Franklin County NC Criminal History
Franklin County criminal history records are stored at the courthouse in Louisburg, North Carolina. The county is in Judicial District 12. Louisburg is the county seat. Franklin County sits just north of Wake County. The clerk of court keeps all criminal case files. You can search these records by visiting the courthouse or calling (919) 497-4200. The county also has a satellite location at the Hobgood Annex. Franklin County has a small-town feel with a population of about 70,000 residents.
Franklin County Criminal Records
The Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court maintains all criminal history records. The clerk office is at the courthouse in Louisburg. Staff can search records by name or case number. Walk-in visits are welcome. Bring a valid ID when you go.
Criminal records in Franklin County are public. NCGS § 132-1 guarantees this right. Anyone can ask to see a criminal case file. You do not have to explain why. The clerk pulls the file. You review it at the counter. If you need copies, the clerk can make them for you.
The image below shows Franklin County court and law enforcement facilities for criminal history records.
The Hobgood Annex at 113 S. Main Street also serves Franklin County. Some court functions happen there. Check with the clerk to find out which location has the records you need. Call (919) 497-4200 for help.
| Court |
Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court Courthouse Louisburg, NC Phone: (919) 497-4200 |
|---|---|
| Annex | Hobgood Annex, 113 S. Main Street |
| District | Judicial District 12 |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/franklin-county |
Criminal History Search Methods
Online searches are easy. The NC eCourts portal is free. Type in a name. The system shows matching cases from Franklin County and other NC counties. You get charges, dates, and case status. No account is needed. Use this for a quick look.
For a certified criminal history search, visit the clerk in Louisburg. The fee is $25 per name. Fill out Form AOC-CR-314. The clerk runs the search. You get a certified result on paper. This is the official record from Franklin County.
You can also request records by mail. Send the completed Form AOC-CR-314 to the clerk office in Louisburg. Include a check or money order for $25. The clerk will process the search and mail the results back to you. Allow one to two weeks.
Note: The Franklin County clerk searches only local records. For records from other counties, you must contact those clerks. For a statewide search, go to the NC SBI.
Franklin County Criminal Case Types
Franklin County criminal history includes both felony and misdemeanor cases. Felonies are tried in Superior Court. These are serious offenses. Drug charges, burglary, and assault with a deadly weapon are examples. The clerk keeps all felony files at the courthouse in Louisburg.
Misdemeanor cases go through District Court. DWI is common. So is simple assault. Shoplifting and trespass are other frequent charges. All of these create criminal history records in Franklin County.
A typical Franklin County criminal history record contains:
- Defendant name and identifying details
- Charges and statute numbers cited
- Arrest date and agency
- Court dates and appearances
- Final outcome and sentence
Traffic offenses that are criminal also appear. DWI is a misdemeanor. Driving while license revoked is too. Hit and run can be a felony. All of these show up on a Franklin County criminal history search. Regular speeding tickets are not criminal. They do not appear.
The NC Courts website has more about court records and what they include. Franklin County follows the same state rules as all other counties.
Franklin County Expunction Records
Some criminal records in Franklin County can be expunged. This is a legal process. It removes the record from public access. After expunction, the criminal history entry is gone. North Carolina law sets the rules in NCGS § 15A-145 through § 15A-150.
Dismissed charges can often be expunged. Not guilty verdicts too. Some first-time drug offenses qualify. The waiting period depends on the charge type. Age at the time of the offense can matter. A Franklin County judge must approve the petition.
Get the petition form from nccourts.gov/documents/forms. Fill it out completely. File it with the Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court. There is a filing fee. You may need fingerprints. Once approved, the clerk seals the record. The NC SBI removes it from the state database too.
State Records and Franklin County
The NC State Bureau of Investigation maintains a statewide criminal history database under NCGS § 114-19. This includes records from Franklin County and all other NC counties. A name-based search costs $14. A fingerprint search costs $38. Visit ncsbi.gov for the application.
If someone was sentenced in Franklin County and sent to state prison, the NC Department of Public Safety has records. Use the offender search tool to look them up. It is free. It shows inmates, parolees, and people on probation.
Read the criminal law statutes at ncleg.gov. This helps you understand charges on a Franklin County criminal history report. NCGS § 132-6.2 governs public access to court records.
Legal Help in Franklin County
Legal Aid of North Carolina can help Franklin County residents. They offer free legal assistance based on income. They handle expunction petitions and other criminal record issues. Call their helpline for more information.
The NC State Bar lawyer referral line is 1-800-662-7660. They can match you with a lawyer near Franklin County. The NC Courts website has forms and guides for people without a lawyer. These are useful for filing expunction petitions or requesting criminal history records in Franklin County.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Franklin County. Each county has its own criminal history records at the local clerk of court office. Search the correct county for your case.