Johnston County court records in North Carolina are available through several channels. JohnstonCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the official online portals of the state court system, directly at the Clerk of Superior Court's office, and at public terminals in the courthouse. Below is a practical guide to navigating the county's court system, finding hearing calendars, obtaining document copies, and paying fees.
Johnston Court System & Jurisdictions
Johnston County has two main levels of the state court system — Superior Court and District Court. Both are located at the Johnston County Courthouse in Smithfield.
Superior Court handles:
- Criminal cases involving felonies
- Civil lawsuits with claims over $25,000
- Appeals from District Court decisions
District Court covers a much broader range of everyday cases:
- Criminal misdemeanors — from petty thefts to public disturbances
- Traffic citations, including speeding tickets and DWI
- Civil lawsuits up to $25,000
- Family law — divorces, child custody, alimony, protective orders
- Juvenile matters
Claims up to $10,000 fall under the Small Claims Division of the county's District Court. These cases are heard by a magistrate. Probate matters — wills, executor appointments, estate management — are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court as an ex officio probate judge.
Magistrates in the county also perform functions that are not always obvious: issuing arrest warrants, setting initial bail, and hearing summary ejectment cases. If you're unsure which court is handling your case, contact the Clerk of Court's office — they will guide you on where to find the necessary docket.
Johnston Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
You can check the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week in several ways.
- The county page on the NC Judicial Branch website. The Johnston County page provides links to civil and criminal calendars. It also includes court contacts and fine payment information.
- The Clerk of Court's page on the county website. The Court Schedules section contains direct links to the criminal calendar and general hearing schedules, which are regularly updated.
- The eCourts portal. North Carolina has transitioned all counties to the Enterprise Justice (Odyssey) system. Through this portal, you can search for hearing dates by case number or party name.
Calendars are typically divided into criminal, civil, and family sessions. Superior Court criminal cases are often scheduled in blocks for a specific week, while District Court operates daily. If you need information about a specific case that you couldn't find online, call the office directly.
Johnston County Clerk of Superior Court
How to Get a Copy of a Johnston Court Document
Most court records in North Carolina are public. Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed records, and materials closed by a judge's order. You can obtain a copy in three ways.
In person. Visit the Clerk of Superior Court's office in Smithfield. Paper case materials are available for viewing directly in the office, and you can order copies there as well. You'll need the party's name or case number.
Online. Through the NC Courts services portal, you can find basic case information, hearing dates, and status. Full copies of documents with the court seal usually require in-person or mail requests.
By mail. Send a written request to the office at the court's address, specifying:
- The full name of the party (or both parties in a civil case)
- The case number, if known
- The type of document — for example, judgment, order, complaint
- A check or money order for the fee amount
Certified vs. uncertified. A regular copy is suitable for personal review. If the document is needed for submission to another court, employer, or government agency, order a certified copy — it includes the official seal and clerk's signature.
There is a separate procedure for checking criminal history: a certified background check can be ordered from the Clerk of Superior Court's office for one county, or through the NC State Bureau of Investigation for a statewide search.
Johnston Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in North Carolina are set by the General Statutes (specifically, N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 and § 7A-311). Below are the main rates applicable at the Johnston County Clerk of Superior Court's office.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular copy of a court document (per page) | $0.25 |
| Document certification | $3.00 |
| Certified background check (one county) | $25.00 |
| Statewide criminal history (through SBI) | Depends on the type of request; check the SBI website |
| Civil complaint filing fee | Varies depending on the case type; from $96 and up |
The office accepts payment by cash, money orders, and — in most cases — credit or debit cards. Confirm available payment methods directly when contacting, as mail requests usually require a check or money order.
If you need land records or deeds rather than court records, contact the Register of Deeds Office in Johnston County, which has a separate fee schedule. Vital records (birth, marriage, death certificates) are also stored there, not at the court.