Randolph County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Randolph County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Randolph County may access publicly available information through official government channels, court systems, and third-party aggregators such as RandolphCountyRecords.us. Criminal records accessible through these resources may include arrest logs, booking records, court case dispositions, sentencing information, and warrant data. The availability and completeness of any record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the case, and applicable state law governing public disclosure.
Relevant record categories that may be available include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Criminal court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Active and historical warrant information
- Jail inmate rosters
- Sex offender registry entries
- Probation and parole records (where publicly accessible)
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary access points currently available.
1. County Court Records
The Randolph County Circuit Court maintains criminal case files for felony and misdemeanor matters adjudicated within the county. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
Randolph County Circuit Court Clerk
725 McDowell Road
Asheboro, NC 27203
Phone: (336) 318-6500
Randolph County Courts
Public access terminals are available in the clerk's office lobby during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Randolph County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. Members of the public may submit records requests in person or in writing. Fees for copies are assessed per applicable county schedule.
Randolph County Sheriff's Office
727 McDowell Road
Asheboro, NC 27203
Phone: (336) 318-6699
Randolph County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts operates the eCourts case search portal, which allows members of the public to search criminal case records by name, case number, or county. Users should note that not all historical records are digitized, and online results do not constitute certified copies.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) maintains the statewide criminal history repository. Formal background check requests may be submitted through the NC SBI Criminal Information and Identification Section. Requests for name-based checks require submission of identifying information; fingerprint-based checks are required for certain employment and licensing purposes. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
NC State Bureau of Investigation
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27626
Phone: (919) 662-4500
NC SBI Records
5. Written and Mail Requests
Written requests for criminal records may be submitted to the Randolph County Clerk of Superior Court or the Sheriff's Office at the addresses listed above. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
What Is Randolph County Criminal Records
A criminal record is a documented history of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions. In North Carolina, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the criminal justice process, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a finding of guilt by plea or verdict. An arrest without conviction does not establish criminal liability.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification, carrying potential sentences of more than one year of incarceration. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in court records.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records involving individuals under age 16 at the time of the offense are subject to confidentiality protections under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000 and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest; historical records document resolved matters.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Randolph County include:
- Randolph County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail booking records, inmate rosters
- Randolph County Circuit Court Clerk — court case files, charging documents, dispositions, sentencing orders
- NC State Bureau of Investigation — statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments — incident and arrest reports within their respective jurisdictions
Records are created at the point of arrest, updated through each stage of prosecution, and finalized upon disposition. A complete criminal record may include charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Randolph County
Criminal records in Randolph County are public records under North Carolina law. The North Carolina Public Records Law, codified at N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 132, establishes that public records are the property of the people and shall be open for inspection and examination at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision. Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are accessible to members of the public absent a specific legal restriction.
Certain categories of records are restricted from public disclosure, including:
- Juvenile records, which are confidential under state statute
- Expunged records, which are treated as though the underlying event did not occur
- Sealed court records, where a judge has entered a specific order restricting access
- Ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure could compromise law enforcement activity
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain case types
The North Carolina Department of Justice provides guidance on public records access through the NC Department of Justice. Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal disclosure rules and are not subject to state public records law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Randolph County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online resource for Randolph County criminal court records is the NC Courts case search tool, maintained by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal returns case status, charge information, and disposition data for matters filed in the county's district and superior courts. No registration is required for basic name searches.
The Randolph County Sheriff's Office publishes a current inmate roster on the Randolph County Sheriff's website, reflecting individuals currently held in the county detention facility.
State-Level Resources
The NC Courts statewide portal provides access to criminal case data across all 100 North Carolina counties. The NC SBI operates a separate background check system for authorized requestors requiring certified criminal history reports.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Understand that records predating digital conversion may not appear in online searches
- Expunged and sealed records will not appear in public-facing search tools
Limitations
Online databases reflect a data lag of varying duration depending on the agency. Historical records predating electronic filing are not uniformly digitized. Online search results do not constitute certified copies and are not suitable as official background check documentation for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Randolph County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
North Carolina law mandates that public records be available for inspection free of charge. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, agencies may not charge a fee for the inspection of public records, though fees for copies are permissible. In-person inspection is available at the Randolph County Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours.
2. Free Online Databases
| Resource | Cost | Access |
|---|---|---|
| NC Courts Case Search | Free | Online, no registration |
| Randolph County Inmate Roster | Free | Online |
| NC Sex Offender Registry | Free | Online |
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports are available through the Sheriff's Office and may be inspected at no charge during business hours.
What Costs Money
- Certified copies of court records: fees set by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts
- Official state criminal history background checks through the NC SBI
- Staff-assisted record searches beyond routine inspection
- Expedited processing requests
What's Included in a Randolph County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification (SID) number, and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges as formally filed (including felony or misdemeanor classification and applicable statute), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type, length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI and DWI adjudications
- Pending charges not yet resolved
NOT Included in Public Criminal Records
- Juvenile records (confidential under state law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Matters resolved through completed diversion programs
Accuracy Note
Criminal records may contain clerical errors or incomplete information. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their own records may seek correction through the originating agency or through the NC SBI's record review process.
How Long Does Randolph County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
North Carolina courts are governed by records retention schedules established by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. These schedules establish minimum retention periods by record type and have the force of law.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the court and the state repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a period determined by agency policy; may be subject to expunction
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained permanently in court records, with disposition noted
- Juvenile records: Sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood; destruction timelines governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
- County courts retain criminal case files permanently under state retention schedules
- The Sheriff's Office retains booking and jail records per county and state retention policy
- The NC SBI retains conviction records permanently in the statewide repository
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and digital preservation, provided the electronic copy meets archival standards.
Expungement
North Carolina law provides for expunction of certain criminal records under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-145 and related provisions. Expunction removes the record from public access and directs agencies to treat the matter as though it did not occur. Eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and the time elapsed since disposition. Expunged records may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specified purposes. Petition forms are available through the NC Courts expunction resources.
Even where a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless a valid expunction order has been served on all relevant agencies.
Federal Records
Records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation are subject to federal retention rules and are not affected by state expunction orders. Federal criminal history records are maintained separately from state repositories.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions appear on background checks indefinitely absent expunction. Employment background screening services operating under the Fair Credit Reporting Act report convictions within the timeframes permitted by that statute. Professional licensing boards may require disclosure of the complete criminal history regardless of the age of the record.