Martin County Criminal Court Records

Martin County criminal court records are filed at the courthouse in Williamston, North Carolina. The Clerk of Superior Court is the custodian of all criminal case documents in the county. Martin County is a rural area in the inner coastal plain of eastern North Carolina. You can search for criminal records here through the NC eCourts portal or at the clerk office in Williamston. All criminal filings from communities across Martin County come through this one courthouse. Records are open to the public.

Martin County Criminal Court Records Clerk

The clerk office in Williamston manages every criminal court record in Martin County. This includes case filings, court orders, and sentencing documents. Staff can search for cases and make copies for you. The office is your first stop for criminal records.

Martin County is part of Judicial District 6. The courthouse in Williamston serves the whole county. Towns like Robersonville, Oak City, and Jamesville all have their criminal cases filed here. The Martin County NC Courts page has the current address, phone, and office hours. Criminal court calendars are also posted on the NC Courts site so you can check upcoming hearing dates in Martin County.

Search Martin County Criminal Cases Online

The fastest way to find a criminal case in Martin County is the NC eCourts portal. This free tool covers all 100 counties. Enter a name, case number, or citation number to search. Results show charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes for Martin County criminal matters.

You do not need an account. The portal is open at all hours. It gives basic case data but does not display every document in the file. For a complete view, contact the clerk office or visit in person. Sealed records, juvenile cases, and unreturned warrants do not appear in portal results.

Note: The eCourts portal is run by the NC Administrative Office of the Courts and is the same system used statewide.

Visiting the Martin County Courthouse

At the courthouse in Williamston, you can use public terminals to search criminal cases. These are in the clerk office and free to use. If you need the paper file, ask the staff. They will pull it for you. You can look through all public documents at the counter.

Copies are $2.00 for the first page and $0.25 after that. Certified copies cost $3.00. For a certified criminal record check, complete Form AOC-CR-314 and pay $25. This search covers all of North Carolina, not just Martin County. You can file the form in person or mail it with your payment.

Older records from Martin County may take longer to locate. Call the clerk before your visit if you need a case from many years ago.

Public Access to Martin County Criminal Records

North Carolina law makes most criminal court records public. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, anyone can ask to see criminal case files in Martin County. You do not have to be a party to the case. You do not need to give a reason for your request.

Some records are restricted. Juvenile cases are confidential. Sealed and expunged records are not available. Mental health proceedings and certain protective orders are also off limits. All other criminal records in Martin County are open to the public. The NC Courts help page explains the full process for accessing records.

Criminal Court Records in Martin County

Martin County has two levels of criminal court. Superior Court hears felony cases. These are serious charges such as drug trafficking, robbery, and assault. A jury of 12 decides the case when the defendant pleads not guilty. District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and minor infractions. A single judge rules on these cases.

Appeals from district court go to superior court for a fresh trial with a jury. Magistrates in Martin County are available around the clock to issue warrants, set bail, and accept guilty pleas for low-level offenses. All of these court actions create records that the clerk office in Williamston stores and manages.

Criminal Court Records Search Tools

Beyond the Martin County courthouse, several state databases can help with criminal record searches. The NC Department of Adult Correction maintains a free offender search tool. It covers state prison inmates, probationers, and parolees with data going back to 1972. It does not include county jail records.

The NC Sex Offender Registry allows you to search for registered offenders in Martin County by name or location. Email alerts are available. The Remote Public Access Program provides paid bulk access to criminal and civil data for all counties. This service is meant for businesses and organizations that need frequent access to court records.

Note: Name-based searches are less reliable than fingerprint-based checks, according to the NC State Bureau of Investigation.

Martin County Criminal Court Records Fees

Fees for criminal records in Martin County follow the standard North Carolina schedule. A certified criminal record check costs $25. This fee is set by state law and applies in all 100 counties. You need to fill out Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it with payment to the clerk office. Standard copies of court documents cost $2.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each page after that. Certified copies are $3.00 each.

The clerk office in Williamston accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Call to verify if they take credit or debit cards. For mail requests, include your completed form, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk runs the search statewide and sends back a certified result with the court seal.

Fee amounts for certified criminal record searches are set by G.S. 7A-308(a)(17). The clerk must maintain records and provide access under G.S. 7A-109. Each additional copy of the same certified record costs $15 if you request it at the same time as the first. Martin County follows these statewide rules for all criminal court record requests.

Nearby Counties

Martin County shares borders with several counties in eastern North Carolina. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the crime occurred. Confirm the right county before searching.