Criminal records in Carteret County, North Carolina, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. CarteretCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The North Carolina Judicial Branch portal for Carteret County provides court calendars, contact directories, and case search access. The Carteret County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Superior Court also serve as key access points for arrest records, inmate data, and official court documents.
How to Search Criminal Records in Carteret
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Carteret County. What you'll need to start depends on the method, but having the person's full legal name, date of birth, or a case number will make any search more effective.
Online Search Options
- CarteretCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information by name or case details.
- North Carolina Courts Search Portal — The NC Judicial Branch court records page provides access to the statewide eCourts portal, where you can search by name, citation number, or county for criminal case information filed in Carteret County.
- Carteret County Inmate Search — The Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate inquiry tool that shows current inmates held at the Carteret County Detention Center in Beaufort. This covers booking details and current charges but does not serve as a full criminal history search.
- NC Department of Adult Correction Offender Search — The state offender search tool allows you to look up individuals currently or formerly in the North Carolina state prison system, on probation, or on parole.
In Person
- Visit the Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse in Beaufort. Public access terminals may be available for searching case records. You can also ask the clerk's staff for assistance locating specific criminal case files.
- For arrest reports, incident reports, and jail booking records, visit the Carteret County Sheriff's Office or call (252) 728-8400.
By Mail or Written Request
- Clerk of Superior Court: Send a written request specifying the defendant's full name and any available identifiers (date of birth, case number). Contact the Clerk of Court at (252) 504-4400 for details on what to include.
- Carteret County Public Records Request: The county accepts public records requests online for items such as arrest records. For incident reports and jail bookings, the Sheriff's Office handles those requests directly.
- State Criminal History (SBI): For a comprehensive North Carolina criminal background check, submit a request to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. This typically requires fingerprints and a processing fee.
What You'll Need
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required)
- Case number (if known)
- Government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests or certified copies)
Search Carteret Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by that number is the fastest way to pull up a specific record. North Carolina uses a standardized case numbering format across all counties, including Carteret.
A typical North Carolina criminal case number looks like this: 25 CRS 001234. Here's what each part means:
- 25 — The two-digit year the case was filed (2025 in this example).
- CRS — The case type code. Common criminal codes include:
- CRS — Criminal Superior Court
- CRD — Criminal District Court
- IF — Infraction
- CR — Criminal (general, used in older records)
- 001234 — A sequential file number assigned by the clerk's office.
Enter the full case number into the NC Courts search portal to retrieve charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and other case details. Partial case numbers may not return results — use the complete number when possible.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Carteret
Criminal case records in Carteret County contain several key data points. Understanding what each one means helps you interpret search results accurately.
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The North Carolina General Statute section the defendant is charged under (e.g., N.C.G.S. § 14-72 for larceny). |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction. Felonies are classified from Class A (most serious) through Class I. Misdemeanors range from Class A1 through Class 3. |
| Amended Charges | A charge may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations. The amended charge replaces the original for sentencing purposes. |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting resolution.
- Active — Court proceedings are underway.
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, etc.).
- Closed — All proceedings and obligations (such as probation) are complete.
Hearing Types
- First Appearance / Arraignment — The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea.
- Preliminary Hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases).
- Pre-Trial Hearing — Attorneys address motions, evidence issues, or plea negotiations.
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury.
- Sentencing — The court imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review Hearing — The court checks on compliance with probation or other conditions.
You can look up upcoming court dates for Carteret County through the NC Judicial Branch website.
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict.
- Not Guilty — The defendant was acquitted at trial.
- Dismissed — The charges were dropped by the prosecution or the court.
- Dismissed with Leave — Dismissed but may be refiled.
- Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) — A finding of guilt without formal sentencing; commonly used in North Carolina for certain misdemeanors.
- Deferred Prosecution — The case is paused while the defendant completes certain conditions.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Carteret
Certified copies of criminal court records carry an official seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. In Carteret County, the office that handles your request depends on the type of record you need.
Court Records (Case Files, Judgments, Dispositions)
Request certified copies from the Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court. You can make your request in person at the courthouse or by mail. Include the defendant's full name, case number, and the specific documents you need. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for in-person requests.
Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court
For general guidance on requesting court records statewide, see the NC Judicial Branch public records request page.
Arrest Reports, Incident Reports, and Booking Records
These are maintained by the Carteret County Sheriff's Office. Copies of crime reports can generally be obtained from the Sheriff's Office Records Division.
Carteret County Sheriff's Office
State Criminal History Reports
A comprehensive background check covering all North Carolina counties is available through the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). Requests typically require a completed application, fingerprint card, and a fee. These are often used for employment screening and professional licensing.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Carteret
Fees for criminal record copies in North Carolina are set by statute. The following table reflects standard charges under N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 and related fee schedules.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copy of court record | $0.25 per page | Standard photocopy rate per N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 |
| Certified copy of court record | $3.00 for certification + $0.25 per page | Certification fee applies per document certified |
| State criminal history check (SBI) | $14.00 | Non-fingerprint name-based search; fingerprint-based checks may cost more |
| Sheriff's Office report copies | Varies | Contact the Sheriff's Office at (252) 728-8400 for current fees |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the Clerk's office: Often processed the same day for simple record copies, depending on staff availability and the volume of records requested.
- Mail requests to the Clerk's office: Typically 5–10 business days, though complex or older records may take longer.
- Sheriff's Office records: Processing times vary. The county aims to provide public records in electronic format when possible with minimal delay.
- SBI state background checks: Name-based checks are usually returned within 1–3 business days. Fingerprint-based checks may take several weeks.
Payment methods accepted at the Clerk's office and Sheriff's Office may include cash, check, or money order. Confirm accepted payment types before visiting or mailing a request.