Ashe County Criminal Felony Records

Ashe County felony records are maintained at the courthouse in Jefferson, North Carolina, in the far northwest corner of the state. The Clerk of Superior Court in Ashe County is the keeper of all criminal case files, and the public may view or request copies of these records. Ashe County is part of Judicial District 36, and all felony cases go through Superior Court. Whether you search online or at the courthouse, this page lays out the steps for finding felony records in Ashe County and what resources are on hand to help you.

Ashe County Courthouse Information

The Ashe County Courthouse sits on Government Circle in Jefferson. The building houses both Superior Court and District Court, along with the Clerk of Superior Court and other offices. Felony cases are tried in Superior Court, and the clerk stores all records from those cases on site. The courthouse provides full court services for all residents of Ashe County.

Ashe County moved to the eCourts system on July 23, 2025, as a Track 9 county. Court records are now stored in the statewide digital platform alongside paper files at the clerk's office.

How to Search Ashe County Felony Records

You have two main options for searching felony records in Ashe County. The first is a trip to the courthouse in Jefferson. The clerk's office has public access terminals where you can look up cases at no charge. Enter a name or case number to see charges, court dates, and outcomes. Staff at the window can also pull a paper file for you if you need more depth on a specific case.

The second option is the NC eCourts portal. Since Ashe County joined the eCourts system in 2025, felony case data is now part of the online database. You can search from any device. Basic look-ups are free. You will see the same kind of data the terminals at the courthouse show.

Certified copies of felony records cost $25 each. Only the Clerk of Superior Court can issue them. Bring a photo ID to the courthouse or call (336) 846-3501 to ask about the process. Payment is by cash, check, or money order in most cases.

Felony Cases in Ashe County Courts

A felony case in Ashe County begins when a person is arrested or when a grand jury hands down an indictment. Superior Court takes over from there. Hearings, motions, and plea talks follow. If no deal is reached, the case goes to trial before a judge or jury. The judge then sets the sentence based on the felony class under North Carolina General Statutes.

Common felony charges in Ashe County include drug offenses, theft of high-value property, and assault causing serious harm. Each charge leaves a trail of documents in the court file. The arrest report, indictment, motions, and judgment are all part of the public record in Ashe County unless a judge has sealed the file.

The State Archives also holds historical Criminal Action Papers for Ashe County that date back to the 1800s. These older records are useful for research but are not at the courthouse. Current and recent felony records are kept on site by the clerk's office.

Note: Historical court records for Ashe County from the 1800s are stored at the NC State Archives, not at the courthouse in Jefferson.

Ashe County Criminal Record Checks

A criminal record check at the Ashe County Courthouse covers all charges filed locally. The clerk searches the system and gives you a certified report for $25. This document carries the court seal. It lists felonies, misdemeanors, and any other criminal charges on file for that person in Ashe County.

For a statewide search, turn to the NC State Bureau of Investigation. The SBI is the central storehouse for criminal data in North Carolina. Their service line is (919) 582-8660. A statewide check pulls records from all 100 counties, giving a broader view than a local search in Ashe County alone.

The Ashe County Courthouse page on the NC Courts website is shown below.

This listing gives the address, phone number, and links to court calendars and local forms for Ashe County.

Felony Record Expunctions in Ashe County

Some felony charges in Ashe County may be eligible for expunction. An expunction removes the record from public searches. The person files a petition at the courthouse, and a judge reviews the case to decide if it qualifies. Not all felonies can be wiped clean.

The NC SBI expungement page outlines the rules and lists eligible charges. You can get the petition form, AOC-CR-314, from the NC Courts forms page. If the judge approves the request, the felony record is removed from both the Ashe County files and the statewide database.

More Resources for Ashe County Records

The NC Department of Adult Correction offers a free offender search online. This tool covers state prisons and probation going back to 1972. It does not include county jail inmates. If someone was convicted of a felony in Ashe County and sent to state prison, they will appear in this search.

Crime victims in Ashe County can use VINE to track an offender's status. VINE sends alerts by phone, email, or text when an inmate is released or transferred. The service is free and covers facilities across North Carolina.

The NC Sex Offender Registry is another public resource. You can search by name or address to find registered offenders near any location in Ashe County. Local sheriffs send the data to the SBI, which keeps the registry current.

Note: The offender search run by the NC Department of Adult Correction does not include people held in the Ashe County jail or on local probation.