Rutherford County Jail – Rutherfordton, NC

Rutherford County Jail is in Rutherford County, NC and is the primary jail for that region. Do you know someone in jail at Rutherford County Jail? This page gives you all about everything you might need to know about Rutherford County Jail,like the following: Find an inmate at Rutherford County Jail. Find inmate mugshots. The jail’s address and phone number. How to post bail. Intake procedures and booking. Court records. And much more…

The chance of going to jail is a scary thought, not only for the person who is incarcerated, but also their friends and family. The goal of this guide is to offer information and advice you need to make the process less stressful. If you have a specific question, please feel free to ask them, and any comments or tips that would be beneficial to others is much appreciated.

Do you have a family member, loved one, or friend that has gone to jail and want to find out where they are?

Do you know a family member or friend that has been arrested and you want to find them?

In order to find out who’s in jail at Rutherford County Jail you will have to go to their website and use the inmate lookup.

The Rutherford County Jail Inmate Roster is a list of persons who have been arrested and are in jail, including custody status, bail amount, and visiting hours. Also, you can find info about anybody who has been arrested or released within the past 24-hour period. Prisoners are shown in alphabetical order by their last name. You will be able to locate their arrest information more quickly if you’ve got their name, date of birth, or arrest number.

If your friend or family member might be at another county jail you can check our guide to other North Carolina jails: North Carolina County Jails

A mugshot, also called a jail booking picture, is the photograph that the jail takes when you are booked into jail. A mugshot is make of one and a side-view photo. Your name and jail booking number will appear on the photos, and they are stored at the jail.

Mugshots of people who have been arrested can be viewed on the Rutherford County Jail website, or you can see them in person at the Rutherford County Jail. When viewing mugshots online you will need to enter the prisoner’s legal name, and the arrest date, if you know it.

Trying to figure out how to have your mugshot taken down from the Rutherford County Jail website? This is difficult, as your mugshot is a matter of public record. To get your mugshot taken down you will need to file a ‘Petition to Expunge’. What this means is that your arrest record would be sealed, and unavailable to the public. Depending on your situation, this may be a longshot.

Read our in-depth tutorial about getting your mugshot taken down, the different mugshot websites, and the mugshot removal websites: How To Get Your Mugshot Removed

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Of course, if you’re arrested and put in jail, your only thought is when and how to get out. After you’ve gone through the intake process, your bail will be decided either through a preset bail schedule or a magistrate. If you don’t get a bail set this may mean that you will either be free to go until your trial, or you don’t get released while you wait for your court date.

If you are released from jail you will have to agree to show up for court, and until that day you won’t be permitted to travel out of the county.

Typically, inmates in the Rutherford County Jail can earn time off in exchange for good behavior if they respect the rules and area a good inmate while in jail.

If you follow the rules, you might be allowed to participate in work release. You will have to stay jail at the end of the day after work, or you could have the chance to move into a halfway house when you are not working.

Your bail is the amount of money that you have to pay to the court system in order to be released from jail until your court date. The amount you will be required to pay is determined by how serious your charges are. Someone you know will need to pay 10 percent of the total set before you can get discharged from jail. If you miss your scheduled court date, the person that bailed you out of jail will not get their money back.

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail have to call the Rutherford County Jail. If you have all the person’s info, like name, address and date of birth, they’ll be able to let you know what their bail is set at. Also, you can find out how much their bail is on the jail website.

Posting bail to get out of jail is no fun, but thankfully, its simple to do if you have the money. To start with, you need to find out if their bail is a Cash Only Bond situation. If so, you will not be able to use the services of a Bail Bondsman. Take cash only to the jail – they can’t take a check. As soon as you’ve posted (paid) bond, the person will be released. If they don’t violate the terms of their bail, you will get this money back.

If bail is set too high, or you just don’t have the money, you might need to use a bail bondsman. Bondsmen will generally have a fee of 10 to 15 percent of total bail, and in most cases with a minimum charge of $100. The money you pay to the bail bondsman is non-refundable and the bondsman only accepts cash. If the bail is exceptionally high, the bondsman will usually use your assets, such as home, property or cars, as collateral.

To talk to a local bail bondsman go to: Find a Bail Bondsman in Rutherford County

Have you ever hired a bondsman to bail someone out of jail? If so, please share your experience in a comment below, and let us know how it worked out.

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• Early Release For Good Behavior
• Work Release Programs
• Get Out For Time Served
• Get Out on a Pre-Trial Release Program
• Get Released on House Arrest
• Get Released on Your Own Recognizance

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The jail intake procedure is made up of these steps:

• You will be placed in a holding cell. If the jail is really busy, you may not be processed immediately.
• First, have to answer a number of questions, such as your full legal name, address, birth date and an emergency contact person.
• They’ll also ask about your medical and psychological history.
• You will be issued an inmate ID number.
• You will be fingerprinted.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• Any personal property you have will be taken away from you and stored until you get discharged from jail.
• You will be allowed to use the phone so you can talk to a family member, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If they expect that you will make bail and be released quickly, you might be allowed to wear your street clothes, if not you will be given a jail uniform.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through processing at jail? If you have, please share your experience. How long did it take? How did the guards treat you? Can you tell us things that could help other people that get arrested to get through jail processing?

Click here to tell your story

When you post bail, you will get discharged from jail. Getting discharged may take anywhere from 10 minutes to all day. In simple terms, the faster you post bail, the faster you will get discharged from jail. How quickly you get discharged will depend on if you have a cash bond amount or if the magistrate must determine the bail amount. For minor offenses, you will be booked and released on your own recognizance. When you have served out your jail sentence and know the date of your release, you should expect to get released anywhere between the hours of 9am and 12pm.

for your arrest, or if you need to start a jail sentence, you really should do the right thing and go down to the jail and turn yourself in. If it is for a warrant, report to the jail intake area, and tell them that you think they might have a warrant for your arrest. They will do a check to find out if there is an arrest warrant for you, and if they verify that you have one, they will take you into custody and begin the intake process. If you are reporting to serve out your sentence, go down to the jail on the date and time that the sentence order states. Make sure that you aren’t late. Only bring necessary items when you go to jail, such as a driver’s license or ID, any prescription medication you might take, along with your doctor’s prescription, as well as a sentencing order from court.

The inmate need to provide each visitor’s name to the jail in advance of the visit. Your visitors will be put in the visitation log as an Authorized visit. Each and every visitor will be required to provide proof of identification. Visitors that arrives for visitation late or any visitors that are not approved to visit will be turned away.
Visitation procedures at Rutherford County Jail change often, so review the official site before you try to go to visitation.

Phone calls that inmates are allowed to make from jail are with a pre-paid phone card or account, or are collect calls . Calls made in jail are usually pricier than phone calls made at home. Inmates are able to make phone calls, with restrictions on how often you can use the phone, but inmates should keep in mind that a long line can form at the phones, because everyone wants to use the phone, too. If you break the rules, your ability to use the phone might get reduced or forbidden.

The Rutherford County Jail phone number is: 828-287-6160

All mall sent to inmates has to be sent using US Postal Service. You shouldn’t use any other form of mail or package delivery. You should write the inmate’s name, inmate ID, and the address of the jail on the letter that you send. Don’t mail a package or box, envelope with padding or insulation, plastic or paper bag, or an envelope with metal in it. All mail is opened and inspected and read by the jail staff, and the mail will get returned to the sender if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

Use this address when sending a letter to someone incarcerated at Rutherford County Jail:

Rutherford County Jail
198 N. Washington St.
Rutherfordton, NC 28139

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Rutherford County Jail
198 N. Washington St.
Rutherfordton, NC 28139

The Rutherford County Jail mail policy changes, so you should visit the official Rutherford County Jail site when send a letter to someone in jail there.

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When you’ve been arrested, you need to be aware that you still have rights, and an important one is that you have the right to request a lawyer. You won’t get many phone calls in jail, so you would be wise to have a friend or family member locate a lawyer for you. You may be thinking ‘but do I really need an attorney’ You’re not required to have an attorney in all cases, a criminal defense attorney will make sure you know your rights, help protect your best interests and show you the way through the legal system in your county. The faster you hire an attorney to represent you and work on your charges, the better your chances.

For more info on the benefits of and how to hire an attorney, read our guide: How to Find an Attorney

If you can’t afford an attorney, you will be assigned a public defender. In addition, the Public Defender Office is staffed by independent investigators, experts in forensics as well as social workers. You will be reassured to know that Public Defenders are real attorneys who are admitted to the State Bar and are fully licensed to handle your case.

Have you or someone you know used a court appointed attorney or Public Defender? Do you think they properly handled your case?

All court records are public and available to anyone who requests them. They contain a court case file with a docket and all of the documents and motions filed in the course of your case. You have the ability to access the records and documents in your court case with the website, or at the Rutherford County Clerk of Court.

The Clerk of Court is a member of the court who manages the records. They also administer the oath for all court participants, and also read the jury’s verdict. All records, documents, and evidence associated with your case are held at the Rutherford County Clerk of Court.

Court fees and costs are the fees and charges associated with your court case, such as for example filing fees, motion fees and various court charges. If you don’t have the money to pay these fees and have a court appointed attorney, you may not have to pay the fees.

The magistrate acts as the judge that will preside on your court case. Magistrate judges do a number of different things, such as setting your bail amount, writing arrest warrants, and presiding over initial court appearances and detention hearings.

A pre-sentencing report is prepared with information about the defendant’s background and details of the arrestee’s life, which the magistrate will take into consideration when deciding on the sentence. Information will be gathered from the person on trial, the defendant’s family, and, if applicable, the victim in the crime. Keep in mind you are allowed to request to receive your own copy of the report before you are sentenced, so you get the chance to correct the mistakes.

If you get convicted of a crime, you will be given a sentence for your crime. The presiding judge in your case will weigh several options when determining your sentence, ranging from community service, house arrest, and probation, to incarceration in jail or prison. Depending on the particulars of your trial, the severity of your crime, and any sentencing guidelines that they judge will use, you might get locked up immediately, or you could be given a date that you are supposed to go to jail to serve out your sentence.

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Do you want to find out if someone is locked up, or has gone to jail in the past?

This is pretty easy to do, simply you need to visit the Rutherford County jail website, and search using:

• Their name.
• Date of birth.
• Their booking date if you know it.
• or inmate ID.

If you think that they are currently in jail, you should call the jail confirm whether they’ve been arrested or not.

If you think you might have a warrant out for your arrest, you can check the arrest warrants inquiry on the website or you are able to call the jail directly. You have to have their first and last name. Or, you can just go the jail in person and ask the officer in charge. Bear in mind that if there is a warrant for your arrest, they will take you into custody immediately.

If you have a first and last name, and their arrest date, contact the Rutherford County jail, by phone, in person, or find out online. An arrest is in the public record and the information is available to anyone.

Civil processes are when you get served with papers, such as warrants. You can find these by getting in touch with the Sheriff’s office, either by phone or through their website.

All registered sex offenders have to be registered and listed on the sex offender databases required by the area they live in. The people on these databases have been tried by jury and convicted in a court of law of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access these offenders on the website, but keep in mind that you will not be able to see the exact address, but rather the address block that they live on.

Court Records are public records. Court Records include a court case file that includes a court docket and all of the documents filed in the court case. You are able to access the court records on their website, or at Clerk of Court in the jurisdiction where the case was filed.

Every state maintains records of people’s criminal history. These online databases are connected so you can track criminal backgrounds from other states. Go to county courthouse and inquire in person, or you can check the website. You must know which county the crime occurred in, and in the event that it was in a completely different state, you might have to pay a fee for a more comprehensive search.

When you look up a person’s criminal records you can get a report detailing any arrests, charges, or convictions that may be on a person’s record for any crimes they may have committed, which could include:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
• Drug crimes like possession or trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Sex offenses which could include rape, and sexual assault.
• Violent crimes.
• Theft, breaking and entering.

When you do a criminal history search, in most cases won’t find if they have had any:

• Speeding tickets.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Traffic accidents.
• Other moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To search for this information, you must do a driving records search.

Have you ever needed to find criminal records? How hard was it? Was your search online or did you have to make a phone call to the jail? Did you get information that was correct? There are many reasons that people look up criminal backgrounds and records, and your feedback may help other people.

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Most Wanted

The FBI has a list of the Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Rutherford County, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department has a list of most wanted criminals, too.

FBI Top Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Just the thought of spending time in the Rutherford County jail is something you wish you could avoid, you will soon settle into the routine that is set for you in jail. You will get an alarm for wake-up every morning at 6am, and next they’ll do roll call. You will then have breakfast. When you finish eating breakfast participate in the work program or other activity that you are assigned. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Rutherford County Jail, your experiences would be welcomed, if it can help another person to deal with it.

Dress Code

When incarcerated, all inmates are expected to wear the Rutherford County Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The process for sending funds to Rutherford County Jail inmates changes, so be sure to review the official Rutherford County Jail site when you send any funds.


Commissary

The commissary is the jail store. You can purchase a number of things here, such as toiletries, snacks and writing supplies. Bear in mind that you will probably want to use the commissary daily, and any infractions will get that privilege taken away from you.

Inmate Medications

If you are on any type of prescription medication, you will be allowed to continue taking it while in jail. When you are first processed, you will be asked what medication you take. You will then be referred to the jail nurse or doctor who will be in charge of monitoring your health and prescribing your medication.

Meals

You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. As expected, they are very basic, but healthy. A typical breakfast might be cereal, toast, coffee and fruit. Lunch might be spaghetti, salad, bread and milk. Dinner could be chicken casserole, rice, vegetables, dessert and milk. Contrary to popular belief, prison food has greatly improved over the years, and you might find that it’s not much different from what you would eat at home.

Pods / The Yard

The jail is designed in a ‘pod’ layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room, and the inmates take turns in using the yard. The jail is designed this way to keep certain inmates together, and others away from the general population.

Gangs

As with life in general, gangs are a part of prison life. Obviously it is best to avoid becoming a part of this environment as it will only lead to trouble. When you first enter prison, you might find yourself being ‘primed’ to join a gang, or worse, you might get their attention in a negative way. The best thing to do is keep your head down and don’t get involved.


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News and Media

News

Photos / Pictures

Videos


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Jobs

Types of Jobs at Rutherford County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Rutherford County Jail, overseeing the day to day operations and administration of the jail. An inmate is unlikely to have much interaction with the Deputy Sheriff, unless they have committed an infraction. Detention Officers are responsible for the custody and care of the inmates. They maintain order in the jail, and handle security. A Detention Officer is assigned to a certain pod, and therefore is responsible for the same inmates each day. They get to know the inmates on a certain level and are well equipped to handle any problems that may occur.

Apply for a Job at Rutherford County Jail

Requirements:

• You have to be over the age of 21.
• You have to possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You have to be a US Citizen.
• You have to pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You have to pass a drug test.
• You have to have a good level of fitness.
• You have to be in good health.
• You have to have a valid Driver’s License
• An applicant for Deputy Sheriff must possess a Law Enforcement Certification.


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Family Resources

There are resources for families of both the perpetrator of the crime and the victim. The social and emotional impact of crime is far reaching, affecting many. Families can receive professional counseling, court related assistance, social services assistance and help in navigating the criminal justice system.

If you are a family member, which resources did you find to be particularly helpful? Please let us know, as this will be helpful to other families in the same situation.

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Victim Resources

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.

Victim’s Rights

The Victim Rights Act grants victims the following rights:

• Victims have the right to protection from the accused.
• Victims have the right to notification.
• Victims have the right to attend proceedings.
• Victims have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• Victims have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• Victims have the right to restitution.
• Victims have the right to a speedy trial.
• Victims have the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

The definition of victim includes:

• Spouses and children of all victims.
• Parents and guardians of minor victims.
• Parents, guardians and siblings of mentally or physically incapacitated victims or victims of homicide.
• Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances.

There are a number of services and programs designed to help victims and their families. You can find out about these services by contacting the courthouse, or local law enforcement agency.

Victim Notification

The Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) is a system that provides victims with information pertaining to their case and/or any defendants in the case. You will receive a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will allow you to access VNS via the internet or by phone. Here, you will find information about future court hearings, historical court events, and detailed information about the defendant. This will include criminal charges filed, the outcome of charges, sentence imposed, custody location, projected release date and any other release information. The VNS website is updated daily. You will also receive any ongoing information by mail or email.

Have you, a family member or friend ever used the Victim Notification System? If so, was it effective? Did you get the information in a timely manner? Was the system difficult to use? We would like to hear from you, so please post any comments here.

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Sex Offender Information and Search

All people registered as sex offenders are registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not get the exact address, rather the block that they live on.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are services to help you. Your county will have a Domestic Violence Services office. They provide free and confidential services, such as emergency shelter information, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. They will work to help you create a safe and violence-free life, and heal from the trauma of abuse.

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever been locked up in Rutherford County Jail? Do you have a family member or friend that is an inmate there? Have you ever been to visit a prisoner there?

If your answer is yes, then we would like you to write a review about it. Write down your experience so that others can learn what to expect.

Things you can write in the review:

• Conditions at the jail.
• Jail layout and facility
• Guards and jail staff
• Jail food and commissary
• Visitation
• Other Inmates.
• Safety
• Gangs
• Programs and activities


Click here to write your review

Tell Your Story

Everyone’s who has been put in jail has some stories to tell about the whole experience. Why’d you end up in jail? Were you fairly treated? What was your daily routine in jail? How did you get along with the other inmates? How has this experience impacted your life?

Click here to tell your story about Rutherford County Jail

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you make friends in jail? Trying to find out how to get in touch with somebody you met when you were locked up? Say hello here, just leave a message below.

Send a message to people incarcerated at Rutherford County Jail


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