New Hanover County Criminal History
New Hanover County criminal history records are stored at the courthouse in Wilmington. The Clerk of Superior Court handles all criminal case files here. You can search records at the clerk office or use the state court portal online. New Hanover County criminal history covers cases from across the Wilmington area. Records span many years and are open for public review.
New Hanover County Criminal History Records
Clerk Jan Giacalone Kennedy manages the office that holds all criminal history records in New Hanover County. The courthouse is in Wilmington, the county seat. Every criminal case filed in New Hanover County is kept here. The office handles a high volume of cases given that Wilmington is one of the larger cities in eastern North Carolina.
New Hanover County has both Superior Court and District Court. Family Court is also active here. Superior Court handles felonies. District Court covers misdemeanors, infractions, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. All of these courts produce criminal history records. The clerk office in Wilmington stores and manages them all.
The courthouse serves everyone in New Hanover County. This includes Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach. All criminal cases from these areas are filed at the Wilmington courthouse. The clerk staff assists the public with record lookups each weekday.
| Court |
New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court Wilmington, NC |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Jan Giacalone Kennedy |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/new-hanover-county |
Search New Hanover County Criminal Cases
You can search criminal history in New Hanover County in person or online. At the courthouse in Wilmington, ask the clerk to look up a name or case number. Staff will search the system. You can review the file and request copies. Certified copies of New Hanover County criminal history records cost $25.
The NC eCourts portal provides online access to New Hanover County criminal cases. Select the county and type a name. The system returns a list of matching cases. You can see charges, court dates, and outcomes. Basic searches are free. The portal works from any computer or phone.
You can also use Form AOC-CR-314 to request a criminal record check. This form is available on the NC Courts forms page. Fill it out and give it to the New Hanover County clerk. The staff will run the search and provide results. This is a good option when you need something formal in writing.
Criminal History Record Details
Criminal case files in New Hanover County contain several types of documents. The charging document starts the case. It may be a warrant, a criminal summons, or an indictment from a grand jury. This paper lists the charges and the laws the person is accused of breaking. It is the first record in the criminal history file.
As the case moves through court, more records are added. Motions from attorneys go in the file. Court orders from the judge are recorded. Bond papers show release conditions. Continuance orders show when court dates were moved. All of these become part of the New Hanover County criminal history record.
The final judgment is the key document. It shows the outcome of the case. Guilty pleas, trial verdicts, and dismissals are all recorded in the judgment. For convictions, it lists the sentence. This may include prison time, probation, fines, or community service. The judgment is what most people look for when they search New Hanover County criminal history.
Under NCGS § 132-1, these records are public. Anyone can ask to see a criminal case file at the courthouse in Wilmington. You do not have to be a party to the case. The clerk provides access under the North Carolina Public Records Act.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The NC State Bureau of Investigation maintains a central criminal history database for all of North Carolina. This goes beyond what New Hanover County keeps. The SBI database holds records from every county. Under NCGS § 114-19, the SBI provides criminal record checks to authorized parties.
A fingerprint-based check through the SBI is the most thorough option. New Hanover County residents can get fingerprinted at the local sheriff office or at the Wilmington Police Department. The prints are sent to the SBI for a search. Results cover all arrests and convictions on file statewide.
The NC Department of Public Safety offers another tool. Their offender search shows people in prison or under state supervision. If someone convicted in New Hanover County received a prison sentence, they will show up in this free database.
Note: A county-level search and a state-level search serve different purposes. The New Hanover County clerk has the full case file with all documents. The SBI and DPS databases provide a summary view but cover the whole state. Use both for the most complete picture.
New Hanover County Criminal Record Expunction
North Carolina allows certain criminal records to be expunged. Expunction removes the record from public access. Statutes § 15A-145 through § 15A-150 control the process. Eligibility depends on the charge, the case outcome, and how long ago the case ended. Not all records qualify.
To file for expunction in New Hanover County, start with the correct form. The NC Courts forms page has petitions for each type of expunction. Fill out the form and file it at the courthouse in Wilmington. A judge will review it. If granted, the New Hanover County clerk removes the record. The SBI also erases it from the state database.
Cases that commonly qualify for expunction include:
- Charges that were dismissed
- Not guilty verdicts after trial
- Certain first-time drug offenses
- Some misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period
- Cases involving defendants under age 18
- Nonviolent felonies after a long waiting period
Violent felonies and sex offenses are not eligible. If you want to know whether your New Hanover County criminal history record qualifies, speak with a lawyer. Legal Aid of North Carolina may be able to help at no cost. The NC Courts expunction page explains each type of expunction in detail.
Public Access to Court Records
Criminal history records in New Hanover County are public by default. The North Carolina Public Records Act, NCGS § 132-1, guarantees this. Court records are government records. The public has a right to see them. The clerk cannot deny access without a legal basis such as a court seal order.
Under § 132-6.2, the clerk charges fees for copies. Certified copies of criminal history records from New Hanover County cost $25 each. Plain copies cost less. You can request copies in person at the Wilmington courthouse or by mail. Include payment with mail requests. The NC Courts records page has more about public access to court records across North Carolina.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near New Hanover County. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the crime occurred. If you need a record from a neighboring area, check the right county below.