Cary Criminal Court Records Lookup
Cary criminal court records are processed through the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court. Cary is one of the largest towns in North Carolina with over 175,000 residents. The town sits mainly in Wake County with a small part in Chatham County. Cary does not have a criminal court. All criminal charges go through county courts. You can search Cary criminal court records online through the eCourts portal or at the Wake County Justice Center in Raleigh.
Cary Quick Facts
Cary Criminal Court Records Cases
Cary has no criminal court. In North Carolina, all criminal cases are handled at the county level. Most of Cary is in Wake County. A small section falls in Chatham County. Where the crime took place decides which county court gets the case.
The Wake County Clerk of Superior Court handles most Cary criminal court records. The Justice Center is at 300 South Salisbury Street in Raleigh. Phone is (919) 792-4000. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Public access terminals are free. A certified criminal record check costs $25 per name.
| Primary Court | Wake County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 S. Salisbury Street Raleigh, NC 27601 |
| Phone | (919) 792-4000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/wake-county |
For crimes that occur in the Chatham County part of Cary, records go to the Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court. That office is at 12 East Street in Pittsboro. Phone is (919) 545-3500. Most Cary cases go through Wake County.
Note: If you are unsure which county court holds a Cary case, search both Wake and Chatham counties on the eCourts portal.
Search Cary Criminal Court Records
The NC eCourts portal is the best starting point. It is free. Search by name, case number, or citation. The portal covers Wake County and all 100 NC counties. You can check both Wake and Chatham counties in a single session. No account needed.
For in-person access, go to the Wake County Justice Center in Raleigh. Use the free public terminals in the clerk's office. Staff can help with your search. You can view full case files and get copies. For a certified criminal record search, fill out Form AOC-CR-314 and pay $25.
You can request records by mail too. Send the completed form and payment to the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court. Allow extra time for mail processing. Results cover all criminal cases on file in that county.
Cary Criminal Court Records Sources
The Cary Police Department handles law enforcement in town. CPD makes arrests and files reports. Court records go to the county. If you need a police report, contact CPD. For court files, go to the county clerk.
Cary Police headquarters is at 120 Wilkinson Avenue. Phone is (919) 469-4012. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can request arrest and incident reports from the Records Division. Online crime reporting is available for certain types of incidents. The Town of Cary clerk's office at (919) 469-4005 handles other public records requests.
The NC Superior Court page shown above explains how felony criminal court records from Cary are handled at the county level, including jury trials and sentencing procedures.
Wake County Criminal Justice Resources for Cary
The Wake County Sheriff's Office handles warrants, the county jail, and court security. The main office is at 330 South Salisbury Street in Raleigh. Phone is (919) 856-6900. Inmate information is at (919) 773-4170. The sheriff's office has an online inmate search.
The Wake County District Attorney is in Prosecutorial District 10. Phone is (919) 792-5000. The DA prosecutes all criminal cases from Cary. Victim witness services are at (919) 792-5100. The DA's office runs diversion programs that may keep some charges off a person's criminal court record.
The NC SBI holds statewide criminal data. A state fingerprint check costs $14. The NC Department of Adult Correction offender search covers state prison inmates and those on probation or parole.
Note: The Wake County court system is one of the busiest in the state, handling cases from Cary, Raleigh, Apex, and many other towns.
Criminal Case Types Filed in Cary
Cary criminal court records include felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Felonies are the most serious. They go to Superior Court in Wake County. A grand jury must indict the defendant. Trials use a 12-person jury. Felony records include indictments, motions, plea deals, and final judgments.
Misdemeanors are heard in District Court. A judge decides. No jury at this level. Common misdemeanors in Cary include DWI, simple assault, and petty theft. If convicted, the person can appeal to Superior Court for a new jury trial. Misdemeanor records include arrest warrants, citations, and court orders.
Infractions are also part of the court record. These include traffic tickets and other minor violations. They carry no jail time. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, most of these records are open to the public and can be accessed at the Wake County courthouse or online.
Cary Criminal Court Records Tools
The NC Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered offenders near Cary. It is free. Search by name, address, or county. The NC State Archives in Raleigh holds historical court documents from the 1800s. For modern Cary cases, the Wake County clerk is the best resource.
Restricted Criminal Records in Cary
Some Cary criminal court records are sealed or restricted. Juvenile cases are not public. Expunged records are gone. Grand jury records are secret. Active police investigation files are also restricted.
If a Cary criminal case was expunged, it will not show in any search. The person may deny the charge. Visit NC Courts obtaining records for the full list of public and restricted record types in North Carolina.
Wake County Criminal Court Records
Cary is primarily in Wake County. Most criminal cases from the town are filed at the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court in Raleigh. The county court handles cases from Cary, Raleigh, Apex, and other Wake County towns. For the full county guide and resources, visit the Wake County page.