Dare County Criminal History
Dare County criminal history records are stored at the Clerk of Superior Court in Manteo. This coastal county includes the Outer Banks and sees seasonal population swings that affect the court calendar. Criminal cases filed in Dare County are public and searchable. The clerk handles record requests and provides copies of court documents. You can search in person at the courthouse or use online state tools to look up criminal cases from Dare County. Criminal history records here cover felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses from across the county.
Dare County Criminal History at the Courthouse
The clerk office in Manteo is the main source for criminal history records in Dare County. All criminal cases filed in the county are stored here. This includes felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. The courthouse has public access terminals where you can search by name or case number at no cost.
Dare County is part of Judicial District 1. This district also covers Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans counties. Each county keeps its own records, but they share a district attorney and some court resources. A search of Dare County records will only show cases filed in Dare County. You would need to search each county in the district separately.
The Dare County courthouse sits at 962 Marshall C. Collins Drive in Manteo. Phone the clerk at (252) 475-5200 or (252) 475-5201 for questions about criminal history records. Staff can tell you what is available and how to get copies.
The Dare County page on the NC Judicial Branch site has courthouse details and contact information.
The Dare County courthouse in Manteo is where all criminal history records are stored and available for public searches.
| Court |
Dare County Clerk of Superior Court 962 Marshall C. Collins Drive Manteo, NC 27954 Phone: (252) 475-5200 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/dare-county |
Online Criminal Case Search
You can search Dare County criminal cases online through the state eCourts system. The North Carolina eCourts portal covers all 100 counties. It is free to use. Enter a name or case number and the system returns matching cases from Dare County.
Results show the charges, court dates, and disposition. They do not include full documents. For actual copies of filings, orders, or judgments, contact the Dare County clerk. The online system is a good starting point. It tells you what exists. Then you can follow up for the details you need.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch website also has general information about court records and how to access them. Their court records help page explains the types of records available and the rules that apply.
Note: Online records may lag behind the courthouse by a few days. If you need the most current information on a Dare County criminal case, call the clerk or visit in person.
Dare County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Dare County Sheriff makes arrests and creates booking records. Each arrest generates data that becomes part of the criminal history system. The sheriff office is at (252) 475-5980. Booking records include the charge, date, and personal details of the person arrested.
Arrest records in North Carolina are public under NCGS 132-1. You can request them from the sheriff. Once a case is filed in court, the court records become the primary source. The sheriff records and court records are separate systems. Both contribute to a person's criminal history in Dare County.
Local police departments in Dare County towns like Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, and Kitty Hawk also make arrests. Those records go to the clerk when charges are filed. All criminal cases in Dare County, no matter which agency made the arrest, end up at the same courthouse in Manteo.
Criminal Cases in Dare County
Dare County has a small year-round population. In the summer, the Outer Banks draws millions of visitors. This creates a seasonal pattern in criminal cases. The court docket grows during peak months. Many cases involve people who do not live in Dare County full time.
If someone is charged in Dare County, the case stays here. It does not move to their home county. The criminal history record is tied to where the offense happened. A person from Raleigh charged in Dare County will have a record in the Dare County system. That record also feeds into the statewide database maintained by the SBI under NCGS 114-19.
Common criminal cases in Dare County include DWI, drug offenses, assault, and property crimes. Traffic offenses also generate court records. While minor infractions may not carry the same weight as felonies, they are still part of the court record and can be searched at the courthouse.
Copies of Dare County Criminal History
Certified copies of criminal records from Dare County cost $25 each. This is the standard rate across North Carolina. A certified copy has the clerk seal on it. Courts and agencies often require certified copies for legal matters.
To get copies, visit the clerk at 962 Marshall C. Collins Drive in Manteo. You can also send a written request by mail. Include the person's full name, the case number if known, and payment. The clerk will process your request and mail back the copies.
What you need for a record request in Dare County:
- Full legal name of the person
- Case number or date range
- Payment for copy fees
- Photo ID for in-person visits
- Return address for mail requests
NCGS 132-6.2 sets the rules for how agencies handle record requests. The clerk must respond within a reasonable time. They cannot charge more than the actual cost of making copies. If you are unsure what to request, call the clerk first. They can tell you what records exist for a given name or case number in Dare County.
Dare County Criminal History Expunctions
Some criminal records in Dare County can be expunged. Expunction removes the record from public access. After an expunction, the case will not appear in searches. North Carolina governs expunctions under NCGS 15A-145 through 15A-150.
Dismissals and acquittals are the most common cases eligible for expunction. Some convictions qualify too, depending on the charge and how much time has passed. The process starts with a petition filed at the Dare County Clerk of Superior Court. The court forms page has the required documents.
The SBI and district attorney review the petition. A judge decides whether to grant it. If approved, the clerk removes the case from public records in Dare County. The expunction help page explains the process and eligibility rules.
Note: Expunged records in Dare County will not show up on public terminals or in the eCourts system. Law enforcement retains access to expunged records for limited purposes under state law.
Statewide Criminal History Resources
The SBI maintains the state criminal record database. It collects data from all counties, including Dare County. A statewide check gives a broader view than a single county search. Under NCGS 114-19, the SBI is the central repository for criminal history in North Carolina.
You can also search for offenders through the Department of Public Safety. The offender search tool shows people who are or were in the prison system. This includes people sentenced in Dare County courts. The NCDPS website has more details on their programs and records.
For free legal help with criminal record issues, contact Legal Aid of North Carolina. They assist people across the state, including Dare County residents, with expunctions and other record-related matters.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Dare County. Criminal cases are filed where the offense occurred. Check the right county when searching for records.