What are Rutherford County Arrest Records?
Rutherford County arrest records are official documents of the Sheriff’s office and police departments in the county. These records contain data of all arrests that occurred within county borders. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) collates and publishes Rutherford County juvenile and adult arrest records annually. However, it only shows the basic bio-data of the offender such as sex, race, age, and gender. It does not include identifying information of the arrestee nor is it the criminal history information of an individual. It also contains specifics of the crime committed.
Crime Statistics
Crime Statistics for Rutherford County are maintained by the NC SBI. The Bureau also acts as a central repository for crime statistics in the State. According to 2018 data, the county recorded 2 murders, 4 robberies, 108 aggravated assaults, 492 burglaries, 344 larcenies, 86 motor vehicle thefts, and 6 arsons. The crime rate per 100,000 was 2,793.3 in 2018. Compared to data for 2014, total crimes grew by 3.27%. There was an increase in aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft cases by 80%, 15.49%, and 6.17% respectively. Robbery declined by -42.86%, and larceny by -19.44%. There were 2 reported cases of murder and 6 reported cases of rape that year. There was no record of arson.
What are Rutherford County Criminal Records?
Rutherford County criminal records are documents that contain information on criminal activities of individuals who committed crimes in the county. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation provides criminal history information to individuals who own the records, public entities and eligible organizations in the State.
How Do I Get Rutherford County Criminal Records?
Residents can obtain personal Rutherford County criminal record checks by contacting the NC SBI. The office offers fingerprint-based checks and charges $14 per request. This fee is payable by check or money order. Requesters must also send a written request by mail to the address below. Submitted applications must include the subject’s name, address, race, sex, date of birth, and a fingerprint card with the record holder’s fingerprint impressions. Applicants may also include their social security number but this requirement is optional.
NC State Bureau of Investigation,
Criminal Information and Identification Section,
Attention: Applicant Unit―Right to Review,
Post Office Box 29500,
Raleigh, NC 27626-0500
Residents must visit the self-service terminal located in the Clerk’s office to obtain non-certified criminal records. For certified criminal records, requests can be made at the Clerk’s office. Requesters must fill a Request for Certified Criminal Record Search Form and deliver it by mail or in person. It costs $25 per request. Pay with a money order or certified check if it is a mail request. Payments may be made by cash, money order, certified check, or credit card for in-person orders.
How To Find Rutherford County Sex Offender Information
Interested parties may obtain Rutherford County Sex Offender Information through the Sex Offender and Public Protection Registry. The SBI maintains this registry and provides access at no cost. Individuals may lookup sex offenders living nearby by entering an offender’s basic details such as first and last name, age, city, county, zip code, or status. Or by entering other details such as an address, latitude and longitude, and sex registration number. The office provides email and phone alerts, and the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) Mobile App as an alternative to the website registry.
How do I Visit an Inmate in Rutherford County Jail?
The Rutherford County Detention Center is maintained by the Sheriff’s Office. It is located at 198 North Washington Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139. The facility’s number is (828) 287-6160. Visitation days are Saturday and Sunday. Inmates on the 1st and 3rd floor with last names from A-L may receive visitors on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. M-Z visitation hours are 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the same day. Inmates on the 2nd & 4th floor with last names from A-L may receive visitors on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. M-Z visitation hours are 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the same day. Female and trustee visitation hours are 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, respectively.
Rutherford County also has a correctional center run by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice. Below is the address of the facility:
Physical Address
549 Ledbetter Road
Spindale, NC 28160
Phone: (828) 286-4121
Mailing Address
Box 127
Spindale, NC 28160
Visitation days are rotated every three months. From January 1 to March 31, inmates with last names beginning from A-Land M-Z may receive visitors on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Other visitation days include:
- April 1 to June 30 - Saturday M-Z; Sunday A-L
- July 1 to September 30 - Saturday A-L; Sunday M-Z
- October 1 to December 31 - Saturday M-Z; Sunday A-L
Visitors may call the facility to schedule a special visit.
Where And How To Find Rutherford County Inmate Information
Individuals who want to obtain Rutherford County Detention Center inmate information may do so by contacting the jail on (828) 287-6160. Friends and family may fund an inmate’s account through the jail’s mail service. Deposit by mail with a money order using the following address format:
"Inmate Name"
Rutherford County Detention Center
198 North Washington Street
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
The DPS provides the Offender Search to search incarcerated inmates, escapees/captures, absconders, and inmates who have been released. There is an option to download public offender-related information. More inmate information on funding, the telephone system, health service, and other prison services can be found on the Adult Corrections Website.
What are Rutherford County Court Records?
Rutherford County Court records are the official accounts of all cases tried in Rutherford Court. They contain court proceedings, dockets, judgments, and other important information from the case. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains these records at the county level. While the North Carolina Administrative Office of Courts (NCAOC) maintains and provides access to court data at the State level.
Location of all Courts in Rutherford County
Rutherford County has a Superior Court and District Court. Below are the addresses and contact numbers of the courts.
Rutherford County Superior Court
229 North Main Street
Suite 203
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Phone: (828) 288-6100
Fax: (828) 288-6101
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Rutherford County District Court
229 North Main Street
Suite 203
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Phone: (828) 288-6100
Fax: (828) 288-6101
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
What are Rutherford County Vital Records
Rutherford County’s vital records are official documents of key life events that occurred in Rutherford County. The Clerk of Superior Court acts as the custodian of divorce records. The Rutherford County Register of Deeds is the primary repository for obtaining birth, marriage, and death records in the county. Furthermore, the North Carolina Vital Records Office serves as the secondary and statewide repository to obtain any of the aforementioned vital records. The State Archives of North Carolina also issues copies of marriage records and bonds, death certificates, and divorce certificates. 1741 is the earliest date of records maintained by the archives while 1981 is their most recent date.
Where And How To Get Rutherford County Divorce Records
Interested parties may order divorce records from the Rutherford County divorce records by contacting the Clerk of Superior Court at the following address:
229 North Main Street
Suite 203
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Phone: (828) 288-6100
Fax: (828) 288-6101
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where And How To Get Rutherford County Marriage Records
The Register of Deeds issues certified copies of marriage records from 1867 to date. Eligible parties who may order these records include the spouses, immediate family, and legal representatives. To make an order, an applicant is required to complete an Application for Certified Copy of Rutherford County Vital Record Form, attach a copy of a driver’s license or valid photo ID, and mail the two, along with the applicable fee to the following address:
P.O. Box 551
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
It costs $10 per certified copy and $1 for photocopies. Pay by check or money order made out to the Register of Deeds. Parties may also search for marriage records on the Register of Deed Index Search.
Where And How To Get Rutherford County Birth Records
The Register of Deeds issues copies of Rutherford County birth certificates to qualified individuals. They include the registrant, immediate family, and legal representatives of the registrant. Obtain birth records from 1913 to present by completing an Application for a Certified Copy of Rutherford County Vital Record Form. Mail this form, along with valid photo identification and the required fee to the address below. The office charges $10 per certified copy; $1 for photocopy. Make payment with a check or money order addressed to the Register of Deeds.
P.O. Box 551
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Applicants may also search the Register of Deed Index for birth records
Where And How To Get Rutherford County Death Records
Eligible individuals may order certified copies of Rutherford County death certificates from 1913 to date from the Register of Deeds Office. It costs $10 per request. The office charges $1 to obtain photocopies of the certificates. Fill an Application for a Certified Copy of Rutherford County Vital Record Form, enclose a copy of valid photo ID or a driver’s license, and mail both documents with the applicable fee to the following address:
P.O. Box 551
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
The office also provides the Register of Deed Index where interested parties may search death records by name at no cost.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
