Pender County Felony Records

Pender County felony records are stored at the courthouse in Burgaw, North Carolina. The Clerk of Superior Court keeps all criminal case files for this county. Anyone can ask to view these records at the clerk's office. Felony cases in Pender County move through Judicial District 13, and the court handles all types of criminal charges. You can search for a felony case in person or use the state eCourts portal from your home. This page covers how to look up and get felony records in Pender County.

Pender County Courthouse Details

The Pender County Courthouse is at 100 S. Wright Street in Burgaw. This is where all felony case files are stored and kept on record. The building holds both the Superior Court and the District Court. The Clerk of Superior Court runs the records office on the main floor. If you need a felony record, you go to the clerk's window and ask for the file by name or case number.

Pender County moved to the eCourts system, which means many records are now in a digital format. You can still visit the clerk in person. The shift to eCourts has made it faster to pull up case data. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you search for free. Staff can help if you are not sure how to use them.

The courthouse is open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Plan to arrive well before close if you need copies.

The Pender County page on the NC Courts site lists court calendars, local rules, and office hours. Check it before you visit.

How to Find Felony Records in Pender County

There are two main ways to look up felony records in Pender County. The first is to go to the courthouse in Burgaw. Walk in and use the public self-service terminals near the clerk's office. These are free to use. You can search by name or by case number to find felony charges, court dates, and results. The clerk's staff can also pull a file for you if you ask at the window.

The second method is the NC eCourts portal online. Since Pender County is on the eCourts platform, felony case data flows into this state system. A search by name or case number will show charges, hearing dates, and how the case ended. Basic case lookups cost nothing. You do not need to sign up for an account to search.

For a certified copy of a felony record, you must go through the Clerk of Superior Court. The cost is $25. You will need a valid photo ID. The clerk accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Some offices now take credit cards as well, but call first to be sure. Certified copies carry the court seal and are the only type accepted for most legal purposes in Pender County.

Note: Standard copies cost $0.25 per page, while certified copies of felony records cost $5.00 per document at the Pender County clerk's office.

Pender County Felony Case Process

A felony case in Pender County starts with an arrest or a grand jury indictment. The case then goes to Superior Court for trial or a plea deal. Felony charges range from Class A through Class I under North Carolina General Statutes. Class A is the most severe. Each class carries its own set of possible sentences, from probation to long prison terms.

Once a case wraps up, the records stay on file at the courthouse. Class A through E felony files are kept forever. Class F through I felony files are kept for 20 years after the case closes. These rules come from state retention schedules. If you need an old felony record from Pender County, the clerk can still pull it as long as it falls within the retention period. Very old records may need more time to find.

The screenshot below shows the Pender County Courthouse listing on the NC Courts website.

This page lists court hours, address, and links to calendars for both criminal and civil sessions in Pender County.

Felony Records and Pender County Courts

Pender County is part of Judicial District 13 in North Carolina. Superior Court handles all felony cases. District Court takes care of misdemeanors and minor civil claims. Both courts share the same building in Burgaw. Judges rotate through the district on a set schedule, so the judge on a felony case may change from one hearing to the next.

Felony records in Pender County stay on file unless a court grants an expunction. Under North Carolina law, some felony charges can be removed from a person's record after a certain time passes. The NC SBI expungement page has details on which charges may qualify and how to start the process. Forms for expunction petitions are on the NC Courts forms page. The process takes time, and not all felonies are eligible for removal.

The Pender County court system also works with the District Attorney's office in Judicial District 13. This office handles all felony prosecutions in the county. If you have questions about a pending felony case, the DA's office may be able to help.

Pender County Criminal Record Checks

A criminal record check in Pender County covers all charges on file, not just felonies. The clerk's office can run this check at the courthouse. The cost is $25 for a certified check. This gives you a document with a court seal that lists every charge on file for that person in Pender County. It is the most complete local option.

For a statewide check, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation runs background searches that cover all 100 counties. The SBI is the central hub for criminal data in the state. A statewide check through the SBI may take longer than a local search at the Pender County clerk's window. You can also request a criminal background check through the NC Courts system for broader results.

Note: Statewide SBI background checks require fingerprints and may take several weeks to process.

Other Ways to Access Records

Beyond the courthouse, there are more ways to look into criminal cases tied to Pender County. The NC Department of Adult Correction runs an offender search that covers state prisons and probation. This tool goes back to 1972 but does not include county jail data. If someone was convicted of a felony in Pender County and sent to state prison, they will show up in this system.

Crime victims in Pender County can sign up for alerts through VINE, the victim notification network. This service sends updates when an offender's custody status changes. You can get alerts by phone, email, or text. The service is free and runs around the clock.

The NC Sex Offender Registry is another tool for Pender County residents. It lists all registered sex offenders in the county and across the state. You can search by name, address, or zip code. The registry is run by the NC SBI and is free to use.