Durham County Criminal Court Records

Durham County criminal court records are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court in downtown Durham. As part of Judicial District 14, Durham County processes thousands of criminal cases each year. You can search for criminal records online through the eCourts Portal or visit the courthouse in person. The clerk's office holds records for felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses. Durham County makes most criminal court records available to the public. Use the tools on this page to begin your search.

Durham County Criminal Court Clerk

The Durham County Clerk of Superior Court is the official keeper of all criminal court records. The clerk's office is at 510 S. Dillard Street in Durham. Aminah M. Thompson serves as the current Clerk of Superior Court. You can reach the office by phone at (919) 808-3000.

The Durham County clerk handles a wide range of court matters. Criminal cases, civil cases, estates, and juvenile matters all go through this office. For criminal records, the clerk stores case files that include charges, court dates, pleas, and judgments. You can view these records at the Durham County criminal and traffic page or in person at the courthouse. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Durham County has eCourts kiosks at the courthouse. These kiosks have scanners, printers, and payment services for the public. They help people file documents and look up case details without waiting in line.

Note: Uncertified copies cost $2 for the first page and $0.25 for each added page at the Durham County clerk's office.

Search Durham Criminal Court Records

Durham County criminal court records are available through the NC eCourts Portal. This free tool lets you search by party name, case number, or citation number. You do not need to create an account for basic searches. The portal shows case status, charges, court dates, and related documents for Durham County cases.

You can also use the self-service terminals at the Durham County Courthouse. These terminals are in the clerk's office. Search by defendant name, case number, or victim name. Staff can help you if you have questions about how to use the system. The terminals show the same data as the online portal but give you access to print documents on site. For a broader view of criminal history, the NC Department of Adult Correction offers an offender search tool with records going back to 1972.

Durham County Criminal Court Records Info

The North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a dedicated page for Durham County courts. Visit the Durham County NC Courts page for court calendars, local rules, and contact details.

Durham County also has a Family Court Administration program. The Guardian ad Litem program operates in this county as well. Criminal and civil calendars are posted online for public review.

Criminal Record Types in Durham County

Durham County processes several types of criminal cases. Each type creates its own set of records at the courthouse.

Felony cases are heard in Superior Court. These include serious crimes such as murder, robbery, drug trafficking, and burglary. A 12-person jury decides guilt in felony trials when the defendant pleads not guilty. Felony records in Durham County include grand jury indictments, arraignment orders, trial transcripts, and sentencing documents. Appeals from District Court also go to Superior Court in Durham County.

Misdemeanor cases are heard in District Court. These cover less serious charges like simple assault, shoplifting, DWI, and disorderly conduct. A judge decides these cases without a jury. Traffic cases and infractions also go through District Court. Durham County criminal court records for all these case types are stored at the clerk's office and available through online search tools.

• Felony case records in Superior Court
• Misdemeanor case records in District Court
• Traffic and DWI court records
• Infraction records
• Appeal cases from District to Superior Court

Note: Juvenile court records in Durham County are confidential under N.C.G.S. 7B-3000 and are not available to the public.

Durham County Criminal Court Records Checks

A certified criminal background check costs $25 at the Durham County Clerk of Superior Court. You must fill out Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it with payment. The clerk runs a name-based search of criminal records on file in the county. Results can be picked up in person or mailed to you.

For a statewide check, the NC State Bureau of Investigation is the central repository for criminal information. The SBI offers fingerprint-based checks that are more accurate than name-based searches. The Durham County Sheriff's Office at (919) 560-0890 can provide local arrest records. The Durham Police Department at (919) 560-4600 handles incident reports for the city of Durham.

Criminal Record Expunction in Durham

North Carolina law allows some criminal records to be expunged. This means the record is erased from public view. If you have a case in Durham County that qualifies, you can file for expunction through the clerk's office. Not all cases are eligible.

Cases that may qualify include dismissed charges, not guilty verdicts, and certain first-time offenses. The process takes time. You must file a petition with the court in Durham County. A judge reviews the request and makes a decision. Once expunged, the record will not show up in searches at the Durham County clerk's office or on the eCourts Portal. The NC Courts background check page has more details on what shows in a certified search.

Under G.S. Chapter 132, criminal court records in Durham County are public unless sealed or expunged. The NC Sex Offender Registry is another resource for Durham County searches. Maintained by the SBI under G.S. 14-208.5, it tracks people convicted of sex offenses who must register with law enforcement. You can search by name or address for offenders near any location in Durham County. The Remote Public Access Program provides licensed statewide data access for organizations that run frequent criminal record searches across all 100 counties.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Durham County. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the offense took place. Make sure you search the right county for the records you need.