Perquimans County Criminal Court Records

Perquimans County criminal court records are held at the Clerk of Superior Court in Hertford. This small county in northeastern North Carolina is part of Judicial District 1. The clerk's office manages all criminal case files, from felony charges in Superior Court to misdemeanors in District Court. You can search for records in person at the courthouse or use online tools provided by the NC Judicial Branch. Perquimans County shares some court staff and judicial resources with nearby Pasquotank County.

Perquimans Criminal Court Records Clerk

The Perquimans County Courthouse is in Hertford. The Clerk of Superior Court keeps all criminal case records here. Staff can help you look up a case, get copies, or check court dates. The office is open on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Perquimans County shares its Superior Court judges with Pasquotank County. The judges rotate between the two courthouses. District Court judges also serve both counties. The District Attorney for District 1 can be reached at (252) 331-4530. This office prosecutes criminal cases in Perquimans County.

Visit the Perquimans County courts page on the NC Judicial Branch website for the full contact directory, local rules, and court calendars.

Perquimans County Criminal Court Access

The NC Courts site for Perquimans County lists all court offices, phone numbers, and local forms.

From this page you can check criminal court calendars and find contact details for the magistrate's office at (252) 404-5019. The Guardian ad Litem program in Perquimans County can be reached at (252) 331-4755.

Search Perquimans County Criminal Court Records

There are three main ways to search criminal court records in Perquimans County.

First, you can visit the clerk's office in Hertford. Public access terminals are open to all. You can search by name, case number, or other details. There is no charge to search. Printing may cost a small fee. Staff can help if you need guidance on the system.

Second, the NC eCourts portal lets you search online. It covers all 100 counties. You can find Perquimans County cases by party name or record number. Basic case data is free. The portal shows charges, court dates, and case status.

Third, you can request a certified criminal record search. This requires Form AOC-CR-314 and a $25 fee. Submit the form at the clerk's office or by mail. Certified results carry the clerk's seal and are accepted for legal purposes.

Note: Juvenile and sealed records are not available to the public in Perquimans County or any North Carolina county.

Criminal Court Records Resources for Perquimans County

Beyond the local clerk's office, several state tools can help you find criminal records that may include Perquimans County data. The NC Department of Adult Correction offender search covers prison inmates, probationers, and parolees going back to 1972. It does not include local jail data.

The NC State Bureau of Investigation is the state's central criminal record repository. They offer fingerprint-based checks that are more reliable than name-based searches. For court-specific records, the NC Courts help topic on obtaining records explains all your options.

The NC Sex Offender Registry at sexoffender.ncsbi.gov lets you search for registered offenders near any address in Perquimans County or statewide.

Perquimans County Criminal Court Records Fees

The main fees for criminal court records in Perquimans County follow the state schedule. A certified criminal record search is $25 per name. Plain copies cost less. The exact per-page rate may vary.

You can pay with cash, money orders, or credit cards at the clerk's office. Mail requests need a money order or certified check. Personal checks are often not accepted for court fees in Perquimans County. Call the clerk at (252) 404-5000 to confirm current rates and accepted payment methods before your visit.

Criminal Courts in Perquimans County

Perquimans County has two levels of criminal court. Superior Court handles all felony cases. These include serious charges like armed robbery, drug trafficking, and murder. Felony cases can involve a 12-person jury when the defendant pleads not guilty. The Superior Court also hears appeals from District Court cases in Perquimans County.

District Court covers misdemeanors and infractions. DWI, simple assault, and petty theft are common charges at this level. A judge decides the outcome without a jury. Traffic violations and code infractions also go through District Court. Magistrates in Perquimans County issue warrants, set bail amounts, and accept guilty pleas for minor crimes.

All records from both court levels are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court. You can search across both courts from a single terminal at the Perquimans County Courthouse. Older cases may take longer to find because they could be stored in a different format or location within the office.

Note: Under North Carolina law, court records are generally public unless they are sealed, expunged, or involve juvenile proceedings.

Getting Copies of Perquimans County Records

Visit the clerk's office in Hertford to get copies. Bring your ID. Tell staff what you need. They can print pages from a case file for a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more and carry the court seal.

You can also request records by mail. Send a letter to the Perquimans County Clerk of Superior Court, PO Box 33, Hertford, NC 27944. Include the case number or party names, what documents you want, and your return address. Add a money order for the fees. The NC Courts public records request form can also be used for court documents in Perquimans County.

The Criminal Record Search form (AOC-CR-314) is needed for certified background checks. Download it online or pick one up at the courthouse. Submit the form with the $25 fee to start a certified search in Perquimans County.

Nearby Counties

Perquimans County borders several other counties in northeastern North Carolina. Criminal cases must be filed where the alleged offense occurred. Check that you are searching the correct county.