Wake County Criminal History Records

Wake County criminal history records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Raleigh. This is the most populated county in North Carolina. The clerk maintains case files for all criminal matters heard in Wake County courts. Raleigh serves as both the county seat and the state capital. The Wake County court system handles a high volume of criminal cases each year. Multiple offices hold records tied to criminal history in this county. The CCBI also keeps arrest data for Wake County law enforcement agencies.

Wake County Criminal History Records

The Clerk of Superior Court holds criminal case files for Wake County. This office stores records for felony and misdemeanor cases. Staff can pull files and make copies for the public. The courthouse sits in downtown Raleigh on Fayetteville Street.

Wake County courts handle cases from all towns in the county. This includes Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, and Wake Forest. Every criminal charge filed in the county goes through this court. You can ask the clerk for case details by name or case number. Certified copies of criminal records cost $25 per document. Call the clerk at (919) 792-4125 to check on a case or confirm hours before you visit.

The North Carolina eCourts system gives broad online access to Wake County criminal records. You can look up cases, view charges, and check court dates through the portal at portal-nc.tylertech.cloud. Basic case data is free. For full documents, contact the clerk or go in person.

Wake County CCBI Arrest Records

The Wake County CCBI, or Bureau of Forensic Services, is a key source for arrest records. This office keeps arrest data for law enforcement across the county. A certified arrest record costs $15 per name searched. You can reach the CCBI at 919-856-6300 or by email at ccbi.arrestrecords@wakegov.com.

Wake County also runs an Online Arrest Records Portal. This is a free public database. It lets you search recent arrests made by Wake County agencies. The portal is useful for basic lookups. It shows names, charges, dates, and booking details. No fee is needed to use this tool. For older or more detailed arrest records in Wake County, contact the CCBI directly.

Note: The CCBI arrest record is separate from the court record held by the Clerk of Superior Court. An arrest record shows the charge at booking. The court record shows what happened with the case after that point in Wake County.

Wake County Criminal History Search

There are several ways to look up criminal history in Wake County. Each method gives different types of information. Your choice depends on what you need and how fast you need it.

For court records, start with the eCourts portal. Go to portal-nc.tylertech.cloud and search by name. You can find case numbers, charges, court dates, and outcomes for Wake County cases. This works for both district and superior court matters.

To search in person, go to 316 Fayetteville Street in Raleigh. Bring a valid ID. Staff at the clerk window can look up cases and print copies. A certified copy costs $25. Plain copies cost less. Older records may take more time to find.

For a statewide criminal history check, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation runs background searches. Go to ncsbi.gov to learn about that process. Under NCGS 114-19, the SBI maintains the state criminal record database. This covers all counties, not just Wake County.

Criminal Records in Wake County

Criminal history in Wake County covers many types of records. Each type is kept by a different office. Court records stay with the clerk. Arrest records stay with law enforcement or the CCBI. Incarceration records are held by state or county facilities.

Wake County criminal court records include:

• Felony case files from Superior Court
• Misdemeanor cases from District Court
• Traffic infractions and DWI charges
• Probation violation hearings
• Orders of judgment and sentencing records

These records are public under the North Carolina Public Records Act, NCGS 132-1. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not need to be part of the case. Some records may be sealed or expunged by court order, but most criminal files in Wake County are open to the public. Under NCGS 132-6.2, courts must respond to records requests within a set time frame.

Wake County Criminal History Expunctions

North Carolina law allows certain criminal records to be expunged. An expunction removes the record from public view. After an expunction, the charge or conviction will not show up in most searches of Wake County records.

The rules for expunction are found in NCGS 15A-145 through 15A-150. Eligibility depends on the type of charge, the outcome of the case, and the person's record. Some dismissed charges can be expunged right away. Certain misdemeanors and low-level felonies may qualify after a waiting period. Not all crimes are eligible.

To file for expunction in Wake County, you must submit a petition to the court. Forms are available at nccourts.gov/documents/forms. The clerk in Wake County can accept the filing. A judge then reviews the petition. If granted, the clerk removes the record from public access. More details on this process are at nccourts.gov expunctions page.

Note: An expunction does not destroy the record entirely. Law enforcement may still have access to expunged records in limited situations under North Carolina law.

State Criminal History Resources

Several state agencies hold criminal history data that includes Wake County records. The SBI at ncsbi.gov runs the state criminal record repository. The Department of Public Safety at ncdps.gov oversees prisons and community supervision.

The NC DPS offender search at webapps.doc.state.nc.us shows current and past inmates. You can search by name or ID number. This tool covers people sentenced to state prison from Wake County and all other counties. It shows offense details, sentence length, and release dates.

For help with a criminal record issue in Wake County, Legal Aid of North Carolina may be able to assist. Visit legalaidnc.org to check if you qualify for free legal help. They can assist with expunction petitions and understanding your record.

Wake County Criminal History Access

Public access to Wake County court records is governed by state law and court policy. Under NCGS 132-1, court records are public unless sealed by a judge. The nccourts.gov court records page explains the rules.

You can get records by mail too. Write to the Clerk of Superior Court, 316 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC 27602. Include the full name and date of birth of the person. Add a check for $25 per certified copy. The clerk will search and mail the results back to you. Allow one to two weeks for processing.

The North Carolina General Statutes at ncleg.gov set the rules for all criminal proceedings in Wake County. Chapters 7A, 15, and 15A cover court structure, criminal procedure, and record keeping. These statutes control what goes into a criminal record and who can see it.

Cities in Wake County

Wake County has many cities and towns. All criminal cases from these areas are filed at the Wake County courthouse in Raleigh. The court serves the full county from one location.

Other towns in Wake County include Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest, Garner, Knightdale, Morrisville, Wendell, Zebulon, and Rolesville. All criminal matters from these areas go through the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Wake 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 county where the crime occurred.