — The Offender Search tool covers state prison inmates, probationers, parolees, and registered sex offenders.
- Court Dates — Use the Find Court Date tool to search upcoming hearings by name, county, or date range.
In Person
Visit the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court's office at the courthouse in Asheville. Public access terminals may be available for looking up case information. Staff at the Criminal & Traffic Division can assist with record checks, court appearance questions, and expunction inquiries.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request for a criminal record search to the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court. The NC Judicial Branch criminal background check page explains the process for requesting a certified single-county background check. For a statewide criminal history, requests go to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
What You Need to Start a Search
- Defendant's full legal name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if available)
- County where the case was filed
Search Buncombe Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by it is the fastest way to pull up a specific record. North Carolina uses a standardized case number format across all counties.
A typical case number looks like this: 25 CRS 012345
- 25 — The last two digits of the year the case was filed (2025 in this example)
- CRS — The case type code. Common criminal codes include:
- CRS — Criminal Superior Court
- CRD — Criminal District Court
- IF — Infraction
- CR — Criminal (general, older format)
- 012345 — A sequential file number assigned by the clerk's office
Enter the full case number exactly as it appears on any court document, citation, or notice. Omitting the case type code or transposing digits will return no results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Buncombe
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The North Carolina General Statute (N.C.G.S.) section the defendant is charged under, e.g., § 14-72 (larceny) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction. Felonies are classed A through I; misdemeanors are classed A1 through 3. |
| Amended Charges | A charge may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations. The amended charge replaces the original for sentencing purposes. |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further court action.
- Active — Proceedings are underway; hearings or trial dates are scheduled.
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, etc.).
- Closed — All obligations are satisfied and the case file is complete.
Hearing Types
- First Appearance / Arraignment — The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea.
- Preliminary Hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases in district court).
- Pre-Trial — Attorneys discuss discovery, motions, and possible resolution before trial.
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury.
- Sentencing — The judge imposes a sentence after a conviction or guilty plea.
- Review Hearing — A follow-up to check compliance with probation or other court orders.
Court Results (Dispositions)
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict. |
| Not Guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial. |
| Dismissed | The charge was dropped by the prosecution or the court. |
| Dismissed with Leave | Dismissed, but the State may refile the charge within a set period. |
| Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) | Judgment is continued indefinitely; no formal sentence is entered at that time. |
| Deferred Prosecution | The case is held open while the defendant completes conditions; charges may be dismissed upon compliance. |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Buncombe
Certified criminal records carry an official seal and are accepted by employers, licensing boards, and government agencies. In Buncombe County, the Clerk of Superior Court handles certified criminal background checks for cases filed in this county.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Clerk of Superior Court's office at the Buncombe County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Ask for a certified criminal record search by name.
- By mail — Send a written request to the Clerk of Superior Court. Include the full name of the person being searched, date of birth if known, your return address, and a check or money order for the applicable fee.
- Statewide criminal history — For records beyond Buncombe County, submit a request to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Fingerprint-based checks are available for certain employment and licensing purposes.
Required Identification
- Valid photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport) for in-person requests
- If requesting someone else's record, no special authorization is needed for public court records in North Carolina — criminal case files are generally open to the public
Contact Information
Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court
For questions about court procedures and local forms, see the Buncombe County page on the NC Judicial Branch website.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Buncombe
Fees for criminal record searches and copies in North Carolina are set by statute (N.C.G.S. § 7A-308). The table below reflects standard fees at the Clerk of Superior Court's office.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified criminal record search (single county, by name) | $25.00 |
| Copies of court documents (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certification of a document (per certificate) | $3.00 |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Certified background checks at the clerk's office are often completed the same day or within one to two business days.
- Mail requests — Allow approximately one to two weeks for processing and return mailing.
- Statewide SBI checks — Processing times vary; fingerprint-based checks may take several weeks.
Payment methods accepted at the clerk's office typically include cash, check, and money order. Contact the office directly to confirm whether credit or debit cards are accepted for record requests.