Northampton County Criminal Court Records

Northampton County criminal court records are kept at the Clerk of Superior Court in Jackson. This county is in the northeastern part of North Carolina along the Virginia border. A new courthouse opened in May 2024. The clerk stores all criminal case files from both District and Superior Court. You can search records at the courthouse or through the state eCourts portal. Northampton County records are public under state law. The clerk office can help you with requests for copies and certified searches.

Northampton County Criminal Court Records Office

The Clerk of Superior Court in Northampton County manages all criminal case files. The office moved to a new courthouse in 2024. The mailing address is PO Box 217, Jackson, NC 27845. Call (252) 574-3100 to reach the clerk.

Northampton County is in Prosecutorial District 7 and Superior Court District 7B. The Northampton County NC Courts page has the full contact directory and local court information. Several court programs are available in Northampton County. These include the Clerk Mediation Program, Family Financial Settlement Program, and Court-Ordered Arbitration. The Guardian ad Litem office is at (252) 574-3121. The District Attorney is at (252) 358-7150.

Staff at the Northampton County clerk office can pull case files and make copies for you. Bring ID when you visit.

Search Criminal Court Records in Northampton County

You can look up criminal court records in Northampton County online or in person. Both options give you access to public case data.

The NC eCourts portal is the free online option. Search by name, case number, or citation. The portal pulls records from all 100 counties. Basic case facts show up right away for Northampton County. This includes charges, court dates, and outcomes. The system is open all day, every day.

For a certified criminal record search, you need Form AOC-CR-314. Get it from the NC Courts website. The fee is $25. Submit the form and payment at the Northampton County clerk office or by mail. The certified result has the court seal. This is the standard process across all North Carolina counties.

At the courthouse, public terminals let you search cases for free. You can also ask the clerk to pull a paper file. Copies cost $2 for the first page and $0.25 for each one after that in Northampton County. Certified copies are $3 each.

What Northampton County Criminal Records Include

A criminal court file in Northampton County contains all the papers tied to a case. The file begins with the charging document and ends with the final order.

Common items in a Northampton County criminal record include:

• Warrants and criminal summons
• Bond orders and conditions
• Motions filed by either side
• Court date notices and continuances
• Plea forms or jury verdicts
• Sentencing judgments
• Probation terms

These records are public under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132. Anyone can ask to view them. Exceptions include sealed records, expunged matters, and juvenile cases. The clerk in Northampton County can tell you if a file has any restrictions.

Northampton County Court Programs

Northampton County offers several court programs that can affect criminal case records. These programs are listed on the NC Courts page for the county.

The Clerk Mediation Program helps settle disputes outside of a full trial. The Family Financial Settlement Program handles money matters in family cases. Court-Ordered Arbitration provides a way to resolve civil disputes with less court time. The Juvenile Court Improvement Program works to improve outcomes for young people in the justice system. Guardian ad Litem volunteers advocate for children in abuse and neglect cases in Northampton County. The custody mediation office is at (252) 794-6814.

When a case goes through one of these programs, the records still stay on file at the clerk office. Program outcomes become part of the court record in Northampton County. The District Attorney at (252) 358-7150 handles all criminal prosecutions in the county.

State Criminal Court Records Search Tools

State agencies offer tools that can supplement your search of Northampton County records. The NC Department of Adult Correction offender search has data going back to 1972. Search by name or offender ID. This covers state prison and probation records.

The NC SBI handles fingerprint-based criminal background checks. Name-based checks are less accurate. The SBI also runs the NC Sex Offender Registry. You can search by address or zip code to find offenders near Northampton County.

Note: The Northampton County Sheriff office at 252-534-2611 handles arrest records and local jail information.

Northampton County Criminal Court Records Fees

Fees apply when you request copies of criminal court records in Northampton County. The state sets fee rates that apply across all clerk offices.

A certified criminal record search costs $25 per name in Northampton County. This uses Form AOC-CR-314. Uncertified copies of court documents cost $2 for the first page and $0.25 for each page after. Certified copies of individual documents are $3 each. The online eCourts portal is free for basic case data. Cash and checks are accepted at the clerk office. Call (252) 574-3100 to confirm payment options before you visit the new Northampton County courthouse in Jackson.

If you mail a request, include the completed form, your payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail it to PO Box 217, Jackson, NC 27845. The clerk will process the search and mail you the results.

Public Access to Northampton County Records

Criminal court records in Northampton County are public under the North Carolina Public Records Act. The NC Courts guide to records explains how to get court documents. You can view files at the clerk office. Anyone can request access. You do not need to be part of the case.

Restricted records in Northampton County include juvenile cases, expunged records, sealed cases, and unreturned warrants. Mental health proceedings and certain protective orders also require special access through the court.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Northampton County. Criminal cases are filed where the charge was made. Make sure you check the right county for your search.