Johnston County Criminal History Access
Johnston County criminal history records are available at the courthouse in Smithfield. The county is one of the fastest growing in North Carolina. Johnston County falls under Prosecutorial District 13 for Superior Court and District 12 for District Court. The Clerk of Superior Court manages all criminal case files. You can visit in person, send a mail request, or search online. Smithfield is the county seat and the main court location for all criminal history searches. Records go back many years and are open to the public.
Johnston County Criminal History Records
The Johnston County Clerk of Superior Court holds all criminal history records for the county. The courthouse is at 207 E. Johnston Street in Smithfield. The criminal division handles record requests. You can reach them by phone at (919) 209-5400 or by email at Johnston.Criminal@nccourts.org. The staff can search records and provide copies.
Criminal history records in Johnston County are public under NCGS 132-1. The Public Records Act gives everyone the right to view government records. You do not need a reason. You do not need to be part of the case. The clerk must let you see any criminal file that is not sealed. Most criminal records in Johnston County are open.
Johnston County sees a large number of criminal cases each year. The population has grown fast. More people means more court activity. The clerk's office handles both current cases and old records. The criminal history files go back many years in Johnston County.
The Johnston County court page on the NC Judicial Branch site provides courthouse details and contact information.
The Johnston County courthouse in Smithfield is where all criminal history records are filed and available for public access.
| Court |
Johnston County Clerk of Superior Court 207 E. Johnston Street Smithfield, NC 27577 Phone: (919) 209-5400 Email: Johnston.Criminal@nccourts.org |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/johnston-county |
Searching Johnston County Criminal History
You can search Johnston County criminal history records in several ways. An in-person visit to the Smithfield courthouse is the most direct. The clerk can look up any person by name or case number. You can view the file on site. If you want copies, ask at the counter. Payment is accepted by cash, credit card, money order, or certified check.
Mail requests are also accepted in Johnston County. Send a written request to 207 E. Johnston Street, Smithfield, NC 27577. Include the name and any case details. For payment by mail, use a money order or certified check. The clerk will process the request and mail the results back to you. Allow time for delivery both ways.
The NC eCourts portal at portal-nc.tylertech.cloud lets you search for free online. Pick Johnston County and type in a name. The results show charges, case status, and dates. This is a good starting point. It does not replace a full courthouse search, but it gives you basic case details for Johnston County criminal history records.
Note: The email address Johnston.Criminal@nccourts.org can be used for questions. However, not all record requests can be handled by email. Complex searches or certified copy requests may require an in-person visit or mail to the Johnston County clerk.
Johnston County Certified Copies
Certified copies of Johnston County criminal history records cost $25 each. This is the statewide rate. The clerk certifies the copy with a stamp and seal. A certified copy is an official document. It can be used in court or for legal matters. Plain copies cost less but have no official standing.
Use Form AOC-CR-314 to request a certified copy. Fill in the name, case number, and what you need. Submit the form at the Johnston County courthouse or by mail. In person, you can pay with cash, credit card, money order, or certified check. By mail, only money orders and certified checks are accepted in Johnston County.
The form is available at the courthouse. You can also get it from the NC Courts forms page. Having the case number makes the process faster. If you do not have it, provide as much detail as you can. The clerk in Johnston County will search by name and date of birth.
Criminal Cases in Johnston County
Johnston County courts handle a wide range of criminal cases. Superior Court in Smithfield hears all felonies. District Court handles misdemeanors. Both courts create criminal history records that the clerk stores. The county has multiple law enforcement agencies that file cases in the court system.
Felony cases include drug offenses, burglary, robbery, and serious assault. A grand jury reviews the evidence. If they find probable cause, the case goes to Superior Court. The criminal history record for a felony in Johnston County includes the indictment, all motions, the plea or trial record, and the judgment. Sentencing details are part of the file.
Misdemeanor cases in Johnston County move through District Court. Common charges include DWI, simple assault, shoplifting, and trespassing. These cases often resolve faster than felonies. The record shows the charge, court dates, and outcome. A misdemeanor conviction in Johnston County stays on the criminal history unless expunged.
The NC Department of Public Safety tracks anyone sent to state prison. The offender search tool is free. It shows Johnston County convictions that led to prison time.
The state court system shown above connects to Johnston County criminal history records and provides tools for searching cases across North Carolina.
Johnston County Criminal History Expunctions
North Carolina allows certain criminal history records to be expunged. NCGS 15A-145 through 15A-150 cover this. An expunction removes the record from public view in Johnston County. The person can then state they have no record for most purposes. The process requires a petition filed with the clerk.
Not every record qualifies. The statutes list specific conditions for each type. Dismissed charges are the easiest to expunge under NCGS 15A-146. Not guilty verdicts also qualify. Some first-time convictions can be expunged after a waiting period. The type of charge and the person's record both matter.
- Dismissed charges under NCGS 15A-146
- Acquittals and not guilty verdicts
- First offense misdemeanor convictions
- Certain nonviolent felony convictions
- Drug offenses for young first offenders
Get the forms from nccourts.gov expunctions. File them at the Johnston County courthouse. A judge will review the petition. If granted, the Johnston County clerk removes the record from public access. Legal Aid of North Carolina can help residents who qualify for free legal services.
Statewide Criminal History Resources
The NC State Bureau of Investigation runs background checks under NCGS 114-19. This pulls criminal history records from all 100 counties. A statewide check catches records beyond Johnston County. The SBI has its own fees and process. It is separate from the courthouse search.
The NC Courts website links to every county court page, including Johnston County. The court records section has instructions for getting files. The General Statutes contain all the laws. NCGS 132-1 covers public records access. NCGS 132-6.2 governs electronic records. These laws apply to criminal history records in Johnston County and statewide.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Johnston County. Criminal history records are kept in the county where the case was filed. Check the correct county before starting your search.