• administration
• animal control
• civil process
• communications
• court security
• crime prevention/crime awareness
• crime stoppers
• detention center
• investigations
• patrol
• personnel
• public information officer
• sex offender registry
• warrants
• annual report (PDF)

• Governing
• Departments
• Sheriff's Office
• Civil Process

Search:

Capt. David Sharpton
(828) 250-4694

The sheriff shares criminal processes with other law enforcement agencies within the county, such as the Asheville Police Department. But as stated in North Carolina General Statute 1A-1, Rule 4, civil process for the entire county is the responsibility of the sheriff. No other law enforcement agency can do this. The sheriff and his deputies are the only law enforcement officers in the county that have the authority to serve a court-issued paper. Civil Process is the final leg of operations that the sheriff is required by law to have.

Civil Process serves civil processes issued by the court system. Civil refers to such things as lawsuits, divorces, subpoenas for court, child support, judgments, Small Claims court, etc. Most often the court issues a paper, and civil process deputies serve the paper to the named person(s). The paper often tells the named person(s) a court date or an action that must be taken.

Civil Process Job Descriptions

One Captain: The Captain oversees the operation of the Civil Process Division, makes all final decisions, and handles administrative tasks.

One Lieutenant: The Lieutenant oversees daily operations and assists the Captain in the administrative duties.

Two Sergeants: The Sergeant oversees any problems that arise in day-to-day operations, and reports to the Captain.

Three IV-D Deputies: The IV-D deputies work in harmony with the Buncombe County Child Support Agency in serving various child support papers (or IV-D papers), and report any problems to the Sergeant.

Two Execution Deputies: The execution deputies work exclusively on executions, attachments, and claim and deliveries, and report any problems to the Sergeant.

Seven Civil Deputies: The civil deputies work an assigned area of Buncombe County, serving various court assigned papers, and report problems to the Sergeant.

Two Clerical Staff: The clerical staff is responsible for handling monies received, entering papers into the computer, updating the status of papers, answering the telephone, forwarding telephone messages via the two-way radio, and running statistical reports.

Warrant Squad

A Sergeant leads the Warrant Squad. This squad works closely with the criminal justice system in regard to the service of criminal warrants and orders for arrest. They also track, apprehend, and transport local fugitives from other judicial districts and states.

Civil Paper Examples

• Subpoenas
  
• Writs
  
• Executions
  
• Show Cause orders
  
• 50-B orders
  
• Ex-parte orders
  
• Civil orders for arrest
  
• Child Custody orders

The Civil Process Division works with the court system in carrying out civil orders. The sheriff is exclusive to this responsibility. Any questions pertaining to a civil matter can be directed to:

Civil Process Division
(828) 250-4410

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday
0830 to 1700 hours (excluding holidays)