Guilford County Court Records
Guilford County court records refer to all official documents generated or filed in the course of a judicial proceeding in the county's courts. These records are considered part of Guilford County Public Records and are maintained by the office of the Clerk of Superior Court, which makes them available to the public per state statutes. The provisions for handling, maintaining, and disseminating court records are outlined in the Guilford County Local Rules.
Court records are valuable to the dispensing of justice. They provide an accurate account of judicial proceedings and promote fairness and impartiality in the North Carolina judicial system.
Are Court Records Public in Guilford County?
Yes. Records maintained by the Guilford County Courts pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Act are public. Therefore, anyone can inspect, examine, and get copies of court records. However, the public records law exempts certain types of court records from public disclosure. Exempted records include:
- Sealed records
- Adoption records
- Grand jury proceedings
- Juvenile delinquency proceedings
- Presentence reports and information
- Court records in commitment proceedings
Personal information like:
- Fingerprints
- Biometric data
- Passport numbers
- Social security numbers
- Drivers' license numbers
- Taxpayer identification numbers
- Checking or savings account numbers
- Credit card or debit card numbers
Also:
- Mediator records regarding particular cases
- Judicial Standards Commission investigations
- Dispute Resolution Commission records on mediators
- Court records regarding abortions on unemancipated minors
- Case records under the supervision of juvenile court counselors
- Multidisciplinary evaluations in incompetency proceedings
- NCAOC records of expunctions where a charge is dismissed, or a person is found not guilty
What Do Guilford County Court Records Contain?
Court records in Guilford County feature vital information about cases filed with the court. This information provides insight into the judicial process and decisions made during the proceeding. Guilford County court records typically contain:
- Case summary (case number, court location, judicial officer's name, filing date, and microfilm number)
- Case information (case type, subtype, and status, cause of action, description, and remedy, and counteraction)
- Assignment information
- Party information (party type, names, and defendant's address)
- Causes of action
- Case events
- Offense details (offense name, date, and report, citation, statute, degree,
- Dispositions
- Hearings (hearing type, date and time, judge's name, case category, and courtroom)
- Judgment information (judgment date, time, status, comment, amount, and type, court cost, attorney fees, interest rate
- Financial information (total financial assessment, total payments and credits, balance due date, transaction assessment, courthouse payment, receipt number, and amount)
Where to Conduct a Guilford County Case Lookup
There are various options for conducting a Guilford County Case Lookup depending on the record of interest and associated custodians. While most court case information can be retrieved from Superior or District Courts, cases appealed to higher courts can be requested from the North Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.
How to Conduct a Guilford County Case Records Search
To conduct a Guilford County Case Records search, inquirers may use the self-service terminals at the Guilford County Clerk of Court's office. The office is open to the public from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and searches can be conducted by defendant name, case number, or victim or witness name.
Alternatively, requesters may use the Public Records Request Form to electronically request a copy of an existing public court record. Records can be requested at no cost, but copies of these records cost $0.25 per page. Requesters who prefer to mail their requests to the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) can print the Public Records Request Form and send the completed document to:
North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts
Public Records Request
P.O. Box 2448
Raleigh, NC 27602
Guilford County Civil Court Case Records
A Guilford County civil court case record is created when one party files a lawsuit against another, asking for monetary compensation or seeking an alternative form of redress. The custodian of civil court records is the clerk in the court where the case was filed. The office maintains records of contract disputes, family issues, and personal injury claims.
The Guilford County Superior Courts hear civil cases over $25,000, while the Guilford County District Court hears civil cases where the amount in controversy is less than $25,000. They also hear cases on divorce, child custody, and support. Individuals can use the public access terminals available at the Guilford County courthouse to view civil court case records for free. Copies of civil court records can also be obtained from the court staff for a fee. Requesters can also submit civil court records requests online or by mail by completing a Public Records Request Form.
Guilford County Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal court case records are created during a criminal hearing/proceeding. In Guilford County, these records are held by the clerk of court where the case was filed. The office maintains records of cases involving infractions, felonies, and misdemeanors. Since the Guilford County District Court hears criminal cases involving misdemeanors and infractions (non-jury), queries for associated records may be made to the clerk’s office. The Guilford County Superior Courts hear all felony cases, misdemeanor cases, and infraction appeals from the District Court, and related records can be obtained by querying the office.
Inquirers may use the Public Records Request Form to request criminal court records online or by mail. Alternatively, requesters may visit the Guilford County courthouse to view criminal court records through the public access terminal.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Inquirers may visit the Guildford County courthouse to use the public access terminal and view court records for free. However, unlike most North Carolina counties, Guilford County does not use the eCourts portal.
Courts in Guilford County
Below is the address of the Graham County Courthouse:
Graham County Courthouse
12 Court St.
Robbinsville, NC 28771
Phone: (828) 474-7000
