Perquimans County Criminal History Records

Perquimans County criminal history records are held at the Clerk of Superior Court in Hertford. This small county sits in the Albemarle region of northeastern North Carolina. The county seat is Hertford, one of the oldest towns in the state. Criminal cases filed in Perquimans County become part of the public record. The clerk keeps case files for both district and superior court. You can search these records in person or request them by mail. Perquimans County has a close-knit court system that handles all local criminal matters.

Perquimans County Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Superior Court in Perquimans County manages all criminal history records for the county. Clerk Todd Tilley oversees this office. Staff can pull case files and make copies. The office sits on North Church Street in Hertford. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours.

Criminal records at this office go back many years. The clerk stores paper files and has access to the statewide court database. You can ask for a search by name or case number. Certified copies cost $25 in Perquimans County. This fee is set by state law. Plain copies cost less. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit the courthouse in Perquimans County.

Criminal History Search in Perquimans County

There are a few ways to search criminal history in Perquimans County. You can visit the clerk in Hertford. You can also use the state court portal. Each method has its own steps. The right choice depends on what you need.

The North Carolina eCourts portal at portal-nc.tylertech.cloud lets you look up cases from any county. Type in a name to find criminal cases in Perquimans County. The system shows charge details, court dates, and case status. It is free. For full documents, you still need to contact the clerk. The portal does not show sealed or expunged records from Perquimans County.

To search in person, go to 128 North Church Street in Hertford. Staff will look up records for you. You can ask for copies on the spot. Call (252) 404-5000 first to check hours. Older criminal history records in Perquimans County may take more time to find. Some files are stored off-site.

Note: The clerk cannot give legal advice. They can only help you find and copy criminal history records in Perquimans County.

Perquimans County Criminal Records Access

Criminal records in Perquimans County are public. The North Carolina Public Records Act, NCGS § 132-1, gives the public a right to inspect government records. This includes court files. Anyone can ask to see a criminal case file in Perquimans County. You do not need to be part of the case.

Some records are not open to the public. Sealed cases stay hidden. Expunged records under NCGS § 15A-145 through § 15A-150 are removed from public view. Juvenile cases are also restricted. But most adult criminal history records in Perquimans County are fully open. The clerk must allow you to view them during normal hours under NCGS § 132-6.2.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation also keeps criminal history data. You can request a state-level background check through the NCSBI website. This search covers all counties, not just Perquimans. It costs a fee. The SBI check is based on fingerprints and is more thorough than a name search at the local court in Perquimans County.

Criminal Case Types in Perquimans County

Perquimans County courts handle two main types of criminal cases. District court hears misdemeanors. Superior court hears felonies. Both types create criminal history records that the clerk keeps on file.

Misdemeanor cases in Perquimans County include offenses like simple assault, shoplifting, DWI, and trespass. These cases are heard in district court. A judge decides the outcome. There is no jury trial in district court for misdemeanors in Perquimans County unless the defendant appeals to superior court.

Felony cases go through a grand jury process. The district attorney presents evidence. If the grand jury returns a true bill, the case moves to superior court. Felony charges in Perquimans County include offenses like burglary, drug trafficking, and robbery. These cases often take longer. The criminal history record for a felony case in Perquimans County will show more entries as the case moves through the system.

Traffic offenses that carry criminal penalties also appear in Perquimans County criminal records. DWI is the most common. Driving while license revoked is another. These are criminal charges, not just civil infractions. They show up on a criminal history search in Perquimans County.

Perquimans County Criminal Record Expungement

North Carolina law allows some criminal records to be expunged. An expungement removes the record from public view. After an expungement, the criminal history record in Perquimans County will no longer show up in most searches. The process starts with a petition to the court.

Under NCGS § 15A-145, a person with a dismissed charge or a not guilty verdict can petition for expungement. First-time offenders may also qualify under certain statutes. The NC Courts expunction page has the forms you need. File the petition at the Perquimans County Clerk of Superior Court. There is a filing fee. The court reviews the petition and may grant the expungement.

You can find expungement forms at nccourts.gov/documents/forms. Legal Aid of North Carolina at legalaidnc.org may help if you cannot afford a lawyer. They serve Perquimans County residents who meet income requirements.

Note: An expungement does not destroy the record. It limits who can see it. Law enforcement can still access expunged criminal history records in Perquimans County under certain conditions set by state law.

Perquimans County Offender Records

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety keeps records on people who serve time in state prison. If someone from Perquimans County was sentenced to prison, you can look them up through the offender search tool on the DPS website. This tool shows current and past inmates. It includes the charge, sentence, and release date.

The NC Department of Public Safety site also has information on probation and parole. If a person from Perquimans County is on supervised release, the DPS may have records. These are separate from court records held by the clerk. Both sources together give a fuller picture of a person's criminal history in Perquimans County.

Criminal History Laws in North Carolina

Several North Carolina statutes govern criminal history records in Perquimans County. NCGS § 132-1 makes most government records public. NCGS § 114-19 gives the SBI authority to maintain criminal records statewide. These laws apply to every county, including Perquimans.

The General Statutes of North Carolina are available at ncleg.gov. The NC Courts records page explains how to request court records. Both are good starting points if you want to learn more about your rights to access criminal history records in Perquimans County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Perquimans County. If you are not sure where a case was filed, check the address where the offense took place. Criminal cases must be filed in the right county.