Cleveland County Arrest Records

In Cleveland County, arrest records typically contain information generated during or after an arrest event. Arrests become necessary when an individual is suspected of violating state or federal statutes. Officers may also conduct arrests to prevent potential harm to lives or properties. Note that arrested persons may be temporarily detained at the county jail pending the outcome of further investigation.

Citizens will find arrest records under the purview of local law enforcement agencies. These entities record arrest events and also release the records to interested persons or entities. To find arrest records, inquirers must make a request in person during open hours at:

100 Justice Pl
Shelby, NC 28150
Phone: (704) 484-4888

Cleveland County arrest records are also accessible in other public documents. For instance, you may find arrest warrant information in Cleveland County court records. Rap sheets and inmate records are also resources for finding arrest information in Cleveland County.

Are Arrest Records Public in Cleveland County?

Under North Carolina's General Statutes (Chapter 132), Cleveland County arrest records are mostly open to the general public. This means all persons have the legal right to inquire, view, and get copies of arrest records from specific agencies. Under state law, these agencies must disclose records in their custody to interested persons or entities. The agencies must also provide options for obtaining the records.

In contrast, the law requires record custodians to prevent access to certain arrest information. Exempt records may contain data violating a person's right to safety and privacy. Other exempt Cleveland arrest records include the following:

• Complaining witnesses’ names and addresses
• Arrest information sealed by a court order
• Arrest data that, if disclosed, may violate a defendant's right to a fair trial or the state's right to prosecute a defendant.

Note: Record custodians may disclose confidential or exempt arrest information to legally eligible persons or entities, like the record subject or their legal representatives. That being said, eligible requesters must provide a valid ID to obtain such records.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Per § 132-1.4, public arrest records in Cleveland County may include the following information:

• The arrestee's name, sex, age, and address
• The offense type, date, and location.
• Circumstances around the arrest, including the arrest date and location.
• Emergency call transcript

Cleveland County Crime Rate

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations (NCSBI) maintains an annual statistics report for all reported crimes. Per the agency’s 2022 crime report, Cleveland County documented a total of 1,913 criminal incidents, including 442 violent and 1,471 property-type crimes in 2022. Larceny thefts and aggravated assaults were the most reported crimes in the report.

Cleveland County Arrest Statistics

According to the NCSBI arrest report, Cleveland County’s law enforcement agencies conducted 3,367 arrests in 2022. North Carolina’s Department of Safety maintains an incarceration report. Per the report, Cleveland County’s correctional facilities housed 3,357 inmates in 2021.

Find Cleveland County Arrest Records

In Cleveland County, inquirers can find arrest records at the county sheriff's office. As the record custodian, the agency is obligated to provide copies of the record upon request. To obtain the record, record seekers must make an in-person request to the county sheriff's office at:

100 Justice Pl
Shelby, NC 28150
Phone: (704) 484-4888

Inmate records are an alternative option for finding arrest information. Such records may feature arrest information, such as the arrestee's name, arrest charges, booking date, and photograph.

Interested persons can find inmate records at local, state, or federal agencies. For example, the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office provides a county-level inmate inquiry database. The database features information on detained persons at the county jail. To view inmate records, users must search for the inmate's name using the database search filter option.

At the state level, inmate records are under the purview of the state's NC Department of Adult Corrections. The agency hosts an online search database for current inmates, probationers, and parolees in the state's correctional system. To search inmate information, users must input the inmate's name or ID.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons’ inmate locator also provides access to inmate information. Users must input the inmate's name or prison number to find arrest information.

Free Arrest Record Search in Cleveland County

You may search for arrest records for free on the following government-owned search sites:

• Cleveland County Sheriff's inmate inquiry database
• North Carolina's Department of Adult Corrections’ offender locator.
• Federal Bureau of Prisons’ inmate search.

Alternatively, third-party search sites provide free access to arrest records. Such sites mostly feature user-friendly interfaces and do not have restrictions common in official search sites. Nevertheless, third-party search sites are mostly unregulated and may not feature complete arrest information.

Get Cleveland County Criminal Records

In Cleveland County, criminal records are official files on an individual's arrest charges and conviction history. Such records are accessible at designated government agencies. For instance, the Cleveland County Superior Court allows mail or in-person requests for criminal records in its custody. To obtain the record, inquirers must fill out the Form AOC-CR-314, include the required $25 search fee, and send it to:

P.O. Box 1210
100 Justice Place
Shelby, NC 28150.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation also maintains and provides access to criminal records. Inquirers can access the records through these steps:

1. Visit a local law enforcement agency to get fingerprinted. The agency may request a valid ID before taking your fingerprints.
2. Fill out the Right to Review Form.
3. Enclose a $14 money order or check made payable to the NC State Bureau of Investigations.
4. Attach a valid ID that includes information on the birth date and social security number.
5. Send the documents and fees to:

NC State Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Information and Identification Section
Attention: Applicant Unit-Right to Review
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27610.

Cleveland County Arrest Records vs. Criminal Records

Cleveland County's arrest records are quite different from criminal records. Although both records contain criminal information, they differ in terms of implications, the creation process, custodian agency, and content. Arrest records do not indicate if the record subject is guilty of the arrest charges, while criminal records reveal the court's verdict concerning an offense.

The records’ content is also a differentiating factor; arrest records typically cover arrest-related events like arrest charges, arrest date and location, and the arresting agency. However, criminal records cover arrest information, indictments, and court convictions.

Regarding record creation, local law enforcement agencies primarily generate arrest data, whereas criminal records are generated by multiple agencies. Local law enforcement agencies, county courts, and correctional facilities contribute data to create criminal records.

Law enforcement agencies also serve as record custodians of arrest records, while criminal records are accessible through the county superior court and the state's Bureau of Investigation.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Cleveland County, arrest records do not expire. However, they remain on record unless you expunge or seal them from public view. Nevertheless, according to state laws, not all arrest charges are eligible for expungement.

Expunge Cleveland County Arrest Records

Expungement is a legal procedure for erasing arrest records from publicly maintained databases. To expunge arrest records, petitioners must file a petition with the county clerk in the county where the arrest or criminal conviction occurred.

Who is eligible to expunge arrest records in Cleveland County?

You can expunge arrest records if you meet these requirements:

• The arrest charges were dismissed.
• The court dismissed the criminal conviction or passed a not-guilty verdict before December 1, 2021.
• You were charged with a felony or misdemeanor before December 1, 1999.

Note: The offense type or age may determine whether you can expunge arrest records.

When can I expunge or seal arrest records in Cleveland County?

You can immediately file a petition to expunge dismissed arrest charges. However, you must wait for specific periods before expunging criminal convictions. For example, petitioners must wait five years after the conviction date to expunge a misdemeanor offense. However, the waiting period is seven years for expunging more than one misdemeanor charge.

For one non-violent felony, you must wait for 15 years after completing the sentence to file for expungement. However, you must wait for 20 years to expunge more than one non-violent felony.

How to expunge arrest records in Cleveland County

You can expunge arrest records by using this guide:

1. Create a petition that includes the following data:
   1. An affidavit that the petitioner has maintained good conduct and was not convicted of a misdemeanor or non-violent felony within the set timeframes.
   2. A criminal records check application to the NC State Bureau of Investigations.
   3. A signed affidavit that there are no outstanding fines or payments from civil judgments.
   4. Verified affidavits attesting to the petitioner’s good moral conduct from two persons who are not family or blood relatives.
2. File the petition with the Cleveland County Superior Court Clerk's office at
3. Include a $175 filing fee along with the petition.
4. Upon receiving the petition, the court will forward a copy of the petition to the district attorney's office. The district attorney has up to 30 days to raise an objection against the expungement.
5. The court will schedule a hearing date to determine the case.

Cleveland County Arrest Warrants

Cleveland arrest warrants are court orders that enforce the arrests of suspected lawbreakers. Court judges may issue warrants after receiving a complaint or affidavit from law enforcement officers. In some cases, judges may issue warrants for defendants who refuse to appear in court. Arrest warrants issued in Cleveland County will include the following:

• Arrestee's personal details, such as the name, aliases, or address (if known)
• Arrest charge and description
• Court official's name and signature
• Arrest warrant issuance date.

Cleveland County Arrest Warrant Search

The Cleveland County sheriff's office maintains an online list of all active warrants issued in the county. Interested parties may find warrant information on this list or make in-person inquiries at the sheriff's office.

Do Cleveland County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Cleveland County arrest warrants do not expire. They remain active until the defendant is apprehended. County courts may also nullify arrest warrants.