Craven County Criminal Records
What Is Craven County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Craven County, North Carolina encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county jurisdiction. These records serve as the official history of arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions maintained by various law enforcement and judicial agencies.
Criminal records typically include several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Craven County Sheriff's Office or local police departments
- Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings in the Craven County Courthouse
- Conviction Records: Final judgments resulting in a guilty verdict or plea
- Incarceration Records: Information regarding detention in the Craven County Detention Center
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant under North Carolina law. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-266.2, arrest records document the initial apprehension and charges, while conviction records indicate that legal proceedings resulted in a finding of guilt. Felony records document more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanor records reflect less severe infractions.
Juvenile records in Craven County receive special protection under North Carolina General Statutes § 7B-3000, which generally seals these records from public view to protect minors.
The primary agencies maintaining criminal records in Craven County include:
Craven County Sheriff's Office
1100 Clarks Road
New Bern, NC 28562
252-636-6620
Craven County Sheriff's Office
Craven County Clerk of Superior Court
302 Broad Street
New Bern, NC 28560
252-639-3000
Craven County Courts
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
919-662-4500
North Carolina SBI
Comprehensive criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, sentencing information, and probation or parole status when applicable.
Are Criminal Records Public In Craven County
Criminal records in Craven County are generally considered public information pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Law, specifically North Carolina General Statutes § 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 accessible to citizens.
The North Carolina Public Records Law defines public records as:
"All documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions."
While the law establishes broad access to criminal records, several important exceptions exist:
- Active investigations: Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations are temporarily exempt from disclosure under N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4
- Juvenile records: Court proceedings involving minors under age 18 are generally sealed from public view
- Expunged records: Criminal records that have been legally expunged pursuant to North Carolina law
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order for various statutory reasons
Adult conviction records are fully public in Craven County, as are court proceedings, which remain open to public observation except in rare circumstances where a judge orders proceedings closed. The North Carolina Court System maintains that "most court records are public records and are available to anyone who requests them."
Certain sensitive information within criminal records may be redacted prior to public disclosure, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain personal identifying information as specified in state law.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Craven County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Craven County may utilize several established 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 Craven County Clerk of Superior Court's office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM)
- Complete a public records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth
- Pay applicable search or copy fees as established by North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts
- Wait for staff to retrieve available records (some searches may be completed while you wait, while others may require additional time)
For criminal case information:
- Access the North Carolina Judicial Branch website
- Navigate to the public case search portal
- Enter the individual's name or case number
- Review available case information, including charges, hearing dates, and dispositions
For current inmate and recent arrest information:
- Visit the Craven County Sheriff's Office website
- Navigate to the Active Bookings section
- Search by name to view current detention status, charges, and bond information
- Note that this database only includes currently detained individuals and recent bookings
For state-level criminal history:
- Submit a request to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
- Complete form SBI-46, available on the NC SBI website
- Include fingerprints and required identification
- Pay the statutory fee (currently $14 per record check)
- Allow 2-3 weeks for processing
For certified copies of court documents:
- Contact the Craven County Clerk of Superior Court
- Provide specific case information including case number if available
- Pay applicable certification fees
- Request delivery method (in-person pickup or mail)
How To Find Criminal Records in Craven County Online?
Craven County residents and interested parties can access various criminal records through several online portals maintained by county and state agencies. These digital resources provide convenient access to different segments of the criminal justice system's records.
The North Carolina Court System offers the North Carolina Court System Records Search, which provides access to:
- Criminal case information for all 100 North Carolina counties, including Craven
- Case status, scheduled court dates, and basic disposition information
- Traffic citations and infractions
- Civil court cases
Users should note that this system requires no registration but provides only basic case information. Complete case files and documents are not available through this portal.
For current detention information, the Craven County Active Bookings database provides:
- Real-time information on individuals currently detained in the Craven County Detention Center
- Booking information, charges, bond amounts, and scheduled court dates
- Searchable by name or booking number
The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction maintains the Offender Public Information Search, which allows users to:
- Search for current and former state prison inmates
- View probation and parole status for qualifying offenders
- Access information on convicted sex offenders
For sex offender registration information, the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry, maintained by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, provides:
- Searchable database of registered sex offenders residing in Craven County
- Photographs, addresses, and conviction information
- Mapping features to identify registered offenders by geographic area
Users should be aware that certain limitations apply to online record searches:
- Historical records older than a certain date may not be digitized
- Complete case files typically require in-person requests
- Certain sealed or expunged records will not appear in online searches
- Juvenile records are not available through public online portals
Can You Search Craven County Criminal Records for Free?
Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6.2, the public has the right to inspect public records, including most criminal records, without charge during normal business hours. This statutory provision ensures that citizens can access and examine criminal records maintained by Craven County agencies without paying inspection fees.
Free in-person inspection of criminal records is available at:
Craven County Clerk of Superior Court
302 Broad Street
New Bern, NC 28560
252-639-3000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Craven County Sheriff's Office
1100 Clarks Road
New Bern, NC 28562
252-636-6620
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Several online resources also provide free access to criminal record information:
- The North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a free public access portal for basic case information, including criminal cases in Craven County
- The Craven County Active Bookings database provides free access to current jail population information
- The North Carolina Offender Search allows free searches of state prison inmates and probationers
While inspection is free, fees may apply for:
- Copies of documents (typically $0.25 per page)
- Certified copies of court documents ($5.00 per certification)
- Background checks conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation ($14.00)
- Expedited service or special handling requests
The North Carolina Public Records Law allows agencies to charge "actual costs" for producing copies but prohibits charging for inspection alone. Users should note that while electronic access to basic information is free, comprehensive criminal history reports from the State Bureau of Investigation require payment of statutory fees.
What's Included in a Craven County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Craven County agencies typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are structured to include several key categories of information.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph when available
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency (Craven County Sheriff's Office or municipal police department)
- Booking number and processing details
- Charges filed at time of arrest with corresponding North Carolina statute references
- Bail or bond amount and status
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Court case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction (District or Superior Court)
- Charging documents and amendments
- Classification of charges (felony or misdemeanor with class designation)
- Plea information
- Defense attorney information
- Prosecutor assignment
- Judge presiding over proceedings
- Court appearance dates and outcomes
Disposition Information:
- Final verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details including:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines, court costs, and restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information if applicable
- Probation or parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants or pending charges
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DWI/DUI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
- Probation or parole status reports
The comprehensiveness of criminal records may vary based on the age of the case, the maintaining agency, and the disposition of the charges. Records maintained by the Craven County Clerk of Court typically provide the most complete documentation of criminal proceedings.
How Long Does Craven County Keep Criminal Records?
Craven County adheres to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' Records Retention and Disposition Schedule for the retention of criminal records. This schedule, established pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 121-5 and § 132-8, provides the legal framework for maintaining public records, including criminal records.
Felony case records are retained permanently by the Craven County Clerk of Superior Court. These records document the most serious offenses and maintain their historical and legal significance indefinitely. The permanent retention ensures these records remain available for legal proceedings, background checks, and historical research.
Misdemeanor case records are typically retained for 10 years after case disposition, though certain categories may have longer retention periods:
- DWI/DUI cases: 20 years
- Domestic violence cases: 25 years
- Cases resulting in active sentences: Until completion of sentence plus 5 years
Arrest records maintained by the Craven County Sheriff's Office are generally retained according to the following schedule:
- Felony arrests: 20 years from date of arrest
- Misdemeanor arrests: 5 years from date of arrest
- Arrests not resulting in charges: 3 years from date of arrest
Jail records documenting inmate confinement in the Craven County Detention Center are retained for 7 years after an inmate's release, while booking photographs are typically maintained for 3 years.
Court calendars and dockets are retained for 3 years, while court indices are maintained permanently to facilitate record location.
Criminal records may be eligible for expungement under specific circumstances outlined in North Carolina General Statutes § 15A-145 through § 15A-146. When records are expunged, they are removed from public access and sealed or destroyed according to statutory requirements.
Digital records are subject to the same retention requirements as physical records, though the format of storage may differ. The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts maintains digital court records according to the same schedule that governs paper records.
Lookup Criminal Records in Craven County
Sheriff's Office records and inmate information
Current jail bookings and detention status
Craven County court records and case information