Rockingham County Criminal History

Rockingham County criminal history records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. The county seat is Wentworth, though the courthouse also serves Reidsville and other towns. Criminal cases from all parts of Rockingham County are filed here. Clerk Joseph Pegram manages the records office. This guide covers how to find, request, and understand criminal history records in Rockingham County, North Carolina.

Rockingham County Clerk of Court

Joseph Pegram is the Clerk of Superior Court for Rockingham County. The office is at 170 Highway 65 in Reidsville. The mailing address is PO Box 127, Wentworth, NC 27375. The phone number is (336) 634-6000. Staff at this office handle all criminal case files for the county.

You can visit the clerk office to search for criminal history records. Bring your ID. Give the staff a name or case number. They will search the system. If a match is found, you can review the file. Ask for copies if you need them. A certified copy costs $25 in Rockingham County. This fee is set by state law.

Rockingham County eCourts System

Rockingham County went live on the new eCourts system in July 2025 as part of Track 9. This system replaced the old case management tools. The eCourts portal lets you search criminal history records online. Enter a name and select Rockingham County. The system shows case numbers, charges, court dates, and outcomes.

Attorneys who file cases in Rockingham County must now use eFiling. This is required, not optional. Self-represented individuals can still file on paper at the clerk office. The eCourts system makes it easier to find criminal records. Data is updated more often than the old system.

The portal is free for basic case data. You can see charge descriptions, hearing dates, and dispositions. For full documents like motions and orders, you need to contact the Rockingham County clerk. Some documents may be available through the portal in the future. For now, the clerk office is the best source for complete criminal history files.

Note: The eCourts transition moved older records into the new system. Some legacy data may have formatting differences. If a record looks incomplete, call the clerk at (336) 634-6000 to verify.

Criminal History Record Categories

Rockingham County criminal history records include felonies and misdemeanors. Each type goes through a different court. The records contain different levels of detail based on case complexity.

Felony cases in Rockingham County go to superior court. These are serious charges. Burglary, drug trafficking, and assault with a deadly weapon are examples. The case file includes the arrest warrant, indictment, pretrial motions, and the final judgment. If there was a trial, the file may include jury instructions and the verdict form. These are all part of the criminal history record.

Misdemeanor cases go through district court. DWI, simple assault, and petty theft are common. The file is usually simpler. It shows the charge, the court date, any plea deal, and the sentence. Most misdemeanor cases in Rockingham County are resolved in one or two court dates.

Some cases involve both felony and misdemeanor charges. These go to superior court for all charges. The file combines everything. When you search criminal history in Rockingham County, all charges in a case appear together under one case number.

Rockingham County Records Access

NCGS § 132-1 makes government records public in North Carolina. Criminal history records at the Rockingham County courthouse fall under this law. Anyone can request them. You do not need to give a reason. The clerk must allow access unless a specific exception applies.

Exceptions exist for sealed and expunged records. Juvenile cases are also restricted under state law. If a judge has ordered a record sealed in Rockingham County, the clerk cannot show it to the public. Everything else is open.

Under § 132-6.2, the clerk must respond to requests in a reasonable time. You can ask in person, by phone, or by mail. Written requests go to PO Box 127, Wentworth, NC 27375. Include the name and any details you have about the case. The clerk will search and let you know what they find.

North Carolina Criminal History Database

The SBI runs a statewide criminal history database. Under NCGS § 114-19, the public can request criminal background checks. The SBI database pulls from all 100 North Carolina counties. A search here covers more ground than a single county check. There is a fee for this service.

The Department of Public Safety tracks inmates and offenders. Use the offender search to find people in state custody. This covers anyone convicted in Rockingham County who was sent to prison. The tool shows their location, sentence, and projected release date. It is free to use.

The NC Judicial Branch website ties all the county systems together. You can find contact details for every clerk office. The site also has court forms for many purposes. If you need to file anything related to criminal history in Rockingham County, start here for the right form.

Criminal Record Expunctions

North Carolina allows expunction of certain criminal records. The rules are in NCGS § 15A-145 through § 15A-150. Each section covers a different type of case. Dismissed charges, not guilty verdicts, and some first offenses may qualify. The NC Courts expunction page lists all categories.

To file for expunction in Rockingham County, get the right form from nccourts.gov. Fill it out. File it at the clerk office. Pay the fee. A judge will review your petition. If approved, the criminal history record is removed from public view in Rockingham County and from the SBI database.

The process is not instant. It takes weeks or months. The clerk can give you an update on your petition status. Once granted, the record is gone. It will not appear in future searches of Rockingham County criminal history records.

Legal Resources for Rockingham County

Legal Aid of North Carolina offers free services to those who qualify. They can help with criminal record issues. If you need an expunction or help reading your record, reach out to them. They serve Rockingham County residents.

The General Statutes are available online. Look up Chapter 15A for criminal procedure. Chapter 132 covers public records. These laws control how criminal history records work in Rockingham County and the rest of the state.

Note: This page is for reference. It is not legal advice. If you have questions about a criminal case in Rockingham County, talk to a lawyer.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Rockingham County. Criminal cases are filed where the offense took place. Check the location of the incident to find the right county.