Criminal History in Beaufort County
Beaufort County criminal history records are available through the courthouse in Washington, North Carolina. The county is part of Judicial District 2 in the eastern part of the state. Criminal records here cover cases from across the county. Whether you need to check on an old charge or look up a recent case, the clerk's office can help. Criminal history searches in Beaufort County are straightforward. Records go back many years and are open to the public. You can search in person, by mail, or through online tools.
Beaufort County Criminal History Office
V. Martin Paramore is the Clerk of Superior Court in Beaufort County. The courthouse sits at 112 West Second Street in Washington. All criminal case files are kept at this office. Staff can search records by name or case number. You can also write to PO Box 1403, Washington, NC 27889. Call (252) 940-4000 for general questions about criminal history records in Beaufort County.
Beaufort County falls in Judicial District 2. The court handles both district and superior court matters. District court in Beaufort County covers misdemeanors, infractions, and some civil cases. Superior court hears felony charges and appeals. Criminal history records from both courts are stored at the clerk's office. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours.
| Court |
Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court 112 West Second Street Washington, NC 27889 PO Box 1403 Phone: (252) 940-4000 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/beaufort-county |
Note: Call ahead to confirm hours, as court closings may affect the schedule in Beaufort County.
Beaufort County Criminal History Searches
The easiest way to search criminal history in Beaufort County is online. The NC eCourts portal lets you look up cases by name or number. It is free. You can see charges, court dates, and case outcomes for Beaufort County cases. The portal covers recent cases and some older ones that have been digitized.
For a more thorough search, visit the courthouse in Washington. The clerk's staff will pull case files for you. You need a valid photo ID. Uncertified copies cost $0.25 per page in Beaufort County. Certified copies are $5 for the first page and $2 for each page after that. A certified criminal background check through the clerk costs $25. These fees apply to all criminal history record requests in Beaufort County.
You can also mail a request to the clerk. Include the full name of the person, any known case numbers, and a check or money order for the fees. Mail it to PO Box 1403, Washington, NC 27889. The clerk will mail copies back to you. NCGS § 132-1 gives the public the right to access these criminal records in Beaufort County.
Beaufort County Criminal Court Information
The Beaufort County page on the NC Judicial Branch site provides details about the local court system and criminal records access.
Criminal history records from Beaufort County are managed by the clerk's office at the courthouse shown above. Both walk-in and written requests are accepted. The court hears hundreds of criminal cases each year. Each one creates a record that stays on file.
What Criminal History Records Show
A criminal history record in Beaufort County contains key facts about a case. Each record tells you what happened from start to finish. The level of detail depends on the type of case and how far it went in the court system.
A typical criminal record in Beaufort County includes:
- The defendant's name and date of birth
- Charges filed and their statute numbers
- Arrest date and arresting agency
- Court dates and continuances
- Plea entered by the defendant
- Verdict or disposition of the case
- Sentence imposed if found guilty
Felony records in Beaufort County tend to be longer than misdemeanor files. They may include grand jury indictments, pretrial motions, and sentencing worksheets. Misdemeanor records are usually shorter. Traffic offenses are the simplest criminal records in the system. All of these are public under NCGS § 132-1 unless a judge has sealed them or they have been expunged under NCGS § 15A-145.
Note: Some records in Beaufort County may be partially redacted to protect sensitive information like Social Security numbers.
Beaufort County Sheriff Records
The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office is another source of criminal history data. Call them at (252) 946-7111. The sheriff handles arrests, booking, and inmate records. These records overlap with court records but also include details that may not be in the court file. Booking photos and arrest reports are often held by the sheriff's office in Beaufort County.
The sheriff also serves warrants and court orders in Beaufort County. If someone has an active warrant, that information may be available from the sheriff. Warrant records are part of the broader criminal history picture. They show that a judge found probable cause to order an arrest. Once a warrant is served, the case moves to the court system. At that point, the criminal record transfers to the clerk's office in Beaufort County.
Criminal History Expunctions in Beaufort County
Some criminal records in Beaufort County can be erased through expunction. NCGS § 15A-145 through § 15A-150 set the rules. Dismissed charges are often eligible. Not guilty verdicts can also be removed. Some first offenses qualify for expunction after a waiting period. The process begins with a petition filed at the Beaufort County courthouse.
The NC courts forms page has the petition forms you need. There is a fee to file. The court reviews the petition and may hold a hearing. If granted, the criminal history record in Beaufort County is sealed. The clerk, sheriff, and the SBI all receive the order to remove the record. After that, the record will not appear in most criminal history searches for Beaufort County.
Statewide Record Searches
North Carolina offers state-level tools that go beyond Beaufort County records. The NC State Bureau of Investigation maintains a central criminal records database under NCGS § 114-19. A certified check through the SBI costs $25 and covers all 100 counties. This is useful when you need records from more than just Beaufort County.
The NC DPS offender search tool shows people currently in prison or on supervision. It is free and covers the whole state. The NC Courts help page on records explains how public access works. NCGS § 132-6.2 does allow courts to restrict access in rare cases, but most criminal history records in Beaufort County remain fully public.
The SBI website shown above is where you can start a statewide criminal history check that includes Beaufort County and every other county in North Carolina.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Beaufort County. If a criminal case was heard in one of these counties, you must contact that county's clerk of court for records.