Wilkes County Criminal Court Records
Wilkes County criminal court records are filed and stored at the Clerk of Superior Court in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The county belongs to Judicial District 34 for all court types. You can search for criminal case records through the online NC eCourts Portal or visit the courthouse in person. The clerk office keeps records for every criminal matter filed in Wilkes County, from minor infractions to serious felony charges. Staff at the courthouse can help you find what you need. All criminal cases produce public records that are kept at the clerk office under North Carolina law.
Wilkes County Quick Facts
Wilkes County Criminal Court Records Clerk
The Clerk of Superior Court in Wilkes County is the main source for criminal court records. The office stores all case files, handles new filings, and gives out copies to the public. Call (336) 651-4400 to reach the clerk. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Wilkes County Courthouse has designated parking for staff and visitors on both sides of the building. The facility offers wheelchair access, elevators, and vending machines. Public access terminals are set up inside so anyone can search criminal records at no charge. If you need paper copies, there is a per-page fee. For certified copies, additional charges apply. The eCourts Portal accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover for fine payments on criminal cases. Digital wallets like Apple Pay or Venmo are not accepted for Wilkes County court payments.
The Wilkes County NC Courts page lists all court contacts, criminal calendars, and local rules. You can also find links to the eCourts Portal and payment tools from that page.
| Court |
Wilkes County Clerk of Superior Court Wilkes County Courthouse Wilkesboro, NC Phone: (336) 651-4400 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/wilkes-county |
Searching for Criminal Records in Wilkes County
The fastest way to search is the NC eCourts Portal. Go to the eCourts Portal and type in a name or case number. It is free. The system covers all courts in Wilkes County and across North Carolina. You can see charges, court dates, and outcomes. No sign-up is required.
For a certified criminal record check, fill out Form AOC-CR-314. Bring it to the clerk office with $25. The clerk will search the Wilkes County records and give you a certified result. You can also mail the form to the courthouse. Download it from the NC Courts website.
In person, use the public terminals at the courthouse. Staff can point you to the right terminal and explain how to search. Printing costs a small fee. Most criminal court records in Wilkes County are public under the NC Public Records Act, G.S. Chapter 132. Under G.S. 7A-308(a)(17), the $25 fee for a certified search is set by state law. Each additional copy of the same record costs $15 if ordered at the same time.
Wilkes County Criminal Court Online
The NC Courts website has a dedicated page for Wilkes County courts. It shows the full contact directory, calendar links, and forms. Visit the Wilkes County courts page to view criminal schedules and contact the right office.
Use this page to check court dates, find local rules, or reach the Guardian ad Litem office at (336) 651-4421 for cases that involve children in Wilkes County.
Wilkes Criminal Court Records and Sheriff
The Wilkes County Sheriff's Office handles arrest warrants, jail operations, and civil process. The sheriff plays a key role in criminal cases before they reach the court. Once charges are filed, the records move to the clerk office.
The District Attorney at (336) 651-4410 prosecutes all criminal cases in Wilkes County. Victims and witnesses can call the DA office for case updates. Court-ordered arbitration is available at (336) 651-4470 for certain disputes. The Wilkes County government website lists all county departments and services.
Note: The sheriff office does not provide certified copies of court records; contact the clerk of court for those in Wilkes County.
Types of Criminal Cases in Wilkes County
Superior Court in Wilkes County hears all felony cases. Drug offenses, robbery, and violent crimes go to this court. A 12-person jury decides the case at trial. Superior Court judges can be reached at (336) 651-4416. The NC Superior Court has the same rules across all counties.
District Court handles misdemeanors, infractions, and traffic violations. These are less serious charges. DWI, trespassing, and simple assault are common. A judge decides without a jury. Magistrates at (336) 651-4419 issue warrants and set bail. They also accept guilty pleas for minor offenses in Wilkes County. The Guardian ad Litem office at (336) 651-4421 assists in criminal cases that involve children. Court-ordered arbitration is available at (336) 651-4470 for some disputes in Wilkes County.
- Felony cases in Superior Court
- Misdemeanors in District Court
- Magistrates issue warrants and set bail
- Arbitration available for some cases
Wilkes Criminal Court Records Checks
A certified search at the clerk office costs $25 per name. For state-level data, the NC State Bureau of Investigation offers fingerprint-based checks. These are the gold standard. Name-based searches are less accurate. The NC Department of Adult Correction has a free offender search covering state inmates and those on probation since 1972. Local jail data from Wilkes County is not included in that tool.
The NC Sex Offender Registry is a free resource maintained by the SBI. Under G.S. 14-208.5, people convicted of certain offenses must register with law enforcement in Wilkes County. Search by name, address, or zip code. Victims can sign up for alerts through VineLink when an offender's status changes. The Remote Public Access Program gives licensed users real-time criminal court records from all 100 counties. This tool runs under G.S. 7A-109(d) and G.S. 7A-343.2. Fees collected through the program go to the Court Information Technology Fund.
Historical criminal court records from Wilkes County may be held at the State Archives of North Carolina in Raleigh. Most court records from the 1800s were moved there. The State Archives preserves old case files from the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, which handled both civil and criminal matters before 1868. Contact the archives at (919) 814-6840 for older Wilkes County records.
Nearby Counties
Wilkes County borders several counties in the North Carolina foothills. Criminal cases are filed where the offense took place. Check the correct county before searching.