Find Rocky Mount Criminal Court Records
Rocky Mount criminal court records are filed in two counties. The city sits on the border of Nash County and Edgecombe County. Most of Rocky Mount is in Nash County. Criminal cases from the city go through whichever county has jurisdiction based on where the arrest took place. Rocky Mount does not have its own criminal court. You can search for records online with the NC eCourts portal or at either county courthouse. This page explains how to find criminal court records from Rocky Mount.
Rocky Mount Quick Facts
Rocky Mount Criminal Court Records Cases
Most of Rocky Mount is in Nash County. Criminal charges from the Nash County side go through the Nash County Clerk of Superior Court. The courthouse is in Nashville, about 10 miles west of Rocky Mount. Nash County also has a magistrate office in Rocky Mount for initial appearances and warrants.
District Court handles misdemeanors without a jury. Superior Court handles felonies with a jury of 12. All records from these cases are kept by the Nash County clerk. The courthouse hours are Monday through Friday, but note that the clerk's office closes from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM for lunch on most days.
| Court | Nash County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 W. Margaret Street Nashville, NC 27856 |
| Phone | (252) 220-3000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/nash-county |
The Rocky Mount magistrate office is at (252) 212-3119. This office handles after-hours matters for Rocky Mount arrests on the Nash County side.
Rocky Mount Cases in Edgecombe County
The southern and eastern parts of Rocky Mount are in Edgecombe County. Criminal cases from that side of the city go through the Edgecombe County Clerk of Superior Court. The main courthouse is in Tarboro at 301 S. St. Andrew Street. A judicial center in Rocky Mount also serves Edgecombe County cases.
The Edgecombe County clerk can be reached at (252) 823-3000. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. When searching for Rocky Mount criminal court records, always check both Nash County and Edgecombe County if you are not sure where the arrest happened.
Note: The NC eCourts portal lets you search both counties from the same screen, making it simple to cover all Rocky Mount cases.
Search Rocky Mount Criminal Court Records
The NC eCourts Portal is the most convenient tool. It is free. No sign-up is needed. Search by name, case number, or citation. Select Nash County or Edgecombe County as the location. The portal shows charges, court dates, and case outcomes.
Both courthouses have self-service terminals for free public searches. You can look up cases by defendant name or case number. Staff can pull paper files. Copies are $2.00 for the first page and $0.25 per page after that. Certified copies are $3.00.
For a certified criminal record check, fill out Form AOC-CR-314. Submit it with $25 to either the Nash County or Edgecombe County clerk. If you need a check from both counties, you will need to submit the form and fee to each one. The NC Courts background check page explains the full process.
Superior Court handles all felony cases in both Nash County and Edgecombe County. Records from these trials are public under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132.
Rocky Mount Criminal Court Records Sources
The Rocky Mount Police Department is at 330 N. Franklin Street. The records division line is (252) 972-1420. Non-emergency calls go to (252) 972-1411. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Police records cover arrests and incidents. Court records are separate and track the legal case from charge to outcome. For the court file on a Rocky Mount case, contact the clerk in Nash County or Edgecombe County. For a police report, contact the Rocky Mount Police Department.
Statewide Criminal Record Searches
The NC State Bureau of Investigation holds the central criminal records database for North Carolina. A state fingerprint check costs $14. A national FBI check costs $18. These go beyond what a single county search provides. The SBI has records dating back to 1937.
The NC Department of Adult Correction offender search covers state prison inmates, probationers, and parolees. It does not include inmates at the Nash County or Edgecombe County jails. The system has data going back to 1972.
The Nash County Sheriff can be reached at (252) 459-4121. They manage the detention center at (252) 459-4125. The sheriff handles inmate searches and fingerprinting for Nash County.
Restricted Criminal Records in Rocky Mount
Some Rocky Mount criminal court records are not public. Juvenile cases are sealed under N.C.G.S. 7B-3000. Expunged records are fully removed from public view. Grand jury proceedings are secret under G.S. 15A-623. Active law enforcement files are exempt under G.S. 132-1.4.
Sealed records will not show on the eCourts portal or on courthouse terminals. Neither the Nash County clerk nor the Edgecombe County clerk can release these records. If you cannot find a specific Rocky Mount criminal court record, the case may have been sealed or expunged. Contact the clerk in the right county to verify.
Rocky Mount sits in eastern North Carolina at the crossroads of US 64 and I-95. The city has roots going back to the 1800s. Historical court records from that era may be at the NC State Archives in Raleigh. Modern records are at the Nash County and Edgecombe County courthouses.
Rocky Mount Criminal Court Records Fees
Both Nash County and Edgecombe County charge the same state-set fees for court records.
- Certified criminal record check: $25 per name
- Uncertified copy: $2.00 first page, $0.25 each added page
- Certified copy: $3.00 per document
- Exemplified copy: $10.00
- Self-service terminal search: free
Call Nash County at (252) 220-3000 or Edgecombe County at (252) 823-3000 to confirm fees. The eCourts portal accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover for online payments on eligible Rocky Mount cases.
Nash County Criminal Court Records
Most of Rocky Mount is in Nash County. The majority of criminal court records from the city are filed there. For a full overview of Nash County court services, the sheriff, and related resources, visit the Nash County page.