Washington County Felony Records

Washington County felony records are kept at the courthouse in Plymouth, North Carolina. The Clerk of Superior Court is the official record keeper for all court cases filed in this county. Washington County falls in Judicial District 2 and sits along the Roanoke River in the eastern part of the state. Residents and others who need to search for a felony case can visit the clerk's office during business hours or use the NC eCourts portal online. This page covers the ways to access felony records in Washington County.

Washington County Courthouse in Plymouth

The Washington County Courthouse stands on Adams Street in Plymouth. All criminal and civil court business runs through this building. Superior Court handles felony cases. District Court hears misdemeanors and minor civil matters. The Clerk of Superior Court, Brian Phelps, runs the records office and serves the public at the front counter.

Washington County transitioned to the NC eCourts system on February 5, 2024, as a Track 3 county. New filings go straight into the digital platform. Older records have been added as well. This means felony cases from Washington County can now be searched online through the same statewide tool that ties together all 100 North Carolina counties. The shift to eCourts does not change the in-person process. You can still walk into the clerk's office in Plymouth and ask for help with a record.

The Washington County Courthouse page on the NC Courts site lists calendars, contact info, and local rules for the court.

Finding Felony Records in Plymouth

There are two main ways to search for felony records in Washington County. The first is in person. Go to the courthouse at 120 Adams Street in Plymouth. Public access terminals inside let you look up any case by name or case number. There is no cost. The screens show the charges, court dates, and how the case ended. Staff can also pull a paper file if you need it.

The second is online through the eCourts portal. Enter a name and the system shows all cases tied to that person in any county. You can filter for Washington County alone. Basic lookups are free. This works from any device with an internet connection.

To get a certified copy, you must visit the clerk in person. The fee is $25. Bring a valid photo ID. Cash and checks are the most common payment forms. The clerk stamps the document with the court seal, which makes it official.

Note: The Washington County Clerk's office also provides a depository for will safekeeping at no charge, though that service is separate from felony record requests.

Felony Case Process in Washington County

A felony case in Washington County starts with an arrest or a grand jury indictment. The case then moves to Superior Court. A judge oversees the trial. Common felony charges in eastern North Carolina include drug crimes, burglary, assault, and fraud. Each charge class is set by North Carolina General Statutes, which define the sentence range for each offense.

Every felony file in Washington County holds the arrest report, the indictment, motions from both sides, and the final judgment. All of these documents are public unless a judge seals the case. Washington County is a small, rural county. The case volume is low compared to larger areas, so the clerk's office in Plymouth can often handle requests on the same visit.

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

This page gives the address, phone, and links to court calendars for Washington County.

Washington County Criminal Checks

A criminal record check at the Washington County courthouse covers all charges on file for a person. That includes felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic cases. The clerk runs the check and hands you a stamped, certified document. It costs $25.

For a search that goes beyond Washington County, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation runs background checks across all 100 counties. The SBI sits in Raleigh. Their checks pull from every courthouse in the state. A statewide SBI check takes longer than a walk-in search at the Plymouth clerk's window, but it covers much more ground. The NC Courts records help page has more details on the different types of record searches.

The Washington County Clerk of Court website provides contact information and service details.

Use this page to reach the clerk's office before your visit to Plymouth for a felony record request.

Other Record Tools for Washington County

The NC Department of Adult Correction runs an offender search. It covers state prisons and supervised probation back to 1972. If someone got a felony conviction in Washington County and was sent to a state facility, they will show up. Local jail records are not in this system.

Crime victims in Washington County can sign up for VINE alerts. This free service sends a message when an offender's status changes. You need a name or ID number to register. Alerts come by phone, email, or text.

Some felony charges can be cleared through expunction. The NC SBI expungement page explains which charges qualify. Petition forms are on the NC Courts forms page. The process starts at the clerk's office in Plymouth.

The NC Sex Offender Registry is another free tool. It lets you search by county or by a street address in the Plymouth area. The registry shows the name, photo, address, and offense for each registered person. Washington County is a small community, so this tool gives residents a clear view of who lives nearby. The registry is run by the NC SBI and is updated on a regular basis.

Note: The offender search from the NC Department of Adult Correction does not include people held at a local Washington County facility.