Carteret County Criminal History
Carteret County criminal history records are stored at the Clerk of Superior Court in Beaufort. The county is part of Judicial District 6 along with Craven and Pamlico counties. Located on the North Carolina coast, Carteret County files all criminal cases at 300 Courthouse Square. These records are public. You can search them online, in person, or by written request to the clerk office.
Carteret County Clerk of Court
The Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court is at 300 Courthouse Square in Beaufort. This office keeps all criminal history records for cases filed in the county. Staff can help you find records, make copies, and certify documents. Call (252) 504-4400 for questions.
Carteret County shares Judicial District 6 with Craven County and Pamlico County. Each county has its own clerk. Criminal cases from Carteret County are only at the Beaufort courthouse. You must contact the other county clerks for cases filed in Craven or Pamlico.
The clerk office accepts written requests for Carteret County criminal history records. This is useful if you live far from Beaufort. Send your request by mail to the clerk at 300 Courthouse Square, Beaufort, NC 28516. Include the case number or full name, and a check for the copy fees. The staff will process the request and mail the records to you.
Carteret County criminal history records are public under NCGS 132-1. The North Carolina Public Records Act gives everyone the right to view government records. Criminal case files at the Carteret County courthouse fall under this law.
| Court |
Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court 300 Courthouse Square Beaufort, NC 28516 Phone: (252) 504-4400 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/carteret-county |
Searching Carteret County Criminal Records
There are several ways to search for criminal history in Carteret County. You can use the state online portal, visit the courthouse in Beaufort, or mail a written request. Each method gives you access to public criminal case data.
The North Carolina eCourts portal is the fastest way to search Carteret County criminal history. It is free and open to everyone. You can search by name or case number. The results show charges, hearing dates, and how the case was resolved. The portal covers both district and superior court cases filed in Carteret County.
A visit to the courthouse at 300 Courthouse Square in Beaufort gives you the most complete access. You can review full case files. Public terminals let you search on your own at no charge. When you find a record you need, staff can make copies. Regular copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $25 each.
Written requests are also accepted at the Carteret County clerk office. Mail your request to 300 Courthouse Square, Beaufort, NC 28516. Include the defendant's name or case number and payment for copies. This option works well if you cannot travel to the coast.
Note: The online system may not include all older Carteret County criminal history records. For cases filed before the state went digital, visit or contact the clerk office in Beaufort.
Carteret County Criminal History Contents
A criminal history record in Carteret County shows the full path of a case from arrest to outcome. The record starts with the arrest or citation. It then tracks each step through the court system. Every filing, hearing, and ruling is recorded.
A typical Carteret County criminal record includes the defendant's name, the charges, the arresting agency, court dates, and the final disposition. Dispositions may be guilty, not guilty, dismissed, or deferred. If there was a guilty finding, the sentence is also in the record. This could be jail time, probation, fines, or community service.
Both misdemeanor and felony cases create criminal history records in Carteret County. Misdemeanors are heard in district court. Felonies go to superior court. Traffic offenses with criminal penalties, such as DWI, also appear in criminal history. All of these records are at the clerk office in Beaufort.
Carteret County Sheriff Records
The Carteret County Sheriff's Office handles arrests and runs the county jail. You can reach the sheriff at (252) 728-8400. When someone is arrested in Carteret County, the sheriff creates a booking record. That booking is the first step in the criminal history chain.
Arrest records from the Carteret County Sheriff feed into the court system once charges are filed. The clerk then becomes the official custodian of the criminal record. The sheriff keeps separate arrest and booking data. For details not in the court file, contact the sheriff directly.
Under NCGS 114-19, the Carteret County Sheriff reports arrest data to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. The SBI maintains the state criminal record repository. A state-level search can show Carteret County records alongside records from other counties across North Carolina.
Note: Morehead City and other towns in Carteret County have their own police departments. Cases from those agencies are also filed at the Carteret County courthouse in Beaufort.
State Criminal History Tools
North Carolina provides several state-level tools that include Carteret County criminal history data. These systems pull records from all counties. They help when you need to search beyond one county or are not sure where a case was filed.
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety runs an offender search tool that shows current and past inmates in the state prison system. This includes people sentenced in Carteret County. The search is free and available to the public.
The court records section on the NC Judicial Branch site explains how to access records from any county. It covers online searches, in-person visits, and written requests. Fees and processing times are also explained. This resource applies to Carteret County and all other counties in the state.
Expunctions in Carteret County
Some criminal history records in Carteret County can be expunged. An expunction removes the record from public view. North Carolina statutes NCGS 15A-145 through 15A-150 govern the process. Different sections cover different types of cases.
You file an expunction petition at the Carteret County courthouse in Beaufort. The NC Courts expunction page has the forms and instructions. You can also get blank forms at the clerk office. A judge reviews the petition and decides whether to grant it.
- Dismissed or not guilty cases under NCGS 15A-146
- First offense misdemeanors under NCGS 15A-145
- Drug offenses for people under 22 under NCGS 15A-145.2
- Certain nonviolent felonies under NCGS 15A-145.5
- Gang-related charges under NCGS 15A-145.3
If a judge grants the expunction, the Carteret County clerk removes the record from public access. The person can legally deny the arrest happened. Standard criminal history searches will not show the expunged case. Law enforcement retains limited access under state law.
Criminal Record Fees in Carteret County
Carteret County follows the state fee schedule for court record copies. Viewing records at the courthouse is free. There is no charge to look at criminal history files during business hours at the Beaufort courthouse.
Regular copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $25 per document. Certified copies bear the official seal of the Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court. They serve as legal proof of a court record. You can pay at the clerk window by cash, check, or money order.
For mail requests, include a check or money order with your letter. Make it payable to the Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court. The staff will process the request and return the copies by mail. Allow one to two weeks for processing time.
Carteret County Legal Resources
Legal Aid of North Carolina serves residents of Carteret County who need help with legal matters. They offer free assistance to people who qualify based on income. They can help explain criminal records and guide you through the expunction process.
The NC Courts forms page has all court forms available for free download. This includes expunction petitions, records request forms, and other documents used in Carteret County courts. The clerk office in Beaufort also has printed forms on hand for visitors.
Under NCGS 132-6.2, you have the right to request Carteret County criminal history records and receive a timely response. If you have trouble getting records, Legal Aid can advise you on your rights under the North Carolina Public Records Act.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Carteret County on the North Carolina coast. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the offense took place. Check the right county for the records you need.