Stokes County Criminal History Lookup
Stokes County criminal history records are held at the Clerk of Superior Court in Danbury. This rural county sits in the northern Piedmont of North Carolina along the Virginia border. Danbury is the county seat and one of the smallest county seats in the state. The clerk keeps all criminal case records from both district and superior court. Stokes County criminal history records are public and can be searched by anyone under state law.
Stokes County Clerk of Court
Clerk Jason Tuttle runs the Stokes County Clerk of Superior Court office. It is at 1012 Main Street in Danbury. The staff handle all court records for the county. This includes criminal history files, civil cases, and estate matters.
Visit during business hours to search records. Bring your ID. You can ask for a search by name or case number. Certified copies cost $25. Plain copies cost less per page. Most requests are filled the same day. Older records may take a bit more time to locate.
The mailing address is PO Box 250, Danbury, NC 27016. You can send a written request. Include the name of the person, the record type, and your payment. Call (336) 593-4400 to check current fees before mailing a request to Stokes County.
| Court |
Stokes County Clerk of Superior Court 1012 Main Street Danbury, NC 27016 Mailing: PO Box 250, Danbury, NC 27016 Phone: (336) 593-4400 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/stokes-county |
Stokes County Criminal History Online
Stokes County is part of Track 9 for the North Carolina eCourts system. The eCourts platform went live in Stokes County in July 2025. This brought major changes to how records are filed and searched. Case data is now in a modern digital system.
The NC eCourts portal lets you search Stokes County criminal records online. Type a name or case number. You get charge details, court dates, and case outcomes. The system is free for basic data. It covers both district and superior court cases.
With the eCourts rollout, Stokes County now has better digital access than before. New filings go straight into the system. Older cases are being added over time. For records not yet in the portal, contact the clerk. An in-person visit to the Stokes County courthouse may still be needed for older criminal history records.
Criminal Court Records in Stokes County
Stokes County criminal history records cover all cases heard in local courts. Felony cases go through superior court. Misdemeanors go through district court. Both courts sit in the courthouse in Danbury. The clerk manages records for both.
A criminal case file in Stokes County holds many documents. The charge starts the file. An arrest warrant or summons comes first. Then come motions, orders, and hearing notes. The judgment ends the case. It shows the outcome and the sentence.
Under NCGS 132-1, these records are public. You can ask to see any criminal case file at the Stokes County courthouse. The clerk must let you view it. You can get copies too. Certified copies cost $25 each. Plain copies are cheaper.
Note: Some records are restricted. Juvenile cases are not public. Sealed records cannot be viewed. Expunged criminal history records no longer exist in the system. Everything else in Stokes County is open to the public.
State Criminal History Resources
The NC State Bureau of Investigation holds a statewide criminal record database. NCGS 114-19 gives the SBI this duty. The database has data from all 100 counties, including Stokes County. A state-level check gives a broader view than a single county search.
You can get your own record from the SBI. Third parties can run a check with your written consent. The SBI check costs a fee. It takes several business days. It covers arrests and convictions from across North Carolina.
Free tools exist too. The NC offender search shows people in state prison or on supervision. The Department of Public Safety runs it. Use it alongside a Stokes County search for a more complete picture of someone's criminal history.
Stokes County Criminal Expunctions
North Carolina law lets some people erase their criminal records. This is called expunction. The statutes are NCGS 15A-145 through 15A-150. If a judge grants it, the Stokes County clerk removes the record from public access.
Common grounds for expunction include:
- Dismissed charges under NCGS 15A-146
- Not guilty verdicts under NCGS 15A-146
- First offenses for young defendants under NCGS 15A-145
- Certain drug convictions under NCGS 15A-145.5
File your petition with the Stokes County Clerk of Superior Court. Get the forms at nccourts.gov. A judge reviews the case. If granted, the record is erased. The SBI updates its files too. The whole process can take months.
Legal Aid of North Carolina offers free help with expunctions. They serve people with low income in Stokes County. They can walk you through the forms and the court process.
Public Records in Stokes County
North Carolina has a strong public records law. NCGS 132-1 says records held by a government office are public. This includes criminal history records at the Stokes County courthouse. NCGS 132-6.2 governs how agencies respond to requests.
You can request records in person, by mail, or by phone. No special form is needed. Tell the clerk what you want. They search and provide it. You can view files at the courthouse for free. Copies cost a fee. Certified copies are $25 in Stokes County.
The NC Courts help page explains your rights. It also explains what records are exempt from public access. Sealed cases, juvenile files, and expunged records are not available. Most adult criminal history records in Stokes County remain open.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Stokes County. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the crime took place. Confirm you are searching the right county for the criminal history records you need.