Durham Public Records /Durham County Criminal Records

Durham County Criminal Records

What Is Durham County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Durham County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-1340.16, which establishes the framework for criminal proceedings and record-keeping in the state.

Durham County criminal records include several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Durham Police Department or the Durham County Sheriff's Office. These records exist whether or not charges are ultimately filed.
Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings in the Durham County Courthouse, including arraignments, hearings, trials, and sentencing.
Conviction Records: Documentation of cases resulting in guilty pleas or verdicts.
Incarceration Records: Information regarding time served in the Durham County Detention Facility or state correctional institutions.

It is important to distinguish between different types of criminal records:

Arrest vs. Conviction Records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody but does not indicate guilt. Conviction records document that an individual was found guilty of a criminal offense.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor Records: Felonies are more serious offenses typically punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year. Misdemeanors are less serious offenses generally punishable by less than one year of incarceration.
Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records for individuals 18 and older are generally public. Juvenile records (under 18) are typically sealed and confidential under North Carolina law, with limited exceptions.
Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants indicate current pending arrests, while historical records document past interactions with the justice system.

The primary agencies maintaining criminal records in Durham County include:

Durham County Sheriff's Office
510 South Dillard Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-0900
Durham County Sheriff's Office

Durham County Clerk of Superior Court
510 South Dillard Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 808-3000
Durham County Clerk of Superior Court

Durham Police Department
602 E. Main Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-4427
Durham Police Department

These records typically include detailed information about charges filed, court proceedings, pleas entered, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status. The comprehensive nature of these records serves the public interest in transparency while also supporting law enforcement and judicial functions.

Are Criminal Records Public In Durham County

Criminal records in Durham County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the North Carolina Public Records Law § 132-1, which states that "public records and public information are the property of the people." This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including most criminal records, should be available for public inspection.

The North Carolina Public Records Law specifically provides that:

"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. The following distinctions apply to record accessibility in Durham County:

Publicly Available Records:

Adult arrest records
Court proceedings and calendars
Criminal convictions
Incarceration records
Sex offender registry information
Calls for service reports

Restricted or Limited Access Records:

Active criminal investigations
Sealed or expunged records
Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
Records sealed by court order
Certain domestic violence records
Information that would compromise ongoing investigations
Records containing confidential informant information

The Durham County Clerk of Superior Court maintains most court-related criminal records and makes them available through both in-person requests and online systems. Similarly, the Durham County Sheriff's Office provides access to certain arrest and incarceration records.

It is important to note that while these records are public, accessing them may require following specific procedures and, in some cases, paying applicable fees. Additionally, the use of criminal record information is regulated by various state and federal laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which restricts how such information can be used for employment, housing, and other purposes.

Under North Carolina law, individuals may also petition the court to have certain criminal records expunged or sealed under specific circumstances, as provided in North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-145. When records are expunged, they are removed from public access and treated as if they never existed.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Durham County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Durham County may utilize several methods to access this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining criminal records:

In-Person Requests at the Courthouse:

Visit the Durham County Courthouse Records Division during regular business hours.

Durham County Courthouse
510 South Dillard Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 808-3000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Durham County Courthouse
Complete a records request form, available at the clerk's office.
Provide the following information:
- Full name of the individual (including aliases)
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if known)
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable fees for copies (currently $3.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page).
For certified copies, an additional fee of $5.00 per document applies.

Mail Requests:

Download and complete the Criminal Record Search Request Form from the North Carolina Judicial Branch website.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Enclose a money order or cashier's check for the appropriate fee.
Mail the request to:

Durham County Clerk of Superior Court
Attn: Criminal Records Division
510 South Dillard Street
Durham, NC 27701

Criminal Background Checks:

For official criminal background checks, individuals may:

Visit the Durham County Clerk of Superior Court office in person.
Complete a background check request form.
Provide proper identification.
Pay the required fee (currently $25.00 per name search).
Background checks typically include records from Durham County only, unless otherwise specified.

For statewide criminal history information, requests must be submitted to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI):

North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 662-4500
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-150, certain records may be expunged or sealed and will not appear in standard background checks. Additionally, requestors should be aware that there may be restrictions on how criminal record information can be used, particularly for employment or housing decisions.

How To Find Criminal Records in Durham County Online?

Durham County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of available information may vary by system.

North Carolina Court System Online Records Portal:

The North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a comprehensive online system for accessing court records:

Visit the North Carolina Court System's public records portal.
Select "Durham County" from the jurisdiction dropdown menu.
Search by name, case number, or attorney.
The system provides case information including:
- Case numbers and filing dates
- Charges and statutes
- Scheduled court dates
- Case status and disposition
- Party information
- Document list (documents themselves must be requested in person)

Durham County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search:

The Durham County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate lookup tool:

Access the Durham County Sheriff's Office website.
Navigate to the "Inmate Population Search" section.
Search by name or booking number.
Results include:
- Current inmates in the Durham County Detention Facility
- Booking date and charges
- Bond information
- Scheduled release date (when applicable)
- Court date information

North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Offender Search:

For information on individuals currently under state supervision or incarceration:

Visit the North Carolina Offender Search portal.
Enter the individual's name or offender ID number.
This database includes:
- Current inmates in state prisons
- Individuals on probation or parole
- Released offenders who remain under supervision
- Offender photos and physical descriptions
- Conviction information and sentence details

Durham County Calls for Service Reports:

For recent law enforcement activity:

Access the Durham County Sheriff's Calls for Service portal.
Search by date range, incident type, or location.
Reports include basic information about law enforcement responses but do not contain detailed arrest information.

When using these online systems, users should note the following limitations:

Some case details may be redacted or unavailable online.
Juvenile records are not accessible through public online portals.
Sealed or expunged records will not appear in search results.
Historical records may have limited availability online.
Document images typically require in-person requests.
Registration may be required for certain search functions.

For the most comprehensive criminal record information, combining online searches with in-person requests at the Durham County Courthouse is recommended.

Can You Search Durham County Criminal Records for Free?

Durham County residents and members of the public have several options for accessing criminal records at no cost, in accordance with North Carolina's public records laws. The North Carolina Public Records Act § 132-6 establishes that "every person having custody of public records shall permit them to be inspected and examined at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision."

Free In-Person Record Inspection:

The following locations offer free public inspection of criminal records during regular business hours:

Durham County Clerk of Superior Court
510 South Dillard Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 808-3000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Durham County Clerk's Office

Durham County Law Library
510 South Dillard Street, 4th Floor
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 808-3340
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

While inspection is free, visitors should note:

Valid photo identification is required
Personal items may be subject to security screening
Staff assistance may be limited during busy periods
Recording devices are typically prohibited

Free Online Resources:

Several online portals provide free access to criminal record information:

North Carolina Court System Public Records Search
- Basic case information is available at no charge
- No registration required for basic searches
- Accessible through the North Carolina Judicial Branch website
Durham County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search
- Free access to current inmate information
- No registration or fees required
- Available through the Durham County Sheriff's Office website
North Carolina Offender Public Information Search
- Free access to state prison, probation, and parole records
- No registration required
- Available through the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction
Durham County Calls for Service Reports
- Free access to recent law enforcement activity reports
- No registration required
- Available through the Durham County Sheriff's Office

Fees for Copies and Certified Records:

While inspection is free, the following fees currently apply for copies:

Standard copies: $3.00 for first page, $0.25 for each additional page
Certified copies: Additional $5.00 per document
Complete background checks: $25.00 per name search

These fees are established pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 7A-308, which authorizes court fees for various services.

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, such as for indigent individuals or for specific governmental or educational purposes. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing to the Clerk of Court.

What's Included in a Durham County Criminal Record?

Durham County criminal records contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. These records are maintained by various agencies including the Durham County Clerk of Superior Court, the Durham County Sheriff's Office, and the Durham Police Department. A complete criminal record typically includes the following components:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Mugshot/booking photograph
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency
Booking number
Charges filed at time of arrest
Bail/bond amount and status
Detention facility information
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Incident report number

Court Case Information:

Case number
Court of jurisdiction (District or Superior Court)
Filing date
Charges filed by the prosecutor
Statute citations and offense classifications (felony/misdemeanor)
Plea information
Attorney information (defense counsel and prosecutor)
Judge assigned to the case
Pre-trial motions and rulings
Trial information (if applicable)

Disposition Information:

Final verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
Appeal information (if applicable)
Probation/parole status and conditions
Compliance with court orders

Additional Information:

Active warrants
Protective/restraining orders
Sex offender registration status
DUI/DWI offenses
Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
Pending charges
Probation violations
Post-conviction relief petitions
Expungement applications

The comprehensiveness of criminal records may vary depending on the age of the case, the maintaining agency, and whether any information has been sealed or expunged pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-145 through § 15A-152, which govern the expungement process in North Carolina.

It is important to note that criminal records accessed through different sources may contain varying levels of detail. For example, online court records typically provide basic case information, while complete criminal history reports obtained from the Clerk of Court or the State Bureau of Investigation contain more comprehensive information.

How Long Does Durham County Keep Criminal Records?

Durham County maintains criminal records in accordance with the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' Records Retention and Disposition Schedule. This schedule is established pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 121-5 and governs how long various types of government records must be preserved.

The retention periods for criminal records in Durham County vary based on the record type and severity of the offense:

Court Records:

Felony case files: Permanent retention for Class A-E felonies; 20 years after case closure for Class F-I felonies
Misdemeanor case files: 5-10 years after case closure, depending on offense type
Traffic cases: 3 years after case closure for most offenses
Dismissed cases: 3 years after dismissal
Expunged records: Destroyed pursuant to court order under North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-150

Law Enforcement Records:

Arrest reports: 20 years
Incident reports: 5 years
Investigation case files: 20 years for felonies; 5 years for misdemeanors
Booking photographs: 3 years after release from custody
Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention for felonies; 3 years after case closure for misdemeanors

Detention Facility Records:

Inmate files: 5 years after release
Visitor logs: 1 year
Inmate medical records: 10 years after release

Probation and Parole Records:

Supervision files: 5 years after completion of supervision
Violation reports: 3 years after resolution

It is important to note that while physical records may be destroyed after their retention period expires, electronic indices and basic case information may be maintained indefinitely, particularly for felony convictions. Additionally, certain records of historical significance may be transferred to the North Carolina State Archives for permanent preservation.

The Durham County Clerk of Superior Court is responsible for maintaining court records, while the Durham County Sheriff's Office maintains law enforcement and detention records. Each agency follows the state-mandated retention schedule but may have supplemental policies for records management.

Even after physical records are destroyed according to retention schedules, information about criminal cases may still exist in various databases maintained by state and federal agencies, including the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Lookup Criminal Records in Durham County

Durham County Sheriff's Office

Durham County Court Records

North Carolina Criminal Background Check

Durham County Courthouse Information

Durham County Records Access

Durham Police Department Records

North Carolina Offender Search Database

Durham County Sheriff's Calls for Service Reports

Durham County Government Official Website

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