New Hanover County Felony Records

New Hanover County felony records are stored at the courthouse in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Clerk of Superior Court holds all criminal case files for this coastal county, and the public can access them during normal hours. Felony charges filed here go through the courts of Judicial District 5. You can look up a case at the clerk's office, use public access terminals, or search through the eCourts portal online. This page explains the full process for finding felony records in New Hanover County.

New Hanover County Courthouse Details

The New Hanover County Courthouse sits on Princess Street in downtown Wilmington. This is where all felony cases in the county are filed and heard. Superior Court handles felonies. District Court covers misdemeanors and civil matters. The clerk's office is inside the building. Jan Kennedy serves as Clerk of Superior Court. Her office manages all criminal records, including felony case files.

New Hanover County has full eCourts access. All new case data goes into the statewide digital system. You can still walk into the clerk's office in Wilmington for help. But the eCourts shift also lets you look up felony records from a computer or phone. Public access terminals inside the courthouse offer free searches as well.

New Hanover County has a population of about 225,000. Wilmington is the largest city and serves as both the county seat and a major port town. The courthouse handles a high volume of felony cases each year due to the area's size. Plan for possible wait times if you visit in person.

How to Search Felony Records in Wilmington

There are several ways to search for felony records in New Hanover County. The most direct is to go to the courthouse on Princess Street. The clerk's office has public access terminals. These are free to use. The ACIS system on those screens lets you look up any case by name or case number. You will see charges, court dates, plea deals, and outcomes. Staff at the window can pull a full paper file if you need more detail.

The second way is the NC eCourts portal online. Since New Hanover County is fully live on eCourts, most case data is in the system. Search by name or case number. Results are free for basic look-ups. The portal shows charges, all hearing dates, and the final outcome of each case. It works on any device.

A certified criminal record check costs $25. You must fill out Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it at the clerk's office. Bring a photo ID. By mail, send a money order or certified check. In person, the clerk accepts cash, cards, money orders, and certified checks. The clerk stamps and seals the result, making it an official court document.

Note: Public access terminals at the courthouse show the same data as the online portal, but certified copies can only come from the clerk's office.

New Hanover County Felony Case Process

A felony case in New Hanover County starts with an arrest or a grand jury indictment. Once filed, the case moves to Superior Court. The judge reviews evidence, hears arguments, and issues a ruling. Common felony charges here include drug trafficking, armed robbery, assault, and fraud. Wilmington's port and tourism bring a mix of case types that differ from rural counties.

Each felony charge has a class under North Carolina General Statutes. Class A is the most serious and can carry a life sentence. Class I is the lowest felony level. The court file for each case holds the arrest report, the indictment, motions, and the final judgment. All are public records unless sealed. The Clerk of Superior Court in Wilmington keeps every document.

New Hanover County has specific retention rules for felony records. Class A through E felony records are kept permanently. Class F through I records stay on file for 20 years. Misdemeanor records are kept for 5 to 10 years. Arrest records are retained for 20 years regardless of outcome.

Criminal Record Checks in New Hanover County

A criminal record check at the New Hanover County courthouse covers all charges filed in this county. Felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic cases are all included. The fee is $25 for a certified check. The clerk gives you a sealed document that lists every charge on record for the name you provide.

For a statewide search, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation runs checks across all 100 counties. The SBI fee is $14. You need to submit fingerprints. The SBI is at 3320 Garner Road in Raleigh. Call (919) 582-8660 for questions. A statewide check takes longer but covers the whole state.

The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office also holds arrest records. Their office is at 3950 Juvenile Center Road in Castle Hayne. The records line is (910) 798-4190. The main number is (910) 798-4200. If you need details about an arrest that led to a felony charge, the sheriff's office is a good starting point.

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

This page provides the courthouse address, hours, phone numbers, and court calendar links for New Hanover County.

Felony Record Expunctions in Wilmington

Felony records in New Hanover County stay on file unless a court approves an expunction. North Carolina law allows some felony charges to be erased from a record. The rules depend on the charge, the outcome, and time elapsed. Drug charges and property crimes may qualify. Violent crimes and sex offenses rarely do.

The NC SBI expungement page explains who qualifies and what steps to take. You will need to file a petition with the court. The NC Courts forms page has the AOC-CR-314 form and other petition documents. Once a judge grants the expunction, the record is removed from the clerk's files and the eCourts system. Future searches will not show it.

Other Record Sources for New Hanover County

Beyond the courthouse, there are more ways to search for criminal records tied to New Hanover County. The NC Department of Adult Correction runs an offender search for state prisons and probation. This tool goes back to 1972. It does not cover the county jail. Anyone convicted of a felony in New Hanover County and sent to a state facility will show up in this search.

The Register of Deeds for New Hanover County is at 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 185, in Wilmington. Their phone is (910) 798-4530. This office handles property and vital records, not criminal cases. Do not confuse it with the Clerk of Superior Court.

Crime victims in New Hanover County can track an offender through VINE. This free service sends alerts when an offender is released, transferred, or escapes. Sign up on the site or call the toll-free number. The NC Judicial Branch court records page also has guides for people searching records for the first time.

Note: The New Hanover County Register of Deeds and the Clerk of Superior Court are in separate buildings with different functions.