Access Orange County Felony Records

Orange County felony records are maintained at the courthouse in Hillsborough, North Carolina. The Clerk of Superior Court stores all criminal case files in this county. Felony charges filed here go through Judicial District 18, which also covers nearby counties. You can search for a felony case at the clerk's office in Hillsborough or use the eCourts portal from any device. This guide explains the steps and costs for finding felony records in Orange County.

Orange County Courthouse in Hillsborough

The Orange County Courthouse is on East Margaret Lane in Hillsborough, the county seat. All felony cases in Orange County are filed and stored at this location. Superior Court handles felonies. District Court covers misdemeanors and smaller civil matters. James Stanford serves as Clerk of Superior Court. His office manages all criminal record files.

Orange County was one of the earlier counties to adopt eCourts. It joined the eCourts system in April 2024 as a Track 4 county. All new case records go into the digital system. Older paper files remain at the courthouse. The eCourts platform lets you search many Orange County felony records from home without a trip to Hillsborough.

Orange County has a population near 150,000. Chapel Hill, home to the University of North Carolina, is the largest town in the county. Hillsborough is smaller but holds the courthouse and most county offices. The court system here handles a steady flow of felony cases tied to both urban and rural parts of the county.

Note: The Orange County Estates office does not take walk-ins. You must call (919) 644-4570 or email estates@nccourts.org to set an appointment.

How to Search Felony Records in Orange County

There are two main ways to search for felony records in Orange County. The first is to visit the courthouse in Hillsborough. The clerk's office has public access terminals. They are free. The ACIS system shows felony charges, court dates, and outcomes for any case. Search by name or case number. The clerk staff can help if you need a full paper file or have trouble with the terminal.

The second way is the NC eCourts portal. Since Orange County went live in April 2024, most new felony data is in this system. Type a name or case number. Results are free for basic look-ups. The portal shows charges, hearing dates, and how the case was resolved. It is open around the clock.

A certified criminal record check costs $25. Fill out Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it at the clerk's window or by mail. Include a photo ID. By mail, use a money order or certified check. In person, the office takes cash, cards, money orders, and certified checks. The clerk stamps and seals the document.

Felony Cases in Orange County Courts

Felony cases in Orange County begin with an arrest or an indictment from a grand jury. Once filed, the case goes to Superior Court. A judge hears the arguments and makes a ruling. Common felony charges in Orange County include drug offenses, assault, larceny, and breaking and entering. The mix of college-town life in Chapel Hill and rural areas around Hillsborough leads to a varied caseload.

Each charge is classified under North Carolina General Statutes. The class sets the sentence range. Class A is the most serious. Class I is the lowest felony level. Court records for each case include the arrest report, indictment, motions, and judgment. All of these are public records in Orange County unless a judge has sealed the file. The clerk keeps every document and provides copies to anyone who asks.

Orange County is part of Judicial District 18, which also includes Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Guilford, Person, Vance, and Warren counties. Judges rotate through the district. The judge on a case in Orange County may be different at each hearing.

Orange County Criminal Record Checks

A criminal record check in Orange County covers all charges filed locally. Felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses are all included. The fee is $25 at the clerk's window. You get a sealed document listing every charge on record for the name you provide.

For a statewide search, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation checks all 100 counties. The SBI fee is $14 and requires fingerprints. Their office is in Raleigh. Call (919) 582-8660 for help. A statewide check covers the whole state, not just Orange County. It takes longer but is more thorough.

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

Check this page for up-to-date hours, contact numbers, and links to court calendars in Orange County.

Expunctions of Felony Records

Felony records in Orange County remain on file unless a court approves an expunction. North Carolina law allows some felony charges to be removed from a person's record after a set period. The rules depend on the charge type, the outcome, and how much time has passed. Drug offenses and certain property crimes are the most likely to qualify. Violent crimes and sex offenses are rarely eligible.

The NC SBI expungement page explains who qualifies and the steps involved. The NC Courts forms page has the petition form. Once granted, the record is removed from the clerk's files and the eCourts system. It will not appear in future searches.

If you are not sure whether a charge in Orange County can be expunged, call the clerk at (919) 245-2500. They can tell you if the charge fits the rules. For legal advice, consult an attorney in Judicial District 18.

Other Ways to Access Orange County Records

The courthouse is not the only way to search for criminal records in Orange County. The NC Department of Adult Correction has an offender search for state prisons and probation. This database goes back to 1972. It does not include county jail data. Anyone convicted of a felony in Orange County and sent to a state facility will show up in this system.

Crime victims in Orange County can track an offender through VINE. This free service sends alerts when an offender is released, transferred, or has another status change. Register on the VINE site or call the toll-free line.

The NC Judicial Branch court records page has general guides on what records are public, how to request them, and what forms to use. It applies to all counties in North Carolina, including Orange.

Note: Chapel Hill is in Orange County, so felony cases from Chapel Hill are filed at the courthouse in Hillsborough.