Beaufort County Felony Record Lookup

Beaufort County felony records are on file at the courthouse in Washington, North Carolina. The Clerk of Superior Court manages all criminal case files for this eastern North Carolina county. Beaufort County sits in Judicial District 2 and was one of the earlier counties to join the state eCourts system, transitioning in February 2024. You can search for felony records in person at the clerk's office or use the online portal. This page walks through the ways to find and obtain felony records in Beaufort County and the resources that are there to help.

Beaufort County Courthouse Information

The Beaufort County Courthouse in Washington is the hub for all court activity in the county. Superior Court handles felony cases. District Court deals with misdemeanors and civil claims. Both courts share the building. The Clerk of Superior Court is on the main floor and handles all record requests, certified copies, and public access to files.

Beaufort County was a Track 3 county and moved to the eCourts system on February 5, 2024. This early transition means most recent felony records are already in the digital system and can be searched online.

How to Search Beaufort County Felony Records

There are two clear paths to search felony records in Beaufort County. The first is a visit to the courthouse in Washington. Walk into the clerk's office and use the free public terminals. These ACIS terminals let you search by name or case number. You will see charges, court dates, and outcomes for felony cases. The clerk's staff can pull a full paper file for you if needed.

The second path is the NC eCourts portal. Since Beaufort County joined eCourts in early 2024, felony case data is well established in the online system. Search by name and filter to Beaufort County. Basic searches cost nothing. You can view case details, hearing dates, and final rulings from any device.

Certified copies cost $25 per check. You must go to the clerk's office for these. Bring a photo ID and pay by cash, check, or money order. The certified document carries the court seal and lists all charges on file for that person in Beaufort County.

Felony Cases in Beaufort County Courts

Felony cases in Beaufort County follow the standard North Carolina process. The case starts with an arrest or grand jury indictment. It then moves into Superior Court for hearings, motions, and a possible trial. The judge sets the sentence based on the charge class under North Carolina General Statutes. Class A is the most serious. Class I is the least.

Drug charges, assault, and property crimes make up a large share of felony cases in Beaufort County. Each case produces a trail of records. The arrest report, indictment, plea, and judgment all go into the file. These documents are public in Beaufort County and can be viewed or copied by anyone, unless a judge has sealed the case.

Note: Sealed cases in Beaufort County do not appear in public searches at the courthouse or on the eCourts portal.

Beaufort County Criminal Record Checks

The Clerk of Superior Court in Beaufort County performs criminal record checks on request. A local check covers charges filed in this county only. The fee is $25 for a certified report. You will need a valid photo ID. The report lists felonies, misdemeanors, and any other criminal filings on record for that person.

The Beaufort County court contact directory has phone numbers for every office in the building. The Clerk of Superior Court is at (252) 946-5182. Superior Court Judges can be reached at (252) 946-5185. The District Attorney is at (252) 946-5190, and the Public Defender is at (252) 946-5195. Call ahead if you have questions about a felony record request.

For a statewide background check, the NC State Bureau of Investigation is the central source. The SBI holds criminal data from all 100 counties. Contact their service unit at (919) 582-8660. A statewide check gives a much wider view than a local search at the Beaufort County clerk's window.

The contact directory for Beaufort County courts is available on the NC Courts website.

This directory lists phone numbers for each court office in the Beaufort County Courthouse.

Expunctions and Beaufort County Felony Records

North Carolina law allows certain felony charges to be expunged from a person's record. The process starts with a petition filed at the Beaufort County Courthouse. A judge reviews the petition and decides if the charge qualifies under current law.

The NC SBI expungement page has details on which charges can be removed. You can get the petition form, AOC-CR-314, from the NC Courts forms page. Once granted, the felony record is removed from both the Beaufort County files and the statewide database. The charge will no longer show up in any public search.

Additional Beaufort County Record Resources

The NC Department of Adult Correction offers a free offender search online. This tool shows inmates in state prisons and people on probation. The database goes back to 1972 but does not include county jail data. If someone served state time after a felony conviction in Beaufort County, this search will show their record.

Victims of crime in Beaufort County can sign up for VINE alerts. VINE sends phone calls, emails, or texts when an offender's status changes. This is free and covers all North Carolina facilities. It is a useful tool for anyone connected to a felony case in Beaufort County who wants to stay updated on an inmate's status.

The Beaufort County Register of Deeds is also at 112 W. 2nd Street in Washington, but that office handles land and vital records, not criminal files. The phone for the Register of Deeds is (252) 946-2323. For felony records, stick with the Clerk of Superior Court.

Note: The offender search from the NC Department of Adult Correction does not include people in the Beaufort County jail or on local probation.