Johnston County Felony Records

Johnston County felony records are held at the courthouse in Smithfield, North Carolina. The Clerk of Superior Court keeps all felony case files for Judicial District 39. You can search these records at the clerk's office or through the state eCourts portal from any device. Johnston County has full eCourts access, which means criminal case data is now stored in a digital system. This page covers how to find felony records in Johnston County, where to go, and what to expect when you search.

Johnston County Courthouse Details

The Johnston County Courthouse stands in downtown Smithfield. All felony cases filed in this county go through Superior Court here. The building holds the Clerk of Superior Court, the District Attorney, and the courtrooms where criminal cases are tried. If you need a felony record from Johnston County, this is where to start.

Johnston County moved to the eCourts system and now has full digital access. This shift means felony case data feeds into the statewide portal. You can still walk into the clerk's office and use the public terminals at no cost. Staff at the window can help pull a case file if you know the name or case number. The courthouse is open on weekdays and closed on state holidays. Call ahead to check hours before you drive to Smithfield for a felony record search in Johnston County.

The Johnston County page on the NC Courts site has court calendars, local rules, and contact numbers for each office in the building.

Searching Felony Records in Johnston County

You can search for felony records in Johnston County two ways. The first is at the courthouse in Smithfield. Walk in and use the free public terminals. These show all criminal cases on file. Type a name or case number. The system returns charges, dates, and outcomes. No fee applies for this type of look-up.

The second way is online through the NC eCourts portal. Johnston County is fully active on this system. Select the county, then search by name or case number. Results show felony charges, hearing dates, and final case actions. Basic online searches are free. If you need a printed copy with the court seal, you must go to the clerk in person or file a request by mail.

For a certified felony record check, the fee is $25 per name. You must fill out form AOC-CR-314 at the clerk's office. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk will run the search and stamp the results. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for any extra documents you need from the Johnston County case file.

Note: Free terminal searches show the same case data as online, but only the clerk can issue a certified copy with the court seal.

Johnston County Felony Case Process

Felony cases in Johnston County start with an arrest or a grand jury indictment. The case moves to Superior Court. A judge hears the facts. Both sides present their case. The state must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the judge sets a sentence based on the felony class under North Carolina General Statutes.

Every step creates a record. The arrest report, the indictment, all motions, and the final judgment are part of the file. These documents stay on record at the Johnston County Courthouse. The Clerk of Superior Court keeps them. Anyone can ask to view a felony case file unless a judge has sealed it. Most files in Johnston County are open to the public.

The image below shows the Johnston County Courthouse listing on the NC Courts website.

This page lists court hours, phone numbers, and links to criminal and civil calendars for Johnston County.

Criminal Records and the Johnston County Sheriff

The Johnston County Sheriff's Office is at 135 S. Third Street in Smithfield. Their phone number is 919-989-5010. The sheriff handles arrests, warrants, and the county jail. Arrest records are separate from court records. The sheriff keeps booking data. The clerk keeps case files. Both are public in most situations.

If you want to check if someone was arrested in Johnston County, the sheriff's office can help. They track bookings, charges at arrest, and bond amounts. For the full court record, including how a case ended, go to the Clerk of Superior Court.

The clerk's office can provide details on fees, forms, and procedures for getting criminal record data from Johnston County.

Statewide Felony Record Searches

The NC State Bureau of Investigation runs background checks that cover all 100 counties. A statewide search pulls felony data from every county, not just Johnston. The SBI is based in Raleigh. You can also check the NC Department of Adult Correction offender search for anyone who served time in a state prison after a Johnston County conviction.

Crime victims in Johnston County can track an offender through VINE, the victim notification network. This free tool sends alerts when someone's custody status changes. It covers county jails and state prisons across North Carolina.

Expunging Felony Records in Johnston County

Some felony charges in Johnston County can be removed from a person's record. This is called expunction. North Carolina law sets strict rules on which charges qualify. The NC SBI expungement page explains the process and lists the forms you need. You can also find the petition forms at the NC Courts forms page.

Not all felonies can be expunged. Violent crimes and certain drug offenses may not qualify. The court in Johnston County reviews each petition. If the judge grants it, the felony record is removed from public view. The SBI updates its database to match. This process can take several months from start to finish.

Note: An expunged record will not show up in a standard search, but sealed records may still be visible to law enforcement in Johnston County.