Haywood County Criminal History Search
Haywood County criminal history records are stored at the Clerk of Superior Court in Waynesville, North Carolina. This mountain county is in the western part of the state near the Great Smoky Mountains. All criminal records in Haywood County are public under NCGS Section 132-1. You can search court records online or visit the courthouse in Waynesville. Clerk staff help with name searches and copy requests for criminal history records.
Haywood County Clerk of Court
The Haywood County Clerk of Superior Court is in Waynesville. This is the county seat. The clerk office stores all criminal case files for the county. Staff can search records, pull files, and make copies. Haywood County is a smaller court system. Wait times are usually short.
Visit the Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville to search criminal history records in person. Bring a valid ID. Give the staff the name you want to search. They check the system for matching cases in Haywood County. You can view the files right there. If you need copies, ask the clerk. The first page costs $6.00. Each added page is $0.25.
The Haywood County courthouse in Waynesville serves as the sole location for criminal history record searches.
| Court |
Haywood County Clerk of Superior Court Waynesville, NC |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/haywood-county |
Searching Haywood County Criminal Records
The eCourts portal is the fastest way to search Haywood County criminal history online. This free tool covers all North Carolina counties. Enter a name or case number. The system returns matching cases. Results include charges, court dates, and case status. You cannot get certified copies through the portal.
To search in person, go to the Waynesville courthouse. Tell the clerk you want to look up criminal history records. They search by the name you give. You can view any public file in Haywood County. The clerk can make copies while you wait.
For a statewide check, the North Carolina SBI provides certified criminal history reports. The cost is $25 under NCGS Section 114-19. Submit Form AOC-CR-314 and fingerprints. The SBI searches all 100 counties. This returns Haywood County criminal history records along with records from every other county. This is the most complete search available.
Note: Waynesville is in the mountains. Winter weather can close the courthouse. Call ahead during bad weather to confirm the Haywood County clerk office is open.
Haywood County Criminal Record Types
Criminal history files in Haywood County contain all the documents from each case. The file starts with the arrest or citation. Charges are added by the district attorney. As the case moves through the courts, motions, orders, and rulings are filed. The Haywood County clerk keeps every document together.
A Haywood County criminal history record typically includes:
- Arrest warrants or criminal summons
- Formal charges and indictments
- Bond orders and conditions
- Plea agreements or trial transcripts
- Sentencing judgments
Misdemeanor cases in Haywood County go through District Court. Felony cases are heard in Superior Court. Both types of records are public under NCGS Section 132-1. The case number prefix shows the case type. Anyone can view criminal history records in Haywood County. You do not need to be part of the case.
Haywood County is near the Tennessee border. Some people may have records in both states. The Haywood County clerk only has North Carolina records. For Tennessee records, contact the courts in that state.
Criminal History Expunctions in Haywood County
Under NCGS Section 15A-145 through Section 15A-150, some criminal records in Haywood County can be expunged. Expunction removes a record from public view. The clerk can no longer show it. A judge must approve the petition. The process takes several months.
You may qualify if your charges were dismissed in Haywood County. Not guilty verdicts also qualify. Certain first offenses may be eligible after a waiting period. Each case type has different rules. The NC Courts forms page has the forms. Print the correct one. File it at the Haywood County courthouse in Waynesville.
The NC Courts expunction page explains the rules in detail. Read them before you file. Using the wrong form will delay your expunction petition in Haywood County. The clerk staff can help you find the right form, but they cannot tell you whether you qualify.
Note: Haywood County has a smaller court calendar. Expunction hearings may be scheduled less often than in larger counties. Plan for extra time when filing in Haywood County.
State Resources for Haywood County
The NC Offender Search is free to use. It shows people in state prison or on supervision. This includes people convicted in Haywood County. Search by name or offender number. The tool is run by the NC Department of Public Safety.
The NC SBI provides statewide criminal history checks that include Haywood County records.
DPS also manages probation and parole. If someone was placed on supervision after a Haywood County conviction, DPS records may show that. The Haywood County Sheriff keeps arrest records separately from court files. Contact the sheriff for arrest details that did not lead to formal charges in Haywood County.
The NC Courts records page has general guidance on how court records work in North Carolina. It covers public access, fees, and how to request copies by mail. This applies to Haywood County and every other county.
Legal Help in Haywood County
Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Haywood County. They help with expunctions and criminal record matters. Services are free for people who qualify based on income. Call their helpline to ask about services in Haywood County.
The North Carolina General Statutes at ncleg.gov contain all the laws that apply to criminal records. NCGS Section 132-1 covers public access. NCGS Section 114-19 covers SBI checks. NCGS Section 15A-145 through Section 15A-150 covers expunctions. NCGS Section 132-6.2 addresses electronic access to records. These laws govern criminal history records in Haywood County and every other county in the state.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Haywood County. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the offense took place. Check the location to find the correct county for your search.