Criminal records in Pender County, North Carolina, are available through several channels. PenderCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official state court system portal, county law enforcement agencies, and directly at the Pender County Clerk of Court's office.
How to Search Criminal Records in Pender
There are several ways to search for criminal records in this county. Which one to choose depends on what exactly you need to find and how quickly.
Online Search
- PenderCourt.us — start here if you need general information about a criminal case. Enter the person's full name or case number.
- North Carolina Judicial Branch Portal — the North Carolina Judicial Branch website offers a Search Portal where you can search court cases by name, county, or date range. You can also check court dates in Pender County through this portal.
- State Offender Search — the NC Department of Adult Correction maintains a database of inmates in state prisons, as well as individuals on probation and parole.
- County Sheriff's Tools — the Pender County Sheriff's Office website offers Inmate Lookup, Crime Map, and Sex Offender Search.
To start a search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full first and last name
- Date of birth
- Case number
In-Person Visit
Visit the Clerk of Superior Court's office in the Pender County courthouse. Public access terminals are available there to view court records. Clerks can also assist in locating the case you need.
The Pender County page on the NC Judicial Branch website contains the court's address, contact information, and details about available services.
Mail Request
A written request can be sent to the Clerk of Superior Court of Pender County. Include the person's full name, date of birth (if known), and the nature of the requested information. For an official state-level criminal history, the request is submitted to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). You can also use the Pender County public records portal to submit a request electronically.
Search Pender Criminal Cases by Case Number
In North Carolina, each criminal case is assigned a unique number, the structure of which contains useful information. The typical format looks like this:
YY CRS NNNNN
- YY — the last two digits of the year the case was opened
- CRS — case type code. "CRS" is used for criminal cases in Superior Court, "CR" for District Court, "J" or "JB" for juvenile offenses
- NNNNN — the sequential case number within the county and year
For example, the number 24 CRS 00512 indicates a Superior Court criminal case opened in 2024 under number 512. Knowing this number, you can find the case directly through the Search Portal on the NC Judicial Branch website or request it at the clerk's office. Searching by case number is the most accurate method, as it eliminates errors due to name matches.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Pender
Each criminal case in the county contains several key elements. Below is what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the North Carolina General Statutes (e.g., G.S. 14-72 — larceny) |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (minor offense), or Infraction (violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during the case — the amended charge is displayed separately |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is awaiting consideration, no decision has been made yet
- Active — the case is being processed by the court
- Disposed — the court has made a decision on the case
- Closed — all procedures are completed, including sentence execution
Types of Hearings
In Pender County, criminal cases typically go through the following stages:
- First Appearance / Arraignment — the first presentation of the accused before a judge, announcement of charges
- Preliminary Hearing — preliminary review to determine the sufficiency of evidence (in felony cases)
- Pre-Trial Hearing — discussion of procedural issues before the trial
- Trial — the court process
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty verdict
- Review Hearing — review of probation conditions or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | The case was closed without a verdict |
| Acquitted | Acquitted — the court found innocence |
| No Contest / Nolo Contendere | The accused does not admit guilt but does not contest the charges |
| Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) | The judge postpones sentencing — a common practice in North Carolina |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Pender
Certified copies are officially certified documents accepted by other institutions as evidence. A regular printout from the online portal does not have this status.
Where to Apply
To obtain certified copies of court criminal records, contact the Clerk of Superior Court's office in Pender County:
The Sheriff's civil division also handles certain documentation, including warrants and civil documents — details on the Sheriff's Office website.
To obtain a complete state-level criminal history record, the request is submitted to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). This requires fingerprinting.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk's office with a valid government-issued photo ID. The clerk will locate the case and prepare a certified copy.
- By Mail — send a written request with the full name, case number (if known), date of birth, and a copy of your ID. Include payment in the form of a money order.
- Through the Public Records Portal — the NextRequest system allows you to submit an electronic request for county public records.
Required Documents
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Full first and last name of the person whose records are being requested
- Case number or date of birth (preferably both)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Pender
Fees for court record copies in North Carolina are regulated by General Statutes, specifically G.S. 7A-308 (fee schedule for Clerk of Superior Court).
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.25 |
| Document certification | $3.00 per document |
| Clerk's record search (by name) | $25.00 |
| State-level criminal history check (SBI) | Depends on the type of check; usually from $14 and up |
Fees may change. Check current rates directly with the clerk's office.
Processing Time
- In-Person Visit — simple copies are usually issued the same day or within a few business days
- Mail Request — from 5 to 15 business days, depending on complexity
- SBI Request — may take from two to four weeks
Payment at the clerk's office is accepted in the form of a money order, cashier's check, or cash. Some offices also accept credit cards — confirm in advance by phone.