Madison County Felony Records

Madison County felony records are on file at the courthouse in Marshall, North Carolina. The Clerk of Superior Court in Judicial District 35 manages all criminal case files for this county. Madison County moved to the eCourts system on July 23, 2025, as a Track 9 county. You can search felony records at the clerk's office in person or use the state online portal from any device. This guide explains how to access felony records in Madison County and what to expect.

Madison County Courthouse in Marshall

The main Madison County Courthouse is at 2 N. Main Street in Marshall. This is the county seat. All felony cases in Madison County are filed and processed through Superior Court at this building. The clerk's office handles all case files. Walk in during business hours to view a felony record. The clerk is Mark Cody.

Madison County is currently using a temporary location at 258 Carolina Lane in Marshall for some court services. Call ahead at (828) 649-2200 to confirm which building handles your request. The fax number is (828) 649-2829. Mail goes to PO Box 217, Marshall, NC 28753. Marshall is a small mountain town along the French Broad River in western North Carolina. The courthouse serves the full county from this one location.

View the Madison County court page on the NC Courts site for calendars and contact details.

That listing shows office hours, phone numbers, and links to criminal and civil court calendars for Madison County.

How to Search Madison County Felony Records

Go to the courthouse in Marshall. Use the free public terminals. Type a name or case number. The system shows charges, court dates, and outcomes. No fee for this kind of search. The clerk can also help you find a specific file if you ask at the window.

You can also search online through the NC eCourts portal. Madison County joined the system in July 2025. Select the county. Run a name search. You get felony charges, hearing dates, and case results. Basic access is free. Certified copies must come from the clerk's office.

A certified criminal record check costs $25 per name. Fill out form AOC-CR-314. Bring your photo ID. The clerk stamps the result with the court seal. Extra document copies cost $0.25 per page.

Note: Older felony cases filed before the eCourts transition in Madison County may not yet appear in the online system.

Felony Records and Madison County Courts

Felony cases in Madison County start with an arrest or a grand jury indictment. The case moves to Superior Court. A judge hears both sides. If there is a conviction, the sentence depends on the felony class under North Carolina General Statutes. The class ranges from A, the most serious, down to I.

Every step creates records. The arrest report, indictment, motions, and final judgment go into the case file. The Clerk of Superior Court in Madison County stores all of these. They are open to the public unless a judge seals them. You can view the full file at the courthouse in Marshall.

Madison County is a rural county. Case volume is lower than in larger areas like Charlotte or Raleigh. This can mean shorter wait times when you visit the clerk's office. The legal process for felony cases is the same as in every other county in North Carolina. The same forms, fees, and statutes apply here as they do across the state.

Statewide Felony Search Options

A local search at the Madison County clerk's office covers only cases filed here. If you need a broader check, the NC State Bureau of Investigation runs background checks across all 100 counties in North Carolina. The SBI office is in Raleigh. A statewide check pulls felony data from every county, not just Madison.

The NC Department of Adult Correction has a public offender search. It covers state prisons and probation. If someone was convicted of a felony in Madison County and went to a state prison, they appear in this database. County jail records are not in this system.

You can also check the NC Sex Offender Registry for anyone registered in Madison County. This is a free search run by the SBI. Crime victims can use VINE to track an offender's custody status in real time.

Expunging Madison County Felony Records

North Carolina law allows some felony charges to be expunged. This removes the record from public view. Not all charges qualify. The NC SBI expungement page lists the rules. Forms are on the NC Courts forms page.

A judge in Madison County reviews each petition. If granted, the felony record is removed from public databases. The process takes several months. Violent crimes and repeat offenses often do not qualify for expunction under current law. Talk to a lawyer or the clerk in Marshall if you are not sure whether your case qualifies for expunction in Madison County.

Getting Help with Felony Records

If you need help with a felony record in Madison County, start at the clerk's office. Staff can explain what forms to use and what fees apply. They cannot give legal advice, but they can point you in the right direction. Call (828) 649-2200 to ask your questions before you visit.

For legal help, the NC Commission on Indigent Defense Services connects people who cannot afford a lawyer with court-appointed attorneys. Legal Aid of North Carolina also serves western counties. Their helpline is (866) 219-5262.

Note: The clerk's office in Madison County can help with forms and procedures but cannot offer legal advice on felony cases.