Wake County Criminal Court Records

Wake County criminal court records are held at the Clerk of Superior Court in Raleigh, North Carolina. Wake County is the most populous county in the state with over 1.1 million residents. The Wake County Justice Center on Fayetteville Street handles all criminal case filings and record requests. You can search criminal records online through the NC eCourts Portal or visit the courthouse in person. The clerk office manages a large volume of criminal cases each year, and staff are available to help you find what you need.

Wake County Criminal Court Records Clerk

The Clerk of Superior Court in Wake County is the official custodian of all criminal court records for the county. This office handles new filings, stores records, and provides copies to the public. The Wake County Justice Center is at 316 Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh. Call (919) 792-4000 to reach the clerk office. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Wake County processes one of the largest criminal caseloads in North Carolina. The Justice Center serves all cities and towns in the county. This includes Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest, Garner, Knightdale, Morrisville, Wendell, Zebulon, and Rolesville. No matter where in Wake County the offense took place, the case is filed at this courthouse. Staff can search by name, case number, or citation and pull paper files for you to review.

The Wake County NC Courts page lists all court services, calendars, and contact numbers. You can also view criminal calendars to check when cases are set for hearing. Wake County was one of the first counties to roll out eCourts services, including eFiling and the online portal.

Public access terminals in the clerk office let you search criminal records at no charge. These self-service stations are open during business hours. If you want copies, a per-page fee applies. Certified copies cost more. The clerk office also handles estates, civil cases, and special proceedings for Wake County.

Wake County Court Records Online

The NC Courts website has a full page for Wake County. It links to court contacts, criminal calendars, and the eCourts Portal. Visit the Wake County courts page to view all services and tools.

From this page, you can check court dates, find local forms, and link to the online payment system for fines and fees in Wake County.

Search Wake Criminal Court Records

The NC eCourts Portal is the best way to search criminal court records from home. It is free. Go to the eCourts Portal and enter a name, case number, or citation. The system covers all courts in Wake County and statewide. You can view charges, court dates, and case outcomes. Registration is not required for basic searches, but an account lets you save cases for later review.

The portal accepts searches by party name, record number, citation number, attorney bar number, attorney name, business name, or case cross-reference number. You can also look up court dates by judicial officer or courtroom. This is one of the most powerful search tools for criminal records in Wake County. Documents tied to cases can be viewed and printed for free through the portal.

For a certified criminal record search in Wake County, use Form AOC-CR-314. Fill it out and bring it to the clerk window at 316 Fayetteville Street with the $25 fee. You can also mail the form. Under G.S. 7A-308(a)(17), the fee is set by state law. The clerk will search the Wake County database and give you a certified result.

At the courthouse, the public access terminals are available all day during business hours. Walk in, use a terminal, and search by name. This method is free. Staff can help if you need it. Printing charges may apply.

Note: Sealed or expunged records will not appear in any public search in Wake County.

Criminal Cases Filed in Wake County

Wake County handles a large number of criminal cases each year due to its size. Superior Court hears all felony cases. Drug trafficking, murder, armed robbery, and burglary are tried here. A 12-person jury decides guilt when the defendant pleads not guilty. The NC Superior Court system applies the same rules in every county.

District Court in Wake County covers misdemeanors, infractions, and traffic offenses. DWI, simple assault, shoplifting, and speeding are common charges. A judge decides these cases. There is no jury in District Court. Magistrates issue warrants, set bail, and accept guilty pleas for minor offenses.

Each case file includes the warrant or summons, charging documents, motions, plea agreements, and the final judgment. Sentencing orders and probation terms are part of the record too. Most criminal court records in Wake County are public under the NC Public Records Act, G.S. Chapter 132. Juvenile cases, sealed records, and active unreturned warrants are not available to the public.

Wake Criminal Court Records and Sheriff

The Wake County Sheriff's Office plays a key role in the criminal justice process. The sheriff serves arrest warrants, operates the detention center, and handles civil process. Once criminal charges are filed, the case records move to the clerk of court. The sheriff office is separate from the clerk office but works closely with the courts.

For arrest records and active warrants, contact the sheriff office. For court case records and certified copies, go to the Clerk of Superior Court at the Justice Center. The sheriff does not provide certified court documents. Wake County also has municipal police departments in Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and other towns that handle their own arrest records.

Note: The sheriff office and the clerk of court are separate offices with different roles in the criminal justice system.

Wake County Criminal Court Records Online

Wake County was among the first in North Carolina to adopt the eCourts system. This digital platform replaced the old paper-based record system. The NC Courts services page links to the Portal, eFiling, Guide and File, and payment tools. Attorneys must use eFiling to submit documents in Wake County cases.

Guide and File is a free tool that helps people prepare and file common legal actions. North Carolinians have created more than 120,000 documents through this system since it launched. The portal lets you search criminal records, view court dates, and pay fines with a credit card. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted. Digital wallets like Apple Pay are not.

The Remote Public Access Program gives licensed users real-time access to criminal and civil court data from all 100 counties. This is for organizations that need bulk data. The program runs under G.S. 7A-109(d) and G.S. 7A-343.2. Fees go to the Court Information Technology Fund.

Wake Criminal Court Records Checks

A certified criminal record check at the Wake County clerk office costs $25 per name. The clerk searches the county database and gives you a certified result. Each extra copy of the same record costs $15 if ordered at the same time. You can submit Form AOC-CR-314 in person or by mail.

For a statewide search, the NC State Bureau of Investigation offers fingerprint-based background checks. The SBI is the central repository for criminal records in North Carolina. Their office is at 3320 Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27626. Phone: (919) 582-8660. Name-based searches are less reliable than fingerprint checks.

The NC Department of Adult Correction runs a free offender search on their website. It covers state prison inmates, probationers, and parolees back to 1972. The database does not include local jail records from Wake County. For jail inmate information, contact the Wake County Sheriff's Office.

• Certified search at clerk office for $25
• SBI fingerprint checks at 3320 Garner Road, Raleigh
• Adult Correction offender search online
• NC Sex Offender Registry at sexoffender.ncsbi.gov
• Free public terminals at the Justice Center

Public Records Access in Wake County

Criminal court records in Wake County are generally public under the North Carolina Public Records Act, G.S. Chapter 132. Anyone can request to view them. You do not have to be a party to the case. The NC Courts public records request form lets you submit a written request to the clerk office by mail or in person.

Some records are restricted. Juvenile case records are confidential under N.C.G.S. 7B-3000. Sealed cases, active unreturned warrants, protective orders, and involuntary commitment records require elevated access through the portal. Expunged records are removed from public view entirely. If you need records that fall into a restricted category, you may need a court order.

The NC State Archives in Raleigh holds historical court records. Most court records from the 1800s are stored there, with microfilm copies available. The archives are at 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Phone: (919) 814-6840. If you need very old criminal records from Wake County, the State Archives is the place to check.

Cities in Wake County

Wake County has many municipalities. All criminal cases are filed at the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court in Raleigh. The courthouse serves the whole county from one location.

Municipalities include Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest, Garner, Knightdale, Morrisville, Wendell, Zebulon, and Rolesville. Each has its own police department that handles arrests, but all court records go to the Wake County clerk office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Wake County. Criminal cases are filed where the offense took place. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check the address where the incident occurred.