Jackson County Arrest Records

Per North Carolina Arrest Law G.S. 15A-401%2C%20in%20the%20officer's%20presence.), arrests in Jackson County, North Carolina, are made when law enforcement officers have probable cause to believe an individual has committed a crime or when a court issues an arrest warrant. Once detained, Jackson County inmates are usually held at the Jackson County Detention Center, the primary facility for pretrial detainees and those serving short-term sentences.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is responsible for generating and maintaining arrest records within the county. These records include critical details such as the date, location, and charges associated with an arrest. Arrest records are part of a broader public record system and are closely linked to other records, such as Jackson County Court Records. Arrest records contain:

• Details of the subject's personal information: name, date of birth, fingerprint, race, sex, physical appearance, mug shot, etc.
• The name of the arresting officer.
• The time and place of arrest.
• Location of detention (e.g., Jackson County Detention Center).
• List of charges filed against the arrestee.

Are Arrest Records Public in Jackson County?

Under North Carolina Public Records Law, arrest records in Jackson County are generally considered public records, allowing members of the public to access them without stating a specific reason. However, certain types of information may be exempt from public disclosure. These exemptions include records of ongoing criminal investigations or intelligence gathered by law enforcement agencies, sensitive public security information, and photographs or recordings made during an autopsy. Additionally, records that have been sealed, expunged, or deemed sensitive due to age may also be restricted.

Individuals can submit a request to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office to access arrest records in Jackson County. The office's contact information is as follows:

Jackson County Sheriff's Office
399 Grindstaff Cove Road
Sylva, NC 28779
Phone: (828) 586-8901

Jackson County Arrest Statistics

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office recorded 1,079 arrests, as detailed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Data Explorer in 2023. While "All Other Offenses" accounted for the most significant number of arrests (771), other notable categories included drug/narcotic offenses (134), simple assault (82), and aggravated assault (29). Additionally, there were arrests for DUI (20), larceny (10), family offenses (nonviolent) (7), burglary (6), weapon law violations (5), and property crimes such as destruction/damage/vandalism and stolen property offenses. Of the 1,079 individuals arrested, 758 were male, and 321 were female. The majority of those arrested, 848, were identified as White.

Find Jackson County Arrest Records

The official website of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office provides an inmate search tool and a sex offender search tool. Interested persons can conduct name-based searches using these tools. Record seekers may also obtain information about inmates using the Inmate Locator tool of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) for individuals held in federal custody.

Jackson County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Jackson County arrest records detail an individual's arrest, including the date, charges, and arresting agency. It does not imply guilt. On the other hand, Jackson County criminal records contain information about a person's criminal history, including arrests, convictions, and sentences. They indicate a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. While an arrest record may be part of a criminal record, an arrest does not automatically result in a criminal conviction.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

The record type and the custodian's internal standards frequently dictate how long a record custodian in Jackson County maintains an arrest record. Jackson County arrests typically stay on a person's criminal record indefinitely unless expunged. State statutes or laws do not specify when arrest records must remain on file. However, if the arrest leads to a conviction, the record is turned over to the State Bureau of Investigation, which retains it for at least 50 years.

If someone wants to be eligible to have their records wiped, they must meet the following requirements:

• The charges against the individual were dropped, or they were not found guilty of the crime.
• The court has judged them guilty of a misdemeanor five years ago and a felony ten years ago.
• The state governor pardons the record subject.
• When someone is arrested for substance abuse, they have finished the suggested therapy and have not used drugs for some time.
• The document's topic is not connected to active warrants, probation, or parole.
• The court-mandated fines and restitutions have all been paid.

Jackson County Arrest Warrants

Jackson County arrest warrants are formal directives to take a person into custody for a specific crime. They are issued in various circumstances, such as when an individual fails to appear in court, violates probation or parole terms, or commits a new crime.

Information contained in an arrest warrant:

• The name and identifying details of the individual for whom the warrant was issued.
• The specific offense or charges that prompted the issuance of the warrant.
• The court or authority is responsible for authorizing the warrant.
• The date on which the warrant was issued.
• The name of the law enforcement agency or officer responsible for executing the warrant.
• The date and time of the warrant's execution.

Interested parties can contact the Jackson County Sheriff's Office directly or visit their office to inquire about active warrants.

Do Jackson County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Jackson County do not typically have a specific expiration date. They remain active until the individual is arrested, surrenders to authorities, or a judge formally withdraws or cancels the warrant. Factors like the subject's death or the statute of limitations for that crime can influence how long a warrant remains active.