Charlotte Criminal Court Records

Charlotte criminal court records are kept at the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court. Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina with close to 900,000 residents. The city does not have its own criminal court. All criminal cases from Charlotte go through Mecklenburg County courts. You can search these records in person at the courthouse or use the state eCourts portal to find case data for Charlotte criminal court records.

Charlotte Criminal Court Records Cases

Charlotte does not run its own criminal court. North Carolina handles all criminal cases at the county level. This means that any crime in Charlotte goes to the Mecklenburg County court system. Felonies are heard in Superior Court. Misdemeanors go to District Court. Both courts sit at the same courthouse in uptown Charlotte.

The Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court keeps all criminal case files. This office stores records for every charge filed in the county. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. You can visit the clerk's office to view files in person at no cost using a public access terminal. If you need a certified copy, the fee is $25 per name searched. The office is at 832 East 4th Street in Charlotte.

The courthouse is in uptown Charlotte near the Charlotte Transportation Center. CATS bus and LYNX light rail serve the area. Paid parking is at nearby garages and meters. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Security screens all who enter.

Search Charlotte Criminal Court Records

You can search Charlotte criminal court records online or in person. Online searches work well for basic case data like names, dates, and case status. In-person visits let you view the full case file and get copies the same day.

The North Carolina eCourts portal covers all of Mecklenburg County. You can search by party name, case number, or citation number. The system is free for basic case data. It shows party names, filing dates, charges, and case status. For copies of actual documents from Charlotte criminal court records, contact the clerk or go to the courthouse. The portal is available all day, every day.

To search criminal court records in Charlotte, you need:

• Full name of the person charged
• Case number if you have it
• The county where the case was filed
• Date range if you want to narrow results

You can also use the public access terminals at the clerk's office. These are free. Staff can help you find what you need. If you want a certified criminal record check, fill out Form AOC-CR-314 and pay the $25 fee. This form is used statewide for Charlotte and all other NC courts.

Note: The eCourts portal shows cases filed after October 9, 2023 in most counties, while older Charlotte criminal court records may need an in-person visit.

Criminal Record Types in Charlotte

Charlotte criminal court records cover a wide range of case types. The Mecklenburg County court system handles both felony and misdemeanor cases. Each type goes to a different court level, but all records are stored by the same clerk's office.

Felony cases in Charlotte go to Superior Court. These include serious crimes like assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, and drug trafficking. A grand jury must indict the defendant before a felony trial can start. The trial uses a 12-person jury if the defendant pleads not guilty. Superior Court records in Charlotte include indictments, motions, trial transcripts, and judgments. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 15A, these are part of the public record.

Misdemeanor cases go to District Court. These are less serious crimes like simple assault, shoplifting, and DWI. District Court does not use a jury. A judge decides the case. If convicted, the defendant can appeal to Superior Court for a new trial with a jury. Charlotte misdemeanor records include citations, arrest warrants, and court orders.

Note: Juvenile cases, sealed records, and expunged records are not available to the public under North Carolina law.

Charlotte Criminal Court Records Sources

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department handles law enforcement for the city. CMPD makes arrests and files charges. But the court records are kept by the county. If you need an arrest report or incident report, contact CMPD directly. For court case files, go to the Mecklenburg County clerk.

CMPD headquarters is at 601 East Trade Street in Charlotte. The Records Division phone number is (704) 336-2324. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can request arrest reports and incident reports from this office. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department also provides crime data and mapping tools on its site.

The Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office at (704) 686-0700 prosecutes all criminal cases from Charlotte. The DA's office is at 832 East 4th Street, the same building as the clerk. Victim services are available through the DA's office as well.

Mecklenburg County Criminal Court Resources

Several agencies play a role in Charlotte criminal court records. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office handles warrants, civil process, and the county jail. You can reach them at (704) 336-2543. For warrant questions, call (704) 336-2828. The sheriff's office is at 700 East 4th Street in Charlotte.

The NC Courts criminal background check system lets you search records at any courthouse in the state. In Charlotte, you can use the public access terminals at the Mecklenburg County clerk's office for free. These terminals let you look up criminal cases by defendant name or case number. You can print results for a small fee.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation also keeps criminal records. The SBI background check system is fingerprint-based and costs $14 for a state check. The SBI has maintained criminal records since 1937. For Charlotte cases, the county clerk remains the best starting point for court records.

Restricted Charlotte Criminal Court Records

Not all criminal court records in Charlotte are open to the public. North Carolina law restricts access to certain types of cases. Courts seal some files by judicial order. Other records are confidential by statute.

Records you cannot access in Charlotte include:

• Juvenile court records under N.C.G.S. 7B-3000
• Expunged criminal records
• Sealed cases by court order
• Grand jury proceedings under G.S. 15A-623
• Active law enforcement investigation files

If a Charlotte criminal record has been expunged, it is removed from public view. The person can legally deny the charge ever existed. The NC Courts obtaining records page has more details on what is and is not available to the public.

State Tools for Charlotte Criminal Records

North Carolina offers several state-level tools that cover Charlotte. The NC Department of Adult Correction runs an offender search tool. It covers state prison inmates, probationers, and parolees. It does not include county jail data. Records go back to 1972.

The NC Sex Offender Registry is run by the SBI. You can search it by name, county, or address. This tool shows registered sex offenders in Charlotte and all of Mecklenburg County. It is free. You can sign up for email alerts when an offender moves into your area.

For older court records from Charlotte, the NC State Archives in Raleigh holds historical court documents. Most records from the 1800s are stored there. You can view microfilm copies at the archives building at 109 East Jones Street in Raleigh.

Note: State prison records do not include people held in the Mecklenburg County jail, so check with the sheriff's office for local detention data.

Mecklenburg County Criminal Court Records

Charlotte is in Mecklenburg County. All criminal filings go through the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court. The county court handles cases for Charlotte and every other city in the county. For the full county court guide, fee schedule, and more resources, visit the Mecklenburg County criminal court records page.

View Mecklenburg County Criminal Court Records