Onslow County Criminal History Searches

Onslow County criminal history records are held at the Clerk of Superior Court in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The clerk keeps files for all criminal cases in the county. You can look up records by name or case number. Onslow County is in Judicial District 5. Camp Lejeune and the city of Jacksonville bring a large population to the area. The courthouse in Jacksonville serves all of Onslow County. Criminal history requests can be made in person, by mail, or through state tools. Records are public under North Carolina law.

Onslow County Criminal History Office

Cindy Padgett Casteen is the Clerk of Superior Court in Onslow County. Her office handles all criminal case records filed in the county. You can visit the courthouse in Jacksonville to search records. Staff can pull case files and make copies. Bring a valid ID when you visit. Onslow County sits in Judicial District 5. All criminal matters go through the courts in Jacksonville.

The clerk's office is open on weekdays. You can walk in and ask for a criminal history search. Give the staff a full name and they will look for matching cases. You can view the file and ask for copies. Certified copies cost $25 in Onslow County. Plain copies are less. You can also call ahead to ask about a case or check hours. Under NCGS § 132-1, criminal court records in Onslow County are public. Anyone may ask to see them.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch website has more details on the Onslow County court.

The image above shows the Onslow County court where criminal history records are stored and available to the public.

Searching Onslow County Criminal History

There are several ways to search for criminal history in Onslow County. The North Carolina eCourts portal is a free online tool. It lets you look up case records by name or case number. It covers all 100 counties. You can see charges, court dates, and outcomes. The portal does not give certified copies. It does give basic case facts fast.

You can also go to the courthouse in Jacksonville. Ask at the clerk's window for a criminal record search. Staff will look up the name you give. They pull files and let you review them. Copies cost a small fee. The first page is more than the rest. Certified copies carry a higher fee. Pay by check or money order to the Onslow County Clerk's Office.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation runs statewide background checks. A state-level criminal history check under NCGS § 114-19 costs $25. It pulls records from all counties. You submit a form and fingerprints to the SBI. This is the best option if you need records from Onslow County and other places at the same time.

Note: The eCourts portal may not show sealed or expunged records from Onslow County. Check with the clerk for a full search.

Onslow County Criminal History Fees

Onslow County follows the state fee schedule for copies of criminal records. Certified copies cost $25. This rate is set by state law. Plain copies cost less. The clerk collects fees at the time of your request. Cash, check, or money order are the usual payment options. Call ahead to confirm what the Onslow County clerk accepts.

NCGS § 132-6.2 sets the rules for copy fees on public records. The first page of a document may cost more than later pages. Certified copies include a seal and signature from the clerk. These are needed for most legal uses. If you just want to read a record, you can view it at no charge in the Onslow County courthouse. You only pay when you need a copy to take with you.

Criminal Record Types in Onslow County

Criminal history files in Onslow County hold many types of papers. Each file starts with the charges. It grows as the case moves through court. The Onslow County clerk keeps all of these on file. You can ask to see any part of a case that is not sealed.

A criminal record in Onslow County may include:

• Arrest warrants or citations
• Charges filed by the district attorney
• Motions and court orders
• Plea deals and trial results
• Sentencing and probation terms

Some records in Onslow County may have been expunged. NCGS § 15A-145 through § 15A-150 set the rules for expunction. An expunged record is gone from public view. The clerk cannot show it to you. If a record you expect to find is missing, it may have been cleared by a judge. The NC Courts expunction page explains the process.

Onslow County handles a high volume of cases. The military presence at Camp Lejeune means the courts see cases that involve both civilian and off-base matters. All cases tried in Onslow County courts are in the clerk's files. Federal cases on base go through federal court, not the Onslow County system.

State Criminal History Tools

Several state tools help you find criminal history records tied to Onslow County. The NC Offender Search lets you look up people in the state prison system. It is free. It shows current and past inmates. It includes those convicted in Onslow County courts. You can search by name or number.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety runs the offender search. It also oversees probation and parole. If someone was put on supervision after a conviction in Onslow County, that may appear in DPS records. The NC Courts records help page explains how to get files from any county.

The Onslow County Sheriff also keeps arrest records. These are not the same as court files. If you need details on an arrest that did not go to court, contact the sheriff. Arrest logs show dates, charges, and booking data for events in Onslow County.

Criminal History Legal Resources

Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Onslow County residents who qualify. They can help with expunction petitions and record issues. Call their helpline to ask about services in Onslow County. Free legal help is based on income.

Expunction clears a criminal record in North Carolina. If charges were dropped, you were found not guilty, or you finished a first-offense program, you may qualify. The rules are in NCGS § 15A-145 through § 15A-150. The Onslow County clerk has the forms. You file them at the courthouse in Jacksonville. A judge must approve the request before the record is removed from Onslow County criminal history files.

The NC Courts forms page has all the papers you need. Download and print them at no cost. Fill them out and file at the Onslow County clerk's office.

Note: Expunction rules changed in recent years. More people may now qualify. Check the current version of NCGS § 15A-145.5 for updated criteria.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Onslow County. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the offense happened. If you are not sure which county holds the record you need, check the address of the incident.