Wilmington Criminal Court Records
Wilmington criminal court records are filed at the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court. Wilmington is the largest city on the North Carolina coast with about 125,000 people. The city does not have a criminal court. All criminal cases from Wilmington go through New Hanover County courts at the courthouse on Princess Street. You can search Wilmington criminal court records online through the state portal or visit the clerk in person.
Wilmington Quick Facts
Wilmington Criminal Court Records
Wilmington does not operate a criminal court. North Carolina handles all criminal cases at the county level. Every arrest in Wilmington leads to a case in the New Hanover County court system. Felonies go to Superior Court. Misdemeanors are tried in District Court. Both courts are at the New Hanover County Courthouse.
The New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court maintains all criminal records for Wilmington. The office is at 316 Princess Street. The main phone is (910) 772-6600. Criminal magistrates can be reached at (910) 772-6619. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Public access terminals are available for free case searches. Certified criminal record checks cost $25 per name.
| Court | New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 316 Princess Street Wilmington, NC 28401 |
| Phone | (910) 772-6600 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/new-hanover-county |
The courthouse has handicap parking at the rear of the building with wheelchair access. The mailing address is PO Box 2023, Wilmington, NC 28402. Security screens all visitors. Bring a valid photo ID when you go. Avoid large bags to speed up the screening process.
Search Wilmington Criminal Court Records
You have two main ways to search Wilmington criminal court records. Use the online portal or go to the courthouse.
The NC eCourts portal covers New Hanover County. It is free and available all day. Search by name, case number, or citation number. The portal shows charges, court dates, and case status. No sign-up is needed. Cases filed after October 2023 are generally available. Older Wilmington criminal court records may require a trip to the clerk's office or a mail request.
At the courthouse, use the free self-service terminals. Staff can help with your search. You can view full case files in person. For copies, ask at the counter. A certified criminal record check requires Form AOC-CR-314 and a $25 fee.
Note: New Hanover County also offers custody mediation and other court services at the same location that handles Wilmington criminal court records.
Wilmington Criminal Court Records Sources
The Wilmington Police Department investigates crimes and makes arrests. Police records are different from court records. Arrest and incident reports come from WPD. Court case files come from the New Hanover County clerk.
WPD is at 615 Bess Street in Wilmington. The Records Division phone is (910) 341-7785. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can get police reports in person. Online crime mapping is on the WPD site. Accident reports are available online as well.
The NC Courts website shown above is the main gateway for accessing Wilmington criminal court records and court information across all 100 North Carolina counties.
New Hanover County Criminal Resources
The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office handles the county jail, warrants, and court security for Wilmington. The main phone is (910) 798-4200. The detention center is at (910) 798-4161. Civil process is at (910) 798-4230. An online inmate search is available through the sheriff's website.
The New Hanover County District Attorney prosecutes all criminal cases from Wilmington. The DA's office is at (910) 772-6610. Victim and witness services, custody mediation, and court-ordered arbitration are all available through the courthouse. The NC SBI maintains statewide criminal records. A state fingerprint check is $14.
The NC Department of Adult Correction offender search tool covers state inmates and people on probation or parole. It does not include New Hanover County jail data. The NC Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered offenders near Wilmington.
For historical Wilmington criminal court records, the NC State Archives at 109 East Jones Street in Raleigh holds court documents from the 1800s on microfilm. Wilmington is one of the oldest port cities in North Carolina. Many early court records survive at the state archives. Phone is (919) 814-6840.
Note: The New Hanover County Sheriff provides fingerprinting services at (910) 798-4210 for those who need an SBI background check processed.
Criminal Case Types in Wilmington
Wilmington criminal court records cover felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Felonies go to Superior Court with a 12-person jury. These include serious crimes like robbery, drug trafficking, and assault with a deadly weapon. A grand jury must return an indictment before a felony case goes to trial in New Hanover County.
Misdemeanors are heard in District Court. A judge decides with no jury. Common misdemeanors in Wilmington include DWI, simple assault, and shoplifting. If convicted, the defendant can appeal to Superior Court for a new trial. Infractions like speeding tickets are also on file at the clerk's office. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, most of these records are public.
Wilmington's coastal location brings seasonal changes in case volume. The court system in New Hanover County handles cases from the city and surrounding beach communities year-round.
Restricted Wilmington Criminal Records
Some Wilmington criminal court records cannot be viewed. Juvenile records are sealed. Expunged cases are removed from public view. Grand jury proceedings are secret. Sealed records need a court order to open.
North Carolina allows expungement of certain criminal records. Once a case is expunged in Wilmington, it does not show in any search. The person can deny the event. Check NC Courts obtaining records for more details on what is available and what is restricted.
Note: Presentence reports and mental health proceedings are also confidential and will not appear in Wilmington criminal court record searches.
New Hanover County Criminal Court Records
Wilmington is the county seat of New Hanover County. All criminal filings from the city go through the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court. For the complete county guide with more details, fees, and resources, visit the New Hanover County page.