Washington County Criminal History Lookup

Washington County criminal history records are on file with the Clerk of Superior Court in Plymouth. This eastern North Carolina county borders the Albemarle Sound. Plymouth serves as the county seat. The clerk holds all criminal case files for matters heard in Washington County courts. Clerk Brian Phelps oversees the office. The courthouse on Adams Street is the sole location for criminal court records in this county.

Washington County Criminal Court

The courthouse in Plymouth holds all criminal records for Washington County. The Clerk of Superior Court manages these files. You can visit in person or call to ask about a case. The phone number is (252) 791-4000. The fax number is (252) 791-4001.

Certified copies of criminal records cost $25 each in Washington County. You can pay at the clerk window. Cash and checks are usually accepted. Ask about other payment methods when you call. The clerk can search by name or case number. Bring an ID if you visit in person.

You can also write to the clerk by mail. Send requests to PO Box 901, Plymouth, NC 27962. Include the full name and date of birth. Add a check for $25 per certified copy. The clerk will search and send results back. Allow one to two weeks for processing from Washington County.

Criminal History Search Methods

There are a few ways to search criminal history in Washington County. Online access is available through the state eCourts system. Go to portal-nc.tylertech.cloud to search by name. The portal shows case data from all NC counties.

In-person searches at the Plymouth courthouse give the most complete results. You can review the full case file. This includes documents that may not be in the online system. The clerk staff can pull files and make copies on the spot.

For statewide criminal history, the SBI at ncsbi.gov runs the state repository. Under NCGS 114-19, the SBI collects criminal record data from every law enforcement agency in North Carolina. This includes agencies in Washington County.

Washington County Court Records

Criminal records in Washington County include all cases heard in the courthouse. Felonies go to Superior Court. Misdemeanors go to District Court. Both operate in Plymouth.

A case file typically holds:

• The charging document or indictment
• Motions filed by both sides
• Court orders from the judge
• Plea forms if the case was resolved by plea
• The judgment and sentencing order

All of these are public records under NCGS 132-1. Washington County must allow access to these files. Sealed and expunged records are the exception. Juvenile matters are also closed. But most adult criminal case files in Washington County are open to the public.

Note: Some older records in Washington County may only be on paper. These take longer to locate. Call the clerk at (252) 791-4000 first to ask about the case you need.

Arrest Records in Washington County

The Washington County Sheriff holds arrest records for the county. Town police in Plymouth keep their own records too. An arrest record is different from a court record. It shows the booking, not the case outcome.

Arrest records include the date, the charge, and the person's name. Some agencies also keep booking photos. These records are public in most cases. You can ask the sheriff for copies. Fees may apply.

The NC DPS offender search tool covers people sent to state prison from Washington County. Go to webapps.doc.state.nc.us to search by name. This shows offense details and sentence data for inmates from any county in the state.

Washington County Criminal History Expunctions

North Carolina allows some criminal records to be expunged. The statutes are NCGS 15A-145 through 15A-150. Expunction removes a record from public view. After it is granted, the charge or conviction will not show in most searches of Washington County records.

Dismissed charges are often eligible. Certain old misdemeanors may qualify too. Some low-level felonies can be expunged after a long waiting period. Each type has its own rules. The forms are at nccourts.gov/documents/forms. File the petition with the Washington County clerk. A judge reviews it and decides.

Legal Aid of North Carolina at legalaidnc.org can help with expunction petitions. They serve people with low income across the state. Contact them to see if you qualify for free help with a Washington County record.

State Criminal Record Resources

State agencies hold criminal data that covers Washington County. The NC Department of Public Safety at ncdps.gov oversees prisons and probation. Their offender search at webapps.doc.state.nc.us lets you look up inmates from any county in the state. Search by name or ID number to find offense and sentence details.

The North Carolina courts website at nccourts.gov has guides on court procedures and records access. The general statutes at ncleg.gov set the rules for criminal proceedings in Washington County. Chapters 15 and 15A cover criminal law and procedure. Chapter 132 covers public records access.

Public Records Access

Criminal records in Washington County are public under NCGS 132-1. This is the North Carolina Public Records Act. It says government records belong to the people. Courts must make records available for inspection and copying. Under NCGS 132-6.2, there are time limits on how long an agency can take to respond.

The nccourts.gov court records page explains the rules for access. Most criminal files in Washington County are open. You do not need to be a party to the case. You do not need to give a reason. The clerk can charge a fee for copies but cannot deny access to public records.

Washington County is a small county. The volume of criminal cases is lower than in urban areas. This can make it easier to get records quickly. The clerk staff in Plymouth know the local files well. If you call ahead, they can often have the file ready when you arrive. This saves time for both you and the office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Washington County. Criminal cases must be filed where the offense took place. If the incident was in a neighboring county, contact that county's clerk instead.