Court records in Craven County, North Carolina, are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. CravenCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Craven County. You can also use the North Carolina Judicial Branch court records portal, visit the clerk's office in person, or contact the Clerk of Superior Court directly for assistance with specific records.
Craven Court System Overview
Craven County is part of Judicial District 3B in North Carolina's unified court system. District 3B includes Craven and Carteret counties. The North Carolina General Court of Justice operates as a unified system with two trial court divisions — Superior Court and District Court — both of which hold sessions at the Craven County Courthouse. Magistrates serve under the District Court division and handle initial appearances, warrants, and small claims. The Clerk of Superior Court, currently Lexanne Huffman, manages court records, special proceedings, and estate matters for the county.
For detailed courthouse information, visit the Craven County Courthouse page on the North Carolina Judicial Branch website.
Courts Serving Craven
Several courts serve Craven County residents at the state and federal level:
North Carolina Superior Court — District 3B
North Carolina District Court — District 3B
Craven County Magistrate's Office
U.S. District Court — Eastern District of North Carolina
Craven County falls within the Eastern District of North Carolina. Federal cases are typically heard in the following location:
U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Eastern District of North Carolina
There is no separate municipal court in New Bern or other Craven County municipalities; municipal ordinance violations are generally heard in District Court.
What Types of Cases Craven Courts Hear
Courts in Craven County handle a wide range of case types across the Superior Court, District Court, and magistrate divisions:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, infractions
- Civil: General civil litigation, small claims, contract disputes, personal injury
- Traffic: Moving violations, DWI
- Family law: Divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence protective orders, paternity, termination of parental rights
- Probate and estates: Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trust matters
- Juvenile: Delinquency, undisciplined youth, abuse/neglect/dependency
- Special proceedings: Adoptions, name changes, foreclosures
The sections below explain which court division handles each category.
District Court Cases in Craven
The District Court in Craven County hears misdemeanor criminal cases, infractions, and traffic matters. It also has exclusive jurisdiction over juvenile cases, domestic violence protective orders, and most family law matters including divorce, custody, and child support. Civil cases where the amount in controversy is $25,000 or less are heard in District Court. District Court judges preside over bench trials — there is no jury trial right in District Court for civil cases, though defendants in criminal cases may appeal for a jury trial in Superior Court.
Magistrate Court Cases in Craven
Magistrates in Craven County operate under the District Court division. They handle:
- Small claims cases up to $10,000
- Issuance of arrest warrants, search warrants, and criminal summonses
- Initial appearances and bond settings
- Worthless check cases
- Involuntary commitment hearings (initial custody orders)
Small claims actions are filed with the magistrate's office and heard without attorneys in an informal setting. Either party may appeal a magistrate's small claims decision to District Court for a new trial. Magistrates are available around the clock for warrant and bond matters.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Craven
Family Law
Divorce, custody, child support, equitable distribution, paternity, and domestic violence protective order cases are heard in Craven County District Court. North Carolina requires a one-year separation period before an absolute divorce can be granted. NC Vital Records maintains divorce certificates from 1958 to present, and copies may also be obtained from the Clerk of Court.
Probate and Estates
The Clerk of Superior Court in Craven County serves as the judge of probate. Estate administration, guardianship petitions, conservatorship matters, and trust proceedings are filed with and managed by the clerk's office. The clerk appoints executors and administrators, oversees accountings, and resolves disputes related to estates.
Juvenile
Juvenile cases — including delinquency, undisciplined conduct, and abuse/neglect/dependency — are heard in District Court. Juvenile court records are confidential under North Carolina law and are not available through public search portals. Contact the clerk's office for information about accessing juvenile records if you are a party or have a legal right to access.
How Cases Move Through the Craven Court System
- Filing or initiation: Criminal cases begin with a magistrate's order (warrant or criminal summons) or a grand jury indictment. Civil cases start with filing a complaint. Family and estate matters begin with a petition filed with the clerk.
- First appearance or scheduling: Criminal defendants have an initial appearance before a magistrate or District Court judge. Civil cases receive a scheduling order or trial date.
- Pre-trial phase: Discovery, motions, mediation (required in most custody and equitable distribution cases), and plea negotiations in criminal matters.
- Trial or resolution: Cases proceed to bench trial, jury trial, plea, settlement, consent order, or default judgment.
- Post-judgment: Criminal cases may involve sentencing, probation, or appeal to Superior Court (from District Court) or the Court of Appeals. Civil cases may involve enforcement of judgments or appeals.
You can look up upcoming court dates through the North Carolina Judicial Branch website.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Craven
The courts in Craven County are administered by the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge and the Chief District Court Judge for District 3B. The Trial Court Administrator's office coordinates scheduling, jury management, and court operations. Local rules for District 3B govern case management procedures, calendaring, and motion practice — these can be accessed through the Clerk of Superior Court's quick links page.
Public Access to Records
Under North Carolina's Public Records Act (G.S. Chapter 132) and court administrative rules, most court records are open to the public. Exceptions include:
- Juvenile records
- Sealed or expunged records
- Adoption records
- Grand jury proceedings
- Records restricted by court order
You can visit the clerk's office to access paper files and make copies. Public access computer terminals at the courthouse allow free searches of criminal and civil case records. To request a public record from the courts, contact the clerk's office or use the North Carolina Judicial Branch request process.
Attending Hearings
Court hearings in Craven County are generally open to the public. Some proceedings — particularly in family and juvenile cases — may be closed. Contact the clerk's office to ask about remote hearing options, which may be available for certain civil and administrative matters.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Craven
- Court records search portal: The North Carolina Judicial Branch court records page provides access to the statewide search portal for criminal, civil, and special proceeding records.
- Court calendar and hearing schedule: Search for court dates, times, and locations through the NC Judicial Branch.
- Criminal background checks: You can run criminal background checks at no charge using public access computers at any courthouse, or through the statewide online portal.
- Clerk of Superior Court: The Craven County Clerk of Superior Court manages case files, special proceedings, and estate records. Visit in person or call 252-514-4771.
- Register of Deeds: The Craven County Register of Deeds records real estate documents, birth certificates, marriage licenses, and death certificates.
- Vital records: NC Vital Records maintains birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates at the state level. These are not free, searchable public records under North Carolina law.
- NC Department of Adult Correction offender search: Search for state prison offenders, probationers, and parolees through the DAC database, which includes records back to 1972.
- Craven County jail active bookings: View current inmates at the Craven County Detention Facility, including charges, bond amounts, and court dates.
- Craven County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains the county jail, provides court security, and serves legal papers. Contact at 252-636-6620.
- Property and tax records: Search property information through Craven County GIS or the Tax Administration office.