Davidson County Criminal History Search

Davidson County criminal history records are maintained at the courthouse in Lexington. The Clerk of Superior Court stores all criminal case files for the county. You can search these records on public terminals at the courthouse or through the state online system. Davidson County handles criminal cases from across its jurisdiction, including the cities of Lexington and Thomasville. Records cover felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic cases processed by the court.

Davidson County Court Records

The courthouse in Lexington is the central location for all criminal history records in Davidson County. Both Superior Court and District Court operate here. Superior Court handles felony cases. District Court covers misdemeanors and lesser offenses. The clerk stores records from both courts in one system.

Davidson County is in Judicial District 22. The district covers Davidson County alone. This means the court resources are focused on cases from this county. The clerk office at 110 West Center Street in Lexington handles all record requests. Call (336) 242-6700 or (336) 242-6701 for information about criminal history records.

Public access terminals at the Davidson County courthouse let you search cases for free. Type in a name or case number. The system shows charges, dates, and outcomes. For full documents, ask the clerk to pull the case file. You can review it at the courthouse and request copies of what you need.

How to Search Criminal History

There are several ways to search criminal history in Davidson County. The method you choose depends on what you need and how fast you need it. Each approach has its strengths.

At the courthouse, walk in and use the public terminals. These are free. Staff can also search for you at the counter. If you find a case, you can ask for copies right away. Certified copies cost $25. Plain copies run $0.25 per page. Bring an ID with you when you visit.

Online, the eCourts portal lets you search Davidson County criminal cases from anywhere. Enter a name and the system returns matching records. Results show charges, court dates, and dispositions. The portal is free. It covers all North Carolina counties, so you can check multiple places in one session.

For a statewide criminal history check, the State Bureau of Investigation is the central source. Under NCGS 114-19, the SBI collects criminal data from every court and law enforcement agency in the state. A check through the SBI will include Davidson County records along with records from all other counties.

Note: The eCourts portal shows case data but not full documents. For actual copies of orders, judgments, or other filings from Davidson County, contact the clerk directly.

Davidson County Sheriff Records

The Davidson County Sheriff handles arrests and runs the county jail. Arrest records are created at booking. These records feed into the criminal history system once charges are filed in court. Reach the sheriff at (336) 249-2691.

Under NCGS 132-1, arrest and booking records are public in North Carolina. You can request them from the sheriff office. The sheriff keeps its own records separate from the court. Both sets of records contribute to a person's criminal history in Davidson County. An arrest without a court filing still creates a record with the sheriff.

Local police in Lexington and Thomasville also make arrests in Davidson County. Those cases go to the same courthouse. All criminal charges in Davidson County, regardless of the arresting agency, are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court in Lexington.

Criminal Case Types in Davidson County

Davidson County criminal history includes different types of cases. Each type follows its own path through the court system. All of them create records that you can search and review.

Felony cases in Davidson County start with a first appearance in District Court. A grand jury reviews the evidence. If the grand jury indicts, the case moves to Superior Court for trial. The entire process generates records at each step. Indictments, motions, plea agreements, and judgments all become part of the criminal history file.

Misdemeanor cases stay in District Court. They often resolve faster than felonies. Some are settled in a single hearing. Others take several court dates. Either way, the records stay with the clerk. A misdemeanor conviction in Davidson County appears in a criminal history search the same way a felony does.

North Carolina classifies felonies from Class A to Class I. Misdemeanors range from Class A1 to Class 3. The class determines the sentence range. It does not affect how records are stored or accessed. All criminal cases in Davidson County go through the same clerk office and the same record system.

Note: Traffic infractions processed by the court also appear in the case records system at the Davidson County courthouse. These are separate from DMV records.

Criminal History Expunction

North Carolina law permits expunction of certain criminal records. Expunction removes a case from the public record. Once expunged, it will not show up in searches of Davidson County criminal history. The governing statutes are NCGS 15A-145 through 15A-150.

Cases dismissed or ending in acquittal are the easiest to expunge. Some conviction records qualify after a waiting period. The type of offense and the person's overall record determine eligibility. Not every case qualifies. The rules vary by statute.

To start the expunction process in Davidson County, file a petition with the Clerk of Superior Court. You can find the forms at the NC Courts forms page. The petition goes to the SBI and district attorney for review. A judge then rules on the request. If granted, the clerk removes the case from the public record.

The expunction help page at nccourts.gov has full details on which records qualify and what steps to follow. Legal Aid of North Carolina can also help with the process if you qualify for their services.

Public Access to Criminal Records

Criminal history records in Davidson County are public. NCGS 132-1 makes court records available to anyone. You do not have to be a party to the case. You do not have to state a reason for your request. The clerk must provide access to public records within a reasonable time.

NCGS 132-6.2 governs the process for record requests. The clerk can charge for copies but not for viewing records. Certified copies cost $25 in Davidson County. Plain copies are $0.25 per page. These fees are set by state law and apply across North Carolina.

Some records are restricted. Sealed cases are not available to the public. Juvenile cases are confidential. Expunged records do not appear in public searches. Grand jury proceedings are also closed. Everything else in a criminal case file at the Davidson County courthouse is open for public review.

The court records page at nccourts.gov explains the rules in more detail. For specific questions about accessing records in Davidson County, call the clerk at (336) 242-6700.

State Criminal Record Database

The SBI operates the central criminal record repository for North Carolina. Under NCGS 114-19, every court and law enforcement agency sends criminal data to the SBI. This includes all records from Davidson County. A statewide check through the SBI covers the entire state in a single search.

The Department of Public Safety tracks offenders in the prison and probation system. Their offender search tool lets you look up people who have been sentenced to prison or placed on supervised release. This includes offenders from Davidson County.

A county-level search and a state-level search serve different goals. The county search in Davidson County shows local court records with full detail. The state search covers every county but may have less detail on individual cases. For a thorough search, use both methods.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Davidson County. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the offense happened. Confirm the right county before you search.