Lincoln County Criminal History Search
Lincoln County criminal history records are maintained at the Clerk of Superior Court in Lincolnton, North Carolina. The clerk is Fred Hatley. Lincoln County sits in Judicial District 39. The courthouse at 1 Court Square stores all criminal case files. These records are public under NCGS Section 132-1. Lincoln County has a Community-Centered Court and a Trial Court Administrator. All criminal cases for the county go through the Lincolnton courthouse, and you can search them by name or case number.
Lincoln County Court Records Office
Clerk Fred Hatley leads the Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court. The office is at 1 Court Square in Lincolnton. This is the county seat. All criminal cases from Lincoln County are filed here. The clerk keeps warrants, charges, motions, court orders, and judgments on file. Staff can pull records and make copies while you wait.
Lincoln County is part of Judicial District 39. The county has a Community-Centered Court, which is a program that aims to resolve certain cases through local support and services. A Trial Court Administrator helps manage the daily work of the court in Lincoln County. Criminal cases go through both district and superior courts at the Lincolnton courthouse. You can reach the clerk by phone at (704) 742-7800. The mailing address is PO Box 8, Lincolnton, NC 28093.
Visit the Lincoln County court page at the North Carolina Judicial Branch website for hours and details.
The Lincoln County courthouse in Lincolnton is the main location for all criminal history record requests in the county.
| Court |
Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court Clerk: Fred Hatley 1 Court Square Lincolnton, NC 28093 PO Box 8 Phone: (704) 742-7800 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/lincoln-county |
How to Search Lincoln County Criminal History
There are several ways to search Lincoln County criminal history records. The fastest is the North Carolina eCourts portal. It is free. It covers all 100 counties. Type in a name or case number. Lincoln County records will come up. You can see charges, court dates, and case results. The portal does not provide certified copies.
To search in person, go to 1 Court Square in Lincolnton. Ask the staff for a criminal record lookup. Give them the full name. They will check for cases in Lincoln County. You can view the file and get copies. The first page costs $6.00. Each added page is $0.25.
The SBI runs statewide criminal history checks for $25. Submit Form AOC-CR-314 with fingerprints. The search covers all counties under NCGS Section 114-19. This helps if you need records from places beyond Lincoln County.
Note: Online results may not include expunged or sealed records from Lincoln County. For a complete search, contact the clerk at (704) 742-7800.
Criminal Record Types in Lincoln County
Criminal history files in Lincoln County hold all the documents from a case. Each file starts with the initial charge. Papers are added as the case moves through the system. The Lincoln County clerk stores all records at the Lincolnton courthouse.
A Lincoln County criminal record may include arrest warrants, citations, charging papers from the district attorney, motions, court orders, plea agreements, trial records, and the final judgment. Sentencing details are in the file. Probation terms, fines, and restitution orders all appear. If a case went through the Community-Centered Court program, those details are part of the Lincoln County criminal history record as well.
Some records may have been expunged under NCGS Section 15A-145 through Section 15A-150. An expunged record is removed from public view. The clerk cannot show it. Dismissed charges, acquittals, and certain first offenses may qualify for expunction in Lincoln County. The NC Courts expunction page explains who can apply and how the process works.
Note: Juvenile criminal records in Lincoln County are not open to the public and need a court order to view.
Lincoln County Criminal History Fees
Lincoln County follows the state fee schedule for criminal record copies. Fees are set by NCGS Section 132-6.2. The clerk collects payment at the time of your request.
Standard fees for Lincoln County criminal records:
- First page copy: $6.00
- Each added page: $0.25
- Certified copies: higher fee
- SBI statewide check: $25.00
Pay by check or money order to the Lincoln County Clerk. Call (704) 742-7800 to ask about payment methods before you visit. Certified copies of Lincoln County criminal records are needed for most legal uses. Plain copies work for personal reference but may not be accepted by courts or other agencies.
State Tools for Lincoln County Searches
The NC Offender Search is a free tool. It shows people in the state prison system, including those convicted in Lincoln County. You can search by name. The tool shows conviction details, release dates, and current status.
The NC Department of Public Safety runs the offender database and handles probation across the state. If someone was placed on supervision after a Lincoln County conviction, DPS may have records of it. For court files from any county, the NC Courts records page has instructions.
The Lincoln County Sheriff also keeps arrest records. These are separate from the court files at the clerk office. If an arrest did not lead to formal charges, the court may not have a record. Contact the sheriff in Lincolnton for arrest logs and booking details.
Legal Aid for Lincoln County Records
Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Lincoln County residents who qualify based on income. They help with expunction petitions and criminal record matters. Call their helpline to learn about services in Lincoln County.
Expunction is the legal process to clear a criminal record. The rules are in NCGS Section 15A-145 through Section 15A-150. Download the right form from the NC Courts forms page. File it at the Lincoln County clerk office in Lincolnton. A judge reviews each petition and decides whether to grant it. First offenses, dismissed charges, and not-guilty verdicts each have separate forms and different rules under the statute.
Note: An expunction petition filed in Lincoln County does not mean the record will be removed. The judge reviews the facts and the law before making a decision on each request.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lincoln County. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the offense took place. Check the address to find the right county for your search.