Criminal records in Johnston County, North Carolina, are available through several channels. JohnstonCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official state court portal, the Clerk of Superior Court's office in Smithfield, and the Johnston County Sheriff's Office. Law enforcement agencies and the state criminal history repository also provide access to relevant data.
How to Search Criminal Records in Johnston
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Johnston County — online, in person, and by mail.
Through JohnstonCourt.us
Start with JohnstonCourt.us. Enter the person's full name or case number to view publicly available information about criminal cases in the county.
Online through Official Portals
- North Carolina eCourts Portal — all counties in the state use the Enterprise Justice (Odyssey) system. Through this portal, you can search court records by name or case number.
- Johnston County Page on the judicial branch website — Johnston County on NC Courts contains contact information for the clerk, criminal calendars, and links to court services.
- Johnston County Sheriff's Office — the county online services page provides access to inmate searches in the county jail, recent arrests, and arrest records.
- State Offender Search — NC DAC Offender Search allows you to find information about inmates, probationers, and parolees.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Superior Court's office in the Johnston County Courthouse. Paper files are available for review directly at the clerk's office — NC Courts explains the procedure for obtaining copies on-site.
Johnston County Courthouse
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the Clerk of Superior Court's office in Johnston County, including the person's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available).
- For an official state-level criminal history, contact the NC State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) — the central repository of North Carolina criminal information.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name of the individual
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
Search Johnston Criminal Cases by Case Number
In North Carolina, each criminal case is assigned a unique number consisting of several parts. Understanding this format will help you quickly find the case you need.
Typical case number format:
YY CRS XXXXXX
- YY — the last two digits of the year the case was opened (e.g., 24 for 2024).
- CRS — case type code. "CRS" is used for criminal cases in Superior Court, "CR" for District Court.
- XXXXXX — sequential case number.
For example, the number 24 CRS 001234 indicates a Superior Court criminal case opened in 2024 with a sequential number of 001234. District Court cases will have the "CR" designation instead of "CRS".
With the case number, enter it into the eCourts search portal. This is the fastest way to find a specific case without needing to filter results by name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Johnston
Each criminal case record contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of what each means.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the North Carolina General Statutes (e.g., N.C.G.S. § 14-72 — larceny) |
| Severity Level | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may amend or reduce charges during the court process |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is awaiting review, not completed.
- Active — the case is actively being processed.
- Disposed — the case is completed, a decision has been made.
- Closed — all procedures are fully closed.
Hearings
- Arraignment — initial presentation of charges, the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty.
- Preliminary Hearing — preliminary review of evidence (usually for felonies).
- Pre-trial — preparatory session before the main court hearing.
- Sentencing — issuance of a sentence after a guilty plea.
- Review — a control session to check compliance with conditions.
Johnston County court criminal calendars are available on the Court Schedules page of the official county website.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The defendant is acquitted |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after trial |
| Withheld Judgment | The court postponed judgment, usually under certain conditions |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Johnston
Certified criminal records are officially verified copies that have legal force. In Johnston County, they can be obtained in several ways.
Through the Clerk of Superior Court's Office
The Clerk of Superior Court in Johnston County issues certified criminal history checks for one county. According to NC Courts instructions, you can request a check for yourself or another person.
What you need:
- Valid photo ID
- Full name of the person for whom the check is requested
- Date of birth
- Payment of the applicable fee
The request can be submitted in person at the clerk's office:
Through NC State Bureau of Investigation
For a statewide criminal history check, contact the NC SBI. The SBI is the central repository and accepts requests from both individuals and employers. The procedure usually requires fingerprint submission.
By Mail
Send a written request to the clerk's office, including the name, date of birth, a copy of ID, and a check or money order for the applicable fee. The clerk will process the request and send the certified copy by mail.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Johnston
Fees for criminal records in North Carolina are set by the state's General Statutes. Below are the main rates.
| Service | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document | $0.25 per page | N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 |
| Document certification | $3.00 per document | N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 |
| Certified criminal history check (one county, through the clerk) | $25.00 | N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 |
| Criminal history check through NC SBI | Depends on the type of request; check the SBI website | NC SBI |
Processing Times
- In person at the clerk's office — a certified check for one county is usually issued the same day or within a few business days.
- By mail — processing may take 5 to 10 business days, not including delivery time.
- Through NC SBI — times depend on the type of check and current workload; fingerprint requests may take longer to process.
Check current fees and forms directly with the clerk's office or on the Court Records page of the NC Courts website.