Moore County Felony Record Search

Moore County felony records are maintained at the courthouse in Carthage, North Carolina. The Clerk of Superior Court is in charge of all criminal case files here. Felony charges in Moore County are processed through the courts of Judicial District 29. Anyone who needs to look up a felony case can visit the clerk's office in person or search through the state eCourts platform online. This page walks through the steps to find felony records, the costs involved, and what to expect when you visit.

Moore County Courthouse in Carthage

The Moore County Courthouse is on Monroe Street in Carthage, the county seat. This is where all felony cases are filed, heard, and stored. The building holds Superior Court, District Court, and the clerk's offices. If you need a felony record, go to the Clerk of Superior Court. Susan Hicks has served as clerk since February 2009 and runs the office. Walk in during business hours and ask at the front window.

Moore County adopted the eCourts system in October 2024 as a Track 6 county. All new cases now go into the digital system. Older paper records are still on file at the courthouse. The eCourts shift means you can search many Moore County felony records from your phone or computer without a trip to Carthage.

Moore County has a population near 100,000. It is home to Pinehurst and Southern Pines, well-known resort towns. The courthouse in Carthage serves the whole county. Despite the area's size, the courthouse handles a steady volume of felony cases each year.

Note: The mailing address differs from the street address, so use the P.O. Box if you send a request by mail.

How to Search Felony Records in Moore County

There are two main ways to search for felony records in Moore County. The first is to visit the courthouse in Carthage. Public access terminals in the clerk's office let you search for free using the ACIS system. Look up any case by name or case number. The screen shows felony charges, court dates, and outcomes. If you need a paper copy of a file, the clerk staff can pull it for you.

The second way is the NC eCourts portal. This is the state's online tool for court records. Since Moore County is live on eCourts, most new felony data is in the system. Type in a name or case number. Results are free for basic searches. The portal shows charges, hearing dates, and how each case was resolved.

A certified criminal record check costs $25. You fill out Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it at the clerk's window or by mail. Include a photo ID. The clerk stamps and seals the result. This is the form most courts and agencies accept as proof of a record. Cash, money orders, and certified checks are accepted. Some clerk offices take credit cards now too.

Felony Cases in Moore County Courts

Felony cases in Moore County begin with an arrest or a grand jury indictment. Once filed, the case goes to Superior Court. Judges hear the evidence, and the case ends in a verdict, a plea, or a dismissal. Common felony charges in Moore County include drug offenses, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, and financial fraud. Each charge is ranked by class under North Carolina General Statutes. Class A is the most serious. Class I is the least.

The court file for a felony case includes many parts. You will find the arrest report, the indictment, pretrial motions, witness lists, and the final judgment. All of these are public records in Moore County unless a judge has sealed the file. The Clerk of Superior Court keeps every document and can provide copies. Files for cases that went to trial are often thick, with transcripts and exhibits. Cases that ended in a plea deal tend to be shorter.

Moore County Criminal Record Checks

A criminal record check in Moore County covers all charges filed locally. That means felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic cases. The fee is $25 at the clerk's window. You get a sealed document that shows every charge on record for the name you provide. This is a county-level check only.

For a statewide search, go to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. The SBI runs background checks that scan all 100 counties. Their search costs $14 and requires fingerprints. The SBI is in Raleigh at 3320 Garner Road. You can reach their customer service at (919) 582-8660. A statewide check takes longer than a local search at the Moore County clerk's office. But it covers the whole state, not just one county.

The image below shows the Moore County Courthouse page on the NC Courts website.

Check this page before visiting for up-to-date hours, contact numbers, and links to court calendars.

Felony Record Expunctions in Moore County

Felony records in Moore County remain on file unless the court approves an expunction. North Carolina law allows some felony charges to be erased from a person's record. The rules differ by charge type, outcome, and how much time has passed. Drug charges and certain property crimes have a better chance of being expunged than violent offenses.

The NC SBI expungement page has full details on which charges qualify. The NC Courts forms page has the petition form you need to file. Once granted, the record is removed from both the clerk's files and the eCourts system. It will no longer show up in searches.

If you are not sure whether a charge in Moore County can be expunged, call the clerk's office at (910) 947-1500. They can tell you if the charge type and timeline fit the rules. For legal advice on the process, consult an attorney in Judicial District 29.

Other Record Sources for Moore County

The courthouse is not the only source. The NC Department of Adult Correction has an offender search that covers state prisons and probation. This tool dates back to 1972. It does not include people in the Moore County jail. If someone was convicted of a felony here and sent to state prison, they will appear in the DAC search.

Victims of crime in Moore County can track an offender through VINE. This free service sends alerts when something changes. Releases, transfers, and other updates come by phone, text, or email. Sign up on the VINE site or call their toll-free line.

The NC Judicial Branch court records page is another resource. It explains what records are public, how to get them, and what forms you need. This is helpful if you are new to the process or searching in more than one county.

Note: The state sex offender registry lets you search for registered offenders living in Moore County or anywhere in North Carolina.