Beaufort County Criminal Court Records

Beaufort County criminal court records are on file at the Clerk of Superior Court in Washington, North Carolina. The county is part of Judicial District 2 for all court matters. You can search criminal records online through the NC eCourts Portal or visit the courthouse in downtown Washington. The clerk handles records for felony, misdemeanor, and infraction cases filed in Beaufort County. Located in the eastern part of the state along the Pamlico River, Beaufort County serves all residents and communities through its single courthouse location.

Beaufort Criminal Court Records Clerk

The Beaufort County Courthouse is at 112 W. 2nd Street in Washington. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all criminal court records for the county. Staff can help you search for cases, pull paper files, and provide copies. Call (252) 946-5182 for questions about records or court services.

The clerk office has public access terminals for free case searches. You can look up a criminal case by name or case number at these stations. For printed copies, there is a per-page fee. A certified criminal record search costs $25 using Form AOC-CR-314. This fee is set by G.S. 7A-308(a)(17). Beaufort County criminal and civil calendars are posted through the NC Courts Beaufort County page. The page also has contact details, local rules, and payment information for fines.

How to Search Beaufort County Criminal Records

Start with the NC eCourts Portal for an online search. It is free and covers all 100 counties. You can search by party name, case number, or citation. Results show case details, charges, and court dates for Beaufort County cases.

An in-person visit to the Beaufort County clerk office gives you full access to paper files. Bring your ID. Staff can search by name or case number and pull the file for you to review. Copy fees apply. For a certified search, submit Form AOC-CR-314 with the $25 fee. Mail requests are accepted too. Send your completed form and payment to the clerk at 112 W. 2nd Street, Washington, NC 27889.

The NC Courts criminal background check page explains how the certified search works. Non-certified searches are free at the courthouse terminals.

Note: The eCourts Portal does not include sealed cases, juvenile records, or unserved warrants from Beaufort County.

Beaufort Criminal Court Records Resources

The official Beaufort County court page at nccourts.gov provides court contacts, calendar information, and links to forms.

This is the primary online resource for criminal court information in Beaufort County. Calendars for criminal and civil sessions are posted here along with jury service details.

Criminal Cases Filed in Beaufort County

Beaufort County courts hear both felony and misdemeanor criminal cases. Superior Court handles felonies under District 2. These include serious charges like assault with a deadly weapon, drug trafficking, and robbery. Misdemeanors go to District Court. Common misdemeanor charges include DWI, simple assault, and trespassing.

A criminal case file in Beaufort County typically holds these types of documents:

• Arrest warrant or criminal summons
• Indictment or information
• Motions from the defense and state
• Plea agreement if one was reached
• Final judgment and sentencing order

Under the North Carolina Public Records Act, G.S. Chapter 132, most of these documents are public. Anyone can request to view them at the clerk office. Juvenile records and sealed files are not available for public review in Beaufort County.

Beaufort County Law Enforcement and DA

The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office is at 2100 North Main Street in Washington. Call (252) 946-7111 for general information. The sheriff serves warrants, handles arrests, and operates the county jail. Records from these activities feed into the criminal court system in Beaufort County.

The District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 2 handles all criminal prosecutions in Beaufort County. Call (252) 946-6117 for the DA office. The DA decides which charges to bring, negotiates plea deals, and tries cases in court. Both the DA and the clerk can update you on the status of a criminal case in Beaufort County.

For broader searches, the NC State Bureau of Investigation runs background checks statewide. The NC Department of Adult Correction offender search covers prison records going back to 1972. The NC Sex Offender Registry is free and searchable by name or address.

Note: Police reports and incident records are held by the arresting agency, not the clerk office in Beaufort County.

Beaufort Criminal Court Records Copies

You can get copies of criminal court records from the Beaufort County clerk office in several ways. In person, staff will pull the file and copy what you need. By mail, send a written request with the defendant name, case number if known, and payment. The NC Courts public records request form can be used for formal requests.

Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and signature. They cost more than plain copies. Most people need certified copies for legal purposes. Plain copies work for personal reference. Under G.S. 7A-109, the clerk has authority to charge fees for these services. The obtaining court records page on nccourts.gov explains each option in detail.

State Criminal Court Records Tools

The Remote Public Access Program gives licensed users access to criminal and civil court data across all 100 counties, including Beaufort County. This paid program is authorized under G.S. 7A-109(d) and G.S. 7A-343.2. It suits organizations that need regular access to court data.

The North Carolina State Archives holds historical court records from counties across the state. Older criminal files from Beaufort County may be stored there on microfilm. The archives are at 109 East Jones Street in Raleigh. Call (919) 814-6840 for research help. Beaufort County has a long history, so the archives may have records going back to the 1700s.

The criminal record search form AOC-CR-314 is available as a PDF from the NC Courts website. Print and complete this form before visiting the Beaufort County clerk office. It will save you time when you arrive. Each additional copy of the same search costs $15 when ordered at the same time as the original.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Beaufort County in eastern North Carolina. Criminal records are filed in the county where the offense occurred.