Criminal records in Durham County, North Carolina, can be accessed through several online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. DurhamCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the North Carolina Judicial Branch court portal, the Durham County Sheriff's Office, and the Durham County Clerk of Superior Court, each of which maintains records related to criminal cases filed or processed locally.
How to Search Criminal Records in Durham
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Durham County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and whether you need an official certified copy or just case details.
Search Through DurhamCourt.us
Start at DurhamCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information in Durham County. You can search by the defendant's name or case number to locate criminal case details.
Search Online Through Official Portals
- North Carolina eCourts / Odyssey Portal: All 100 North Carolina counties now use the Enterprise Justice (Odyssey) case management system. You can search Durham County criminal cases by name, case number, or attorney through the eCourts portal.
- Durham County Records Access: The Durham County Clerk of Superior Court records access page provides guidance on searching case information and court records online.
- Inmate Population Search: The Durham County Sheriff's Office maintains an Inmate Population Search tool showing current jail inmates, including booking details and charges.
- NC Offender Search: The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction offers an offender search tool for state prison inmates, probationers, and parolees.
Search In Person
- Visit the Durham County Courthouse and use the public self-service terminals in the Clerk of Superior Court's office to look up case information, including judgment records.
- Bring the defendant's full legal name or case number for the most accurate results.
Search by Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Durham County Clerk of Superior Court for criminal record searches or certified copies.
- For statewide criminal history checks, requests can be directed to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), which serves as the state criminal history repository.
- The City of Durham also accepts public records requests for police reports and related law enforcement records.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known)
- County where the case was filed
Search Durham Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by that number is the fastest way to pull up a specific criminal case in Durham County.
North Carolina case numbers follow a standard format:
- County code: A two-digit number identifying the county (Durham County is 30)
- Case type prefix: Letters indicating the type of case — for example, "CRS" for Superior Court criminal cases and "CRD" for District Court criminal cases
- Year: A two-digit year indicating when the case was filed
- Sequence number: A sequential number assigned to the case within that year
A Durham County criminal case number might look like 30 CRS 001234, meaning it was filed in Durham County (30), in Superior Court criminal division (CRS), with a sequential filing number of 001234. Enter the full case number into the eCourts search portal or provide it to the clerk's office for the most direct lookup.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Durham
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The North Carolina General Statute section the defendant is charged under (e.g., N.C.G.S. § 14-72 for larceny) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — felonies are classified A through I; misdemeanors are classified A1 through 3 |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion before disposition |
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case has been filed but not yet resolved |
| Active | Case is currently being processed through the court |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, etc.) |
| Closed | All proceedings and obligations related to the case are complete |
Hearing Types
- First appearance: Defendant is informed of charges and bail is addressed
- Probable cause / preliminary hearing: A judge determines whether enough evidence exists to proceed (felony cases)
- Arraignment: Defendant enters a formal plea in Superior Court
- Pre-trial hearing: Attorneys address motions, evidence issues, and potential plea agreements
- Trial: Case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing: Judge imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing: Court checks compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was convicted of the charge |
| Not guilty | Defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges were dropped by the prosecution or court |
| Dismissed with leave | Charges dismissed but may be refiled |
| Prayer for judgment continued (PJC) | Guilt is found but sentencing is deferred — common in North Carolina |
| No contest (nolo contendere) | Defendant does not admit guilt but accepts the conviction |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Durham
Through the Clerk of Superior Court
The Durham County Clerk of Superior Court handles certified criminal background checks for single-county searches. You can request a certified criminal record check for yourself or for another person through this office.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides detailed guidance on the criminal background check process, including what to expect when requesting records through the clerk's office.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Superior Court office at the Durham County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Clerk of Superior Court with the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and a check or money order for the applicable fee.
- Through the SBI: For statewide criminal history records, submit a request to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Fingerprint-based checks may be required for certain employment or licensing purposes.
What You Need
- Valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Subject's full legal name and date of birth
- Payment for applicable fees
Durham County Clerk of Superior Court
Durham County Sheriff's Office (for jail records and sheriff's office records requests)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Durham
Fees for criminal record copies and certified searches in Durham County are set by North Carolina General Statutes. The following table reflects standard fees established under N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 and related statutes.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified criminal record search (single county, through Clerk of Superior Court) | $25.00 |
| Copies of court documents (uncertified) | $0.25 per page |
| Certification of a document | $3.00 |
| SBI state criminal history check (name-based) | Varies; contact SBI for current fee |
| SBI fingerprint-based criminal history check | Varies; contact SBI for current fee |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the clerk's office: Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on volume.
- Mail requests: Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mailing.
- SBI criminal history checks: Processing times vary. Name-based searches are typically faster than fingerprint-based submissions.
Fees are generally payable by cash, check, or money order at the clerk's office. Contact the Durham County Clerk of Superior Court directly to confirm accepted payment methods and current processing times before submitting your request.