Find Sampson County Criminal Court Records
Sampson County criminal court records are filed and stored at the Clerk of Superior Court in Clinton. The courthouse handles criminal cases for all areas within the county. You can search for case filings, view docket entries, and request copies of court documents in person or through online tools. Sampson County sits in the southeastern part of North Carolina and is one of the largest counties in the state by land area. The clerk's office serves as the main access point for all criminal court records.
Sampson County Quick Facts
Sampson County Criminal Court Office
The main courthouse sits at 101 East Main Street in Clinton. This is where the Clerk of Superior Court keeps all criminal court records for Sampson County. The office is open on weekdays. Walk in during business hours to search records at a public terminal or ask staff for help.
Sampson County also has an annex office at 119 West Main Street and an extension office at 201 East Main Street in Clinton. All three locations can help you with criminal court records. Before you go, call to confirm which office has what you need. The main number is (910) 596-6600. Bring a valid ID and any case details you have. A case number speeds up the search.
The Sampson County courts page on the NC Judicial Branch site lists contacts and court calendars for both criminal and civil matters.
Use this page to check court dates, find phone numbers, and view local rules before visiting the courthouse.
| Court |
Sampson County Clerk of Superior Court 101 East Main Street Clinton, NC 28328 Phone: (910) 596-6600 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/sampson-county |
Search Sampson Criminal Court Records
Sampson County offers several ways to access criminal court records. The most direct method is visiting the courthouse. Use the public computer kiosk in the clerk's office. You can search by name or case number. No fee is charged to search. Printing costs may apply.
For a certified criminal record search in Sampson County, fill out Form AOC-CR-314. Submit the form with a $25 fee. The clerk runs a name search and gives you a certified result. This is the standard process for all North Carolina counties. You can submit by mail or in person at the Sampson County clerk's office. Certified records are often needed for legal matters.
The Sampson County Sheriff's Department at 112 Fontana Street in Clinton keeps arrest records. Contact them at sheriff@sampsoncountync.gov for arrest details. The Sheriff handles booking records and jail information separately from the court system.
Note: Always confirm fees and office hours by phone before visiting the Sampson County courthouse.
Online Criminal Court Records Tools
The NC eCourts Portal lets you search Sampson County criminal court records from any computer. Type in a name or case number. The portal shows basic case data for free. You do not need to sign up. It is open all day, every day.
Third-party sites like NorthCarolinaCourtRecords.us also compile Sampson County court data from public sources.
These sites can be useful for quick lookups. They pull from public databases. For official or certified records, always go through the Sampson County clerk's office directly.
The NC Department of Adult Correction has an offender search tool. It covers state prison inmates and people on probation. Records go back to 1972. It does not cover county jail inmates in Sampson County.
Criminal Court Records in Sampson County
Superior Court in Sampson County handles felony cases. Drug trafficking, armed robbery, and assault charges go here. A 12-member jury hears these cases. The court also handles appeals from District Court. Superior Court records are kept at the clerk's office in Clinton.
District Court takes misdemeanors and traffic offenses. DWI, shoplifting, and simple assault are common cases. A judge decides these without a jury. Magistrates in Sampson County issue arrest warrants, set bail, and accept guilty pleas for minor crimes. All of these actions create records that the clerk's office stores.
- Felony cases: filed in Superior Court
- Misdemeanors: filed in District Court
- Traffic crimes: filed in District Court
- Warrants: issued by magistrates
- Appeals: go from District to Superior Court
Sampson County Public Records Access
Criminal court records in Sampson County are public under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, the North Carolina Public Records Act. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not need to be part of the case. The clerk must let you view records during business hours.
Some records are not public. Juvenile cases are sealed under state law. Expunged records are removed from public view. Cases sealed by a judge are also off limits. Mental health proceedings and some family court matters stay private in Sampson County. Everything else in the criminal court file is open to the public.
To get copies, ask the clerk's staff. Standard copy fees apply per page. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. If you need a certified copy for legal use, specify that when you make the request. The clerk can certify the document on the spot at the Sampson County courthouse in Clinton.
Statewide Resources for Sampson County
The NC State Bureau of Investigation runs fingerprint-based background checks for the whole state. The fee is $14. These checks are more reliable than name-based searches. The NCSBI is the central data hub for criminal records in North Carolina. It serves Sampson County along with all 99 other counties.
The Remote Public Access Program lets licensed users pull court data from all counties at once. This paid service is aimed at businesses and organizations. It runs under the authority of G.S. 7A-109 and G.S. 7A-343.2. Monthly fees apply. Most people looking for a single record in Sampson County do not need this service.
The Sampson County Register of Deeds is at 126-A West Elizabeth Street in Clinton. Call (910) 592-8026 for vital records. Marriage, birth, and death records are kept here. Property records and deeds are also available. These are separate from criminal court records but may be needed for some legal matters involving Sampson County residents.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Sampson County. Criminal cases are filed where the offense took place. If the location was near a county line, check both counties.