New Hanover County Criminal Records
What Is New Hanover County Criminal Records
Criminal records in New Hanover County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1.4, these records constitute public documents maintained by various law enforcement and judicial agencies.
Criminal records typically fall into several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office or Wilmington Police Department. These records exist whether or not charges are ultimately filed.
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of criminal cases resulting in guilty verdicts or pleas, representing final judgments by the courts.
- Felony Records: Documentation of more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, such as violent crimes, significant property crimes, or drug trafficking.
- Misdemeanor Records: Records of less severe offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year, including minor assaults, petty theft, or traffic violations.
Juvenile records receive special protection under North Carolina law. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 7B-3000, records pertaining to individuals under 18 years of age are generally sealed and not accessible to the public, with limited exceptions for law enforcement and judicial purposes.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in New Hanover County:
New Hanover County Sheriff's Office
3950 Juvenile Center Road
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 798-4200
New Hanover County Sheriff's Office
New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court
316 Princess Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 772-6600
New Hanover County Courts
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 662-4500
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
Comprehensive criminal records typically include documentation of arrests, charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing information, and probation or parole status. The North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains the official court records for criminal cases processed through the New Hanover County court system.
Are Criminal Records Public In New Hanover County
Criminal records in New Hanover County are generally accessible to the public under North Carolina's Public Records Law, codified in North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1. This statute establishes that "public records and public information are the property of the people," and that "the people may obtain copies of their public records and public information free or at minimal cost."
The law specifically states:
"The public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people. Therefore, it is the policy of this State that the people may obtain copies of their public records and public information free or at minimal cost unless otherwise specifically provided by law."
However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. Important distinctions exist regarding what information is available to the public:
Publicly Available Records:
- Court proceedings and calendars
- Adult conviction records
- Booking information and mugshots
- Sex offender registry information
- Final dispositions of criminal cases
Restricted or Limited Access Records:
- Active criminal investigations
- Grand jury proceedings and testimony
- Sealed or expunged records
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records sealed by court order
- Certain domestic violence records
- Information that would compromise ongoing law enforcement operations
The North Carolina Court System maintains that "most court records are public and available for review," though certain exceptions apply to protect privacy and ongoing judicial processes. Court records that have been expunged pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-145 are removed from public access and cannot be disclosed except under specific circumstances outlined by law.
Law enforcement agencies may withhold certain investigative records if disclosure would jeopardize an investigation, reveal confidential sources, or compromise law enforcement techniques. These exemptions are outlined in North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1.4, which governs criminal investigation records and intelligence information.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In New Hanover County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in New Hanover County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches, each providing different types of information.
For in-person requests at the courthouse:
- Visit the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM).
- Complete a record search request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth.
- Pay applicable search fees ($25 for certified copies, $3 for uncertified copies per page).
- Present valid government-issued photo identification.
- Specify the exact records being requested (case numbers are helpful but not required).
New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court
316 Princess Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 772-6600
New Hanover County Courts
For criminal background checks through the Sheriff's Office:
- Visit the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office Records Division.
- Complete the required request form with the subject's information.
- Pay the applicable fee ($15 for each name searched).
- Present valid identification.
- Allow 3-5 business days for processing.
New Hanover County Sheriff's Office Records Division
3950 Juvenile Center Road
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
(910) 798-4190
New Hanover County Sheriff's Office
For statewide criminal history information:
- Submit requests to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
- Complete form SBI-46, available on the SBI website.
- Include fingerprints taken by a law enforcement agency.
- Pay the required fee ($14 per record check).
- Mail the completed package to the SBI's Criminal Information and Identification Section.
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Information and Identification Section
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 662-4500
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
For sex offender registry information, the public may access the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry maintained by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. This database is searchable by name, location, or school campus.
How To Find Criminal Records in New Hanover County Online?
New Hanover County residents and interested parties may access various criminal records through several online portals maintained by state and county agencies. These digital resources provide convenient access to public information without requiring in-person visits to government offices.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch offers the North Carolina Court System's Public Records Search, which serves as the primary online portal for accessing court records, including criminal cases. This system allows users to:
- Search by defendant name, case number, or attorney
- Access criminal case summaries and docket information
- View case status and scheduled court dates
- Identify charges filed and case dispositions
- Check judgment information and sentencing details
The search portal requires no registration for basic searches, though certain detailed information may require creating a user account. The system contains records from all 100 North Carolina counties, including New Hanover County.
For current inmate information, the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office maintains an Inmate Inquiry System, which provides:
- Current custody status of individuals
- Booking information and charges
- Bond amounts
- Scheduled court dates
- Release information when applicable
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety offers the Offender Public Information Search, which allows users to:
- Search for current and former state prison inmates
- Access information on probationers and parolees
- View conviction information and sentence details
- Check supervision status and conditions
- Identify correctional facility locations
For sex offender information, the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry provides a searchable database of registered sex offenders residing in New Hanover County and throughout the state.
It is important to note that while many records are available online, certain documents may only be accessible through in-person requests, particularly older records that have not been digitized or records containing sensitive information that requires redaction before release.
Can You Search New Hanover County Criminal Records for Free?
New Hanover County provides several options for free access to criminal records, in accordance with North Carolina's Public Records Law. Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6.2, agencies may charge only the "actual cost" of providing copies of public records, but inspection of records must be permitted at no charge.
The statute specifically states:
"Every custodian of public records shall permit any record in the custodian's custody to be inspected and examined at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision by any person, and shall, as promptly as possible, furnish copies thereof upon payment of any fees as may be prescribed by law."
Free access to criminal records is available through the following methods:
In-Person Inspection:
- The New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court allows free public inspection of non-confidential court records during regular business hours.
- Visitors may view records on public access terminals at the courthouse without charge.
- Staff assistance for locating records is provided at no cost, though there may be wait times during busy periods.
Online Resources:
- The North Carolina Court System's Public Records Search provides free basic searches of court records, including criminal cases.
- The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office website offers a free inmate lookup service.
- The North Carolina Department of Public Safety maintains a free Offender Public Information Search for current and former inmates.
- The North Carolina Sex Offender Registry is accessible at no cost to the public.
While inspection and basic searches are free, fees apply for:
- Printed copies of records ($3 per uncertified page)
- Certified copies of court documents ($25 per certification)
- Background checks conducted by law enforcement agencies ($15-25)
- Expedited processing of record requests
- Specialized searches requiring extensive staff time
These fees are established pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes and are subject to change. The fee structure is designed to recover the actual cost of producing records rather than generating revenue.
What's Included in a New Hanover County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in New Hanover County typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are maintained in accordance with North Carolina state law and include several categories of information.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph when available
- Current and previous addresses
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount and status
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction (District or Superior Court)
- Judge assigned to the case
- Charges filed by the prosecutor with corresponding statute numbers
- Classification of offenses (felony class A-I or misdemeanor class 1-3)
- Plea information
- Attorney information (public defender or private counsel)
- Pre-trial motions and rulings
Disposition and Sentencing:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date if applicable
- Sentencing details including:
- Incarceration length and facility
- Probation terms and conditions
- Fines, court costs, and restitution ordered
- Community service requirements
- Treatment or educational program mandates
- Appeal information if applicable
- Probation or parole status and conditions
Additional Information:
- Active warrants or pending charges
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
- Probation or parole violations
- Post-conviction relief applications
- Expungement information (if applicable)
The comprehensiveness of criminal records may vary depending on the age of the case, the maintaining agency, and whether certain information has been sealed or expunged pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-145. Records maintained by the courts may contain different details than those kept by law enforcement agencies or the Department of Public Safety.
How Long Does New Hanover County Keep Criminal Records?
New Hanover County maintains criminal records according to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' Records Retention Schedule. This schedule, established under North Carolina General Statutes § 121-5, provides the legal framework for the preservation and disposition of government records, including criminal records.
The retention periods for various criminal records in New Hanover County are as follows:
Court Records:
- Felony case files: Permanent retention for serious felonies (Class A-E); 20 years after case closure for Class F-I felonies
- Misdemeanor case files: 5-10 years after case closure, depending on offense classification
- Traffic cases: 3 years after case closure for most violations
- Domestic violence cases: 25 years after case closure
- Search warrants: 2 years after execution or issuance
- Grand jury records: Permanent retention
- Court calendars and dockets: 3 years
Law Enforcement Records:
- Arrest records: 20 years after arrest date
- Incident/investigation reports: 20 years for felonies; 5 years for misdemeanors
- Criminal histories: Permanent retention
- Sex offender registration information: Permanent retention
- Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention
- Booking photographs: 3 years after release from custody
- 911 recordings: 30 days minimum; longer if part of an investigation
Corrections Records:
- Inmate case files: 5 years after release from custody
- Jail registers: Permanent retention
- Visitor logs: 1 year after last entry
- Inmate medical records: 10 years after release
Probation and Parole Records:
- Supervision case files: 3 years after termination of supervision
- Violation reports: 5 years after creation
These retention periods represent minimum requirements. In practice, many records are kept longer, particularly those with historical significance or those maintained in electronic formats where storage constraints are less restrictive. Additionally, records related to unsolved crimes or ongoing investigations may be retained indefinitely.
It is important to note that expunged records are destroyed according to court orders pursuant to various provisions in North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 15A. When a record is expunged, all documentation related to the arrest, charge, or conviction is removed from public access and either physically destroyed or sealed.
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and the State Archives provide guidance to county officials regarding the proper maintenance and eventual disposition of criminal records in accordance with state law.
Lookup Criminal Records in New Hanover County
New Hanover County Court Records
North Carolina Judicial Branch Court Records Search
North Carolina Offender Search Database