Rowan County Criminal History Records
Rowan County criminal history records are held at the courthouse in Salisbury. The Clerk of Superior Court manages all criminal case files for the county. Jeffrey Barger serves as the current clerk. District and superior courts both operate in Rowan County. All criminal charges filed here create records that the public can access. This page explains how to search criminal history records in Rowan County and what options are available.
Rowan County Court Records Office
The Rowan County Clerk of Superior Court is at 210 North Main Street in Salisbury. Jeffrey Barger is the clerk. His staff handles criminal record searches, copies, and certifications. The phone number is (704) 797-3001. Call ahead to confirm hours or ask about a specific case.
To search in person, go to the courthouse. Bring your ID. Tell the staff who you want to look up. They will search the case management system. If there is a match, you can view the file. The staff can make copies for you. A certified copy costs $25 per document. Plain copies are cheaper.
The courthouse serves all of Rowan County. Towns like Salisbury, Spencer, East Spencer, China Grove, Landis, and Granite Quarry all file cases here. No matter where in Rowan County the offense occurred, the records are at this one location.
| Court |
Rowan County Clerk of Superior Court 210 North Main Street Salisbury, NC 28144 Phone: (704) 797-3001 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/rowan-county |
Note: The clerk office closes on state holidays. Call (704) 797-3001 before visiting to make sure they are open.
Rowan County Criminal Records Online
The North Carolina eCourts portal offers online access to criminal history records. You can search Rowan County cases from any device. Enter a name or case number. The system returns matching results. You will see charges, court dates, and outcomes.
The portal is free for basic case information. You do not need an account to search. Results show case status, charge descriptions, and hearing dates. For detailed documents, contact the Rowan County clerk office directly. The portal does not yet show full case files for all cases.
The NC Judicial Branch website has links to all county court offices. You can find forms, fee schedules, and contact details. If you need help with a criminal history search in Rowan County, the site has a help topics section that covers common questions about court records.
Types of Criminal History Records
Criminal history records in Rowan County cover all levels of criminal charges. The type of charge affects how the case moves through court and what records it creates.
Felonies are the most serious crimes. In Rowan County, felony cases include offenses like murder, robbery, and drug trafficking. These cases go to superior court. The file includes the warrant, indictment, pretrial motions, and judgment. If the case went to trial, there will be more documents. Jury selection notes, trial exhibits, and the verdict form may all be in the file.
Misdemeanors are less serious. Common ones in Rowan County include DWI, simple assault, and larceny. District court handles these. The records are simpler. They show the charge, the court date, any plea agreement, and the sentence. Most misdemeanor cases produce a shorter file than felonies.
All criminal history records in Rowan County are public under NCGS § 132-1. The clerk must let you view them. Sealed cases and juvenile matters are the main exceptions. Expunged records are also removed from public access. Everything else is open to anyone who asks.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
A search at the Rowan County clerk office only covers cases filed in that county. For a broader search, use the North Carolina SBI. The SBI maintains a criminal record database for the entire state. Under NCGS § 114-19, the public can request criminal history checks through the SBI for a fee.
The DPS offender search is another statewide tool. It tracks inmates in the North Carolina prison system. If someone was sentenced in Rowan County and sent to state prison, this tool shows their current status. You can search by name for free.
The SBI check and the local court search serve different purposes. The SBI shows arrests and convictions statewide. The court records in Rowan County show the full case file for cases filed there. Both are useful depending on what you need.
Note: SBI records may not include recent arrests that have not yet been processed. Court records in Rowan County are updated as events happen in each case.
Rowan County Criminal Expunctions
Some criminal records in Rowan County can be expunged. Expunction removes the record from public access. The law is in NCGS § 15A-145 through § 15A-150. Different rules apply to different types of cases.
Common grounds for expunction include:
- Charges that were dismissed
- Not guilty verdicts
- First-time drug offenses under § 15A-145.2
- Offenses committed under age 18
- Certain misdemeanors after a waiting period
To file, get the form from nccourts.gov. Complete it and file it at the Rowan County clerk office. There is a filing fee. A judge reviews the petition. If granted, the criminal history record is erased from public view. The SBI removes it from their database too.
The NC Courts expunctions page has details on each type. Read it before you file. Make sure your case qualifies. The process takes time, so plan ahead.
Public Records Law in Rowan County
North Carolina has clear rules about public access to records. NCGS § 132-1 says records made by government agencies are public property. Criminal history records at the Rowan County courthouse are covered by this law. The clerk must provide access to anyone who asks.
Under § 132-6.2, the response must come in a reasonable time. The law does not set a hard deadline. But the clerk should not delay without a good reason. If you feel your request is being ignored, you can cite this statute.
You can request records in person, by phone, or by mail. For mail requests, write to 210 North Main Street, Salisbury, NC 28144. Include the person's full name and any case details you know. State what type of records you need. Include payment for copies if you want them mailed back to you.
Legal Help in Rowan County
Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Rowan County. They offer free legal help to people who qualify based on income. If you need help with an expunction or understanding your criminal history, call them. They can explain your options and help you fill out forms.
The North Carolina General Statutes are free to read online. Chapter 15A covers criminal procedure. Chapter 132 covers public records. These chapters contain the laws that apply to criminal history records in Rowan County.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Rowan County. Criminal cases are filed where the crime took place. Verify the location before filing or searching in a specific county.