Lenoir County Criminal History Lookup
Lenoir County criminal history records are kept at the Clerk of Superior Court in Kinston, North Carolina. The clerk is Dawn G. Stroud. Lenoir County sits in Judicial District 9 and 9A. The county has Family Court services. Criminal case files at the Kinston courthouse are public under NCGS Section 132-1. The 9th District Recovery Court also serves Lenoir County, along with Greene and Wayne counties. You can search records by name or case number at the clerk office on South Queen Street.
Lenoir County Criminal History at the Court
Clerk Dawn G. Stroud runs the Lenoir County Clerk of Superior Court at 130 South Queen Street in Kinston. This is the county seat. All criminal cases from Lenoir County are filed at this courthouse. The clerk stores warrants, charges, motions, court orders, and final judgments. Staff can search records while you wait. Bring a valid ID when you visit.
Lenoir County is part of Judicial District 9 and 9A. The county has Family Court, which handles cases that cross family and criminal lines. The 9th District Recovery Court serves Lenoir, Greene, and Wayne counties. It is located at 130 South Queen Street in Kinston. You can reach the Recovery Court at (252) 520-5446. This program works with people who have substance-related criminal charges. Cases that go through Recovery Court are still part of the Lenoir County criminal history file.
Call the clerk at (252) 520-5300 for questions about Lenoir County criminal records. The mailing address is PO Box 68, Kinston, NC 28501. Visit the Lenoir County court page for more details.
The Lenoir County courthouse in Kinston houses all criminal history records for the county and the 9th District Recovery Court.
| Court |
Lenoir County Clerk of Superior Court Clerk: Dawn G. Stroud 130 South Queen Street Kinston, NC 28501 PO Box 68 Phone: (252) 520-5300 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/lenoir-county |
Searching Lenoir County Criminal Records
You can search Lenoir County criminal history online or in person. The eCourts portal is a free tool that covers all North Carolina counties. Enter a name or case number. Lenoir County records will show up. You can see charges, dates, and outcomes. The portal does not provide certified copies.
For an in-person search, go to 130 South Queen Street in Kinston. Ask staff for a criminal record search. Give them the full name of the person. They will check for cases in Lenoir County. You can view the file and get copies. The first page is $6.00. Each page after that is $0.25. Certified copies cost more and are needed for most legal uses.
The North Carolina SBI runs statewide checks under NCGS Section 114-19. The fee is $25. Submit Form AOC-CR-314 with fingerprints. Results cover all 100 counties. This is good if you need records from places beyond Lenoir County.
Note: The eCourts portal may not show expunged or sealed records from Lenoir County. For a thorough search, contact the clerk in Kinston.
Criminal History Record Types in Lenoir County
Criminal history files in Lenoir County contain all documents from a case. Each file starts with the charge. Papers are added as the case moves through court. The Lenoir County clerk keeps everything at the Kinston courthouse.
A Lenoir County criminal record may hold arrest warrants, citations, motions, court orders, plea agreements, trial records, and the final judgment. Sentencing details are part of the file. Probation terms, fines, and restitution all appear. If the case went through the 9th District Recovery Court, those program details are in the Lenoir County record too. The Recovery Court focuses on substance-related offenses and tracks progress through treatment and court reviews.
Some records in Lenoir County may have been expunged. Under NCGS Section 15A-145 through Section 15A-150, certain records can be removed from public view by a judge. The clerk cannot show an expunged file. Dismissed charges, not-guilty verdicts, and some first offenses may qualify. The NC Courts expunction page explains the process and rules.
Lenoir County Record Copy Fees
Lenoir County follows the state fee schedule under NCGS Section 132-6.2. The clerk collects fees when you make the request. Pay by check or money order to the Lenoir County Clerk.
Standard fees for Lenoir County criminal history copies:
- First page: $6.00
- Each added page: $0.25
- Certified copy: higher fee
- SBI statewide check: $25.00
- Form AOC-CR-314 required for state check
Call (252) 520-5300 to confirm payment options before visiting the Kinston courthouse. Certified copies are required for most legal proceedings that use Lenoir County criminal records.
State Tools for Lenoir County Searches
The NC Offender Search is free. It shows people in the state prison system, including those convicted in Lenoir County. Search by name or offender number. The tool shows conviction details and current status.
The NC Department of Public Safety runs the offender database and oversees probation. If someone was placed on supervision after a Lenoir County conviction, DPS may have records. The NC Courts records page has steps for getting court files from any county in the state.
The Lenoir County Sheriff keeps arrest records separate from court files. If an arrest did not lead to charges, the court may not have a record. Contact the sheriff in Kinston for arrest logs and booking details in Lenoir County.
Legal Aid for Lenoir County
Legal Aid of North Carolina helps Lenoir County residents who qualify based on income. They assist with expunction petitions and record corrections. Call their helpline for details about services in Lenoir County.
To file for an expunction in Lenoir County, download the right form from the NC Courts forms page. The rules are in NCGS Section 15A-145 through Section 15A-150. File the form at the Lenoir County clerk office in Kinston. A judge reviews each petition. First offenses, dismissed charges, and acquittals each have different forms. The statute sets out who qualifies and what steps to follow.
Note: Filing an expunction petition in Lenoir County does not guarantee the record will be removed. The judge decides each case based on the law and the specific facts.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lenoir County. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the offense took place. Check the address of the incident to find the right county.