Criminal records in Craven County, North Carolina, can be accessed through several channels. CravenCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for cases filed in the county. Beyond that, the North Carolina Judicial Branch court portal, the Craven County Sheriff's Office, and the Clerk of Superior Court's office each provide access to criminal case data, jail booking records, and background check resources.
How to Search Criminal Records in Craven
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Craven County. What you need to get started depends on the method you choose, but having the person's full legal name is essential. A date of birth, case number, or offense date will narrow results significantly.
Online Search Options
- CravenCourt.us — Search for publicly available criminal court record information associated with Craven County cases. You can search by name or case number.
- North Carolina Judicial Branch Portal — The NC Courts search portal allows statewide lookups of criminal, civil, and special proceeding cases. Search by defendant name, case number, or citation number.
- NC Court Dates Search — Use the Court Dates tool to find upcoming court appearances, hearing dates, and courtroom assignments for Craven County cases.
- Craven County Active Bookings — The Sheriff's Office publishes a list of active jail bookings showing current inmates, charges, bond amounts, and court dates. Juveniles and federal inmates are excluded.
- NC Department of Adult Correction Offender Search — The DAC Offender Search provides information on state prison inmates, probationers, and parolees with records dating back to 1972. It does not include county jail data.
In Person
- Visit the Craven County Courthouse and use the public access computers in the Clerk of Superior Court's office. These terminals allow free searches of criminal records for yourself or others, county-wide or statewide.
- Paper case files can be reviewed at the clerk's office in the county where the case was filed. Staff can assist with locating records.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Craven County Clerk of Superior Court specifying the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available).
- For a state-level criminal history check, requests can be directed to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), which maintains the state criminal history repository. Fingerprint-based checks are typically required for official background checks.
You can also review the NC Judicial Branch's guide on criminal background checks for additional details on what is available and how to request it.
Search Craven Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. North Carolina uses a standardized case numbering format across all counties:
- County code — A two-digit number identifying the county. Craven County's code is 25.
- Case type prefix — Indicates the type of case. Common criminal prefixes include:
- CRS — Superior Court criminal case (felonies)
- CRD — District Court criminal case (misdemeanors)
- IF — Infraction
- CR — General criminal (older format)
- Year — Two-digit filing year
- Sequential number — A unique number assigned in order of filing
For example, a case number like 25 CRS 001234 would indicate a felony-level criminal case filed in Craven County. Enter the full case number into the NC Courts search portal or provide it to the clerk's office for the fastest retrieval.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Craven
Criminal case records in Craven County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The North Carolina General Statute section the defendant is accused of violating (e.g., N.C.G.S. § 14-72 for larceny) |
| Severity | Classified as felony (Classes A–I), misdemeanor (Classes A1–3), or infraction |
| Original charge | The charge as initially filed by law enforcement or the district attorney |
| Amended charge | A charge that has been modified through plea negotiation or prosecutorial discretion |
Case Status
- Pending — The case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active — Court proceedings are ongoing
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, etc.)
- Closed — All obligations have been fulfilled and the case is no longer active
Hearing Types
- First appearance — Initial court appearance where charges are read and bond is addressed
- Probable cause hearing — Determines whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed (felony cases)
- Arraignment — Defendant enters a formal plea in Superior Court
- Pre-trial hearing — Addresses motions, discovery, and plea discussions
- Trial — Bench or jury trial on the merits
- Sentencing — Court imposes punishment after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing — Monitors probation compliance or other post-disposition conditions
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court
- Dismissed with leave — Dismissed but may be refiled
- Prayer for judgment continued (PJC) — Judgment is deferred; no sentence imposed at that time
- Deferred prosecution — Case is held in abeyance pending completion of conditions
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Craven
Certified copies of criminal court records in Craven County are issued by the Clerk of Superior Court. These are official copies bearing the court seal, suitable for legal proceedings, employment verification, or licensing purposes.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Superior Court's office at the Craven County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Staff can locate case files and certify copies while you wait, depending on volume.
- By mail: Send a written request to the clerk's office that includes the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and the specific records you need. Include a check or money order for the applicable fees. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mailing.
- Online: The NC Judicial Branch public records request page provides guidance on requesting court records. Some records may be available through the online portal, though certified copies generally require contact with the clerk's office directly.
What You Need
- Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Defendant's full legal name
- Case number or sufficient identifying details (date of birth, offense date)
- Payment for copy and certification fees
For state-level criminal history records, contact the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Fingerprint-based background checks require submission of a fingerprint card and a separate fee.
Craven County Clerk of Superior Court
Craven County Sheriff's Office
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Craven
Fees for criminal record copies in North Carolina are set by statute under N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 and the Administrative Office of the Courts fee schedule. The following table reflects standard court record fees applicable in Craven County:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies of court records (not certified) | $0.25 per page |
| Certification of a document | $3.00 per certificate |
| Criminal record search at the clerk's office (public access terminal) | No charge |
| SBI state criminal history check (name-based) | Varies; contact SBI |
| SBI fingerprint-based background check | Varies; contact SBI |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Often processed the same day, depending on the clerk's office workload and whether the records are readily accessible.
- Mail requests: Typically 5–10 business days after the clerk's office receives the request and payment. Complex or older records may take longer.
- Online portal searches: Results are generally available immediately for cases in the system.
- SBI background checks: Processing times vary. Contact the SBI directly for current turnaround estimates.
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the Craven County Clerk of Superior Court before submitting payment.