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 RandolphRecords.org, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records searches in Randolph County may return information related to arrests, charges, court dispositions, sentencing, and incarceration history, though the completeness and currency of any record depends on the originating agency and the nature of the case. Record categories that may appear in search results include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Felony and misdemeanor charges
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Conviction and sentencing records
- Active and recalled warrants
- Sex offender registration entries
- Jail and inmate records
Official records may be searched through the Randolph County court system, the Sheriff's Office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and state-level online portals. The following methods provide structured, actionable pathways for locating criminal records through verified government channels.
1. County Court Records: The Randolph County Superior Court maintains criminal case files for felony and misdemeanor matters heard within the county. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the clerk's office during business hours. Requestors should bring a government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number. Public access terminals are available in the clerk's office lobby.
Randolph County Superior Court – Clerk of Superior Court
176 E Salisbury St, Asheboro, NC 27203
Phone: (336) 318-6500
Randolph County Clerk of Superior Court
2. Sheriff's Office: The Randolph County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. Requests for arrest records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees may apply for copies of records.
Randolph County Sheriff's Office
727 McDowell Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205
Phone: (336) 318-6699
Randolph County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search: The North Carolina Courts system provides a public case search portal through the North Carolina Court System's eCourts portal, where users may search by name, case number, or county. Search results display case type, filing date, charges, and disposition where available. Sealed, expunged, and juvenile records do not appear in public search results.
4. State Criminal History Repository: The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) maintains the state's central criminal history repository. Members of the public may submit a name-based or fingerprint-based background check request through the North Carolina SBI Criminal Information and Identification Section. Fingerprint-based checks require submission of a completed fingerprint card. Processing times and fees vary by request type; at present, the standard fee for a name-based check is $14.00.
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
3320 Garner Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610
Phone: (919) 662-4500
NC SBI Criminal History
5. Written/Mail Requests: Written requests for court records may be directed to the Randolph County Clerk of Superior Court at 176 E Salisbury St, Asheboro, NC 27203. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the approximate time period of the record 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 Record
A criminal record is an official government document that reflects an individual's documented interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial arrest through final case disposition. In North Carolina, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies at the county and state level, and each record type serves a distinct legal purpose.
The distinction between record types is significant for public access purposes:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took a person into custody; it does not indicate guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by plea or verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felony records involve more serious offenses and carry greater legal consequences; misdemeanor records reflect lesser offenses. Both are part of the public criminal history under North Carolina law.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public disclosure under applicable statutes. Juvenile records are confidential under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000 and are not available to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest; historical records document past proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Randolph County include:
- Randolph County Sheriff's Office – arrest records, jail records, booking information
- Randolph County Superior Court and District Court – court case files, charges, pleas, dispositions, sentencing orders
- North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation – statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments – incident and arrest reports originating from municipal law enforcement
Records are created at the point of arrest, updated as cases progress through arraignment, plea negotiations, trial, and sentencing, and may be further modified by appeals, probation or parole status changes, or expungement orders. 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, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1, defines public records broadly to include documents made or received by government agencies in the course of public business. Court records and arrest records maintained by county agencies fall within this definition and are open to inspection by any member of the public.
As stated in the statute, "the public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people." This foundational principle supports broad access to criminal justice records at the county level.
The following categories are accessible to the public:
- Adult conviction records
- Court proceedings and case filings
- Arrest and booking records
- Sentencing orders and probation records
The following categories are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records (confidential under state law)
- Expunged records (removed from public view by court order)
- Sealed case records
- Ongoing criminal investigation files
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
The North Carolina Attorney General's Office provides guidance on the application of the Public Records Law to criminal justice records. Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal privacy frameworks and are not governed by state open records statutes.
How To Find Criminal Records in Randolph County Online
Official County Resources: The primary online resource for Randolph County court records is the North Carolina Courts public case search, which allows users to search by name or case number across all North Carolina counties, including Randolph. The Randolph County Sheriff's Office website provides access to current inmate and booking information through the Randolph County Sheriff's Office inmate search. Each portal contains distinct data: the court search reflects filed cases and dispositions, while the Sheriff's portal reflects current custody status.
State-Level Resources: The North Carolina Department of Public Safety Offender Public Information portal allows searches of individuals under active supervision or incarcerated within the state prison system. The NC SBI provides background check services through its criminal history request portal.
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
- Note that records older than the digitization cutoff may not appear online
- Expunged and sealed records will not appear in any public online search
Limitations: Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating electronic filing are not available through online portals and require in-person requests. Online results do not constitute official certified records and are not suitable substitutes for formal background checks in employment or licensing contexts.
Can You Search Randolph County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options:
1. In-Person Inspection: North Carolina law mandates that public records be made 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 permitted. 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: The following portals provide free public access:
| Resource | What's Free | Link |
|---|---|---|
| NC Courts Case Search | Case filings, charges, dispositions | eCourts Portal |
| Randolph County Sheriff | Current inmate roster, booking info | Sheriff's Office |
| NC DPS Offender Search | State prison/supervision records | DPS Offender Search |
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: $0.25 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee (fees set by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts)
- Official state criminal history background checks: $14.00 (name-based) through the NC SBI
- Fingerprint-based background checks: fees vary by submission method
- Staff-assisted record searches involving extensive research may incur additional charges
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 Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information: Arrest records reflect the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information: Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes with felony or misdemeanor classification, plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition: Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of probation or supervised release, as well as any appeals filed.
Additional Record Types: A complete criminal history may also include active or recalled warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI or DWI records, traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court, and pending charges.
NOT Included in Public Records:
- Juvenile adjudications (sealed under state law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed diversion program records where expungement has been granted
Accuracy Note: Criminal records may contain clerical errors or outdated information. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their own records may petition the originating court or agency for correction. The North Carolina Courts system provides procedural guidance on record correction and expungement petitions.
How Long Does Randolph County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements: North Carolina's records retention schedules, administered by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, establish minimum retention periods for criminal justice records maintained by county agencies. State law requires that agencies adhere to approved retention schedules before disposing of any public record.
Retention by Record Type:
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the court and the NC SBI
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; the NC SBI retains conviction records indefinitely
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum period; subject to expungement petition under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-145
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Court records are retained permanently and reflect the dismissal or acquittal as the disposition
- Juvenile records: Sealed at age 18 in most circumstances; destruction timelines are governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution of the matter
Agency Differences:
- County courts: Permanent retention for criminal case files per North Carolina court records retention rules
- Sheriff and jail records: Booking and arrest records retained per county retention schedules, with a minimum of several years for most record types
- NC SBI repository: Conviction records retained permanently; the NC SBI maintains the authoritative statewide criminal history database
Physical vs. Electronic Records: Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many cases. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digital preservation, provided the electronic copy meets archival standards.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement: Destruction removes a record entirely from agency custody. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-145 for eligible offenses, removes the record from public view and directs agencies to treat the matter as if it did not occur, though law enforcement agencies may retain access under specific circumstances. Expungement petition forms are available through the North Carolina Courts website.
Old Records Access: Records predating electronic filing systems may require special in-person requests at the Randolph County Clerk of Superior Court or through the North Carolina State Archives. Some historical records have been microfilmed or digitized and may be accessible through archival requests.
Federal Records: Criminal records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation are governed by federal law and retained separately from state records. Federal expungement orders do not automatically remove records from the FBI's National Crime Information Center database.
Practical Implications: Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain part of an individual's permanent criminal history and appear on background checks conducted for employment, housing, and professional licensing. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of most criminal records to seven years for certain positions, though no such limitation applies to positions with salaries above applicable thresholds. Professional licensing boards in North Carolina may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction.