Burke County, NC Arrests & Jail Records
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How To Search Burke County Arrest Records
Annually, about 2,000 people are arrested in Burke County, which is under 1% of the approximate 234,000 annual arrests made across North Carolina. According to state law (North Carolina General Statute §132-1.4), arrest records are public information. However, some parts of these records are hidden.
These exempt records are only available to authorized parties such as persons named in the records, Superior Courts, sheriff offices, police departments, and the District Attorney. Requesting copies typically requires a nominal fee of $5 to $10 per record to cover administrative costs.
How To Look Up Burke County Arrest Records
Several agencies maintain and provide access to arrest records in the County, such as the Sheriff's Office, State Highway Patrol, Department of Public Safety, State Bureau of Investigation, and Superior Court.
Burke County Sheriff Arrest Records
You can get copies of arrest records from the Sheriff's Office by visiting their office at 150 Government Drive, Morganton, NC 28655. If you need help, you can call the Records Division directly at (828) 764-9513. The sheriff's office also has an online inmate search tool where you can find basic arrest details.
Burke County Police Arrest Records
When looking for arrest records in the county, it is important to know which police department made the arrest. Provide the arrestee's name and the date of the arrest when making the request. Many departments offer online portals, while in-person requests can be made at their records division. The County is served by several major police departments, which include:
The North Carolina Criminal Agency
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) is the agency responsible for processing statewide criminal record requests. Individuals can request their own criminal records by completing the Right to Review form. The request must be submitted in person with a valid ID and fingerprint card at the NCSBI office located at:
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation 3320 Garner Road Raleigh, NC 27610
There is a $14 processing fee, payable by certified check or money order. At this time, the NCSBI does not accept online requests for personal criminal records.
Burke County Criminal Court Records
Arrest records that result in formal charges can be found at the County Courthouse. These records are maintained by the Clerk of the Superior Court, who handles all criminal case files in the county.
To obtain criminal court records, individuals may visit the Clerk's Office in person at 201 S Green Street, Morganton, NC 28655. Requesters should provide the full name or case number to assist with the search and may be charged a small fee for copies. Online access is available through the online portal called eCourts Portal
For convenience, current Burke County arrest records can also be found on third-party websites like InfoTracer.
Arrest Statistics
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), Burke County reports a crime rate of approximately 179.20 per 100,000 people. The table below provides a breakdown of arrests recorded for various offenses:
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Theft | 95 |
| Larceny | 1318 |
| Burglary/Breaking & Entering | 943 |
| Arson | 5 |
| Simple Assault | 8 |
| Aggravated Assault | 11 |
| Rape | 7 |
| Robbery | 7 |
| Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter | 3 |
Source: North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI)
Police Departments in Burke County
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Valdese Police Department | 121 Faet St SW | 828-879-2102 |
Burke County Jail
- Agency Name: Burke-Catawba District Confinement Facility
- State: NC
- City: Morganton
- Type: County
- Address: 148 Government Drive
- Phone Number: 828-764-9583
- Fax: 828-764-9595
- Email: admin@burkesheriff.org
- Website: http://www.burkesheriff.org/burkecatawba.htm
Prisons and Jails in Burke County
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Burke County NC Jail | 201 South Green Street | 828-438-5481 |
| Foothills Correctional Institution | 5150 Western Avenue | 828-438-5585 |