Criminal records of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, are available through several channels—from online tools to in-person visits to the courthouse. MecklenburgCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about criminal cases. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state court system, county law enforcement agencies, and the Clerk of Superior Court's office.
How to Search Criminal Records in Mecklenburg
Start your search by determining what specific information you are looking for—court cases, arrest records, or warrants. Depending on this, there are different access methods.
Online Search
- MecklenburgCourt.us — Enter the first and last name of the person to find publicly available information about criminal cases in the county.
- eCourts Portal — The North Carolina court system has launched the eCourts portal, where you can search for case information, court dates, and obtain copies of documents. Mecklenburg is among the counties connected to this system.
- Sheriff's Arrest Records — The Mecklenburg Sheriff's Office arrest portal shows recent arrest records. It also provides inmate search and warrant check.
- CMPD Police Reports — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department records division provides copies of criminal reports free of charge.
In-Person Visit
Public records are directly accessible at the courthouse during business hours. The Clerk of Superior Court's office welcomes visitors from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. See the Mecklenburg County contact directory for address and contact details.
Written Request
A request for criminal records can be mailed to the Clerk of Superior Court. For a statewide criminal history check, contact the NC Department of Public Safety—the North Carolina court system maintains a complete database of charges and convictions from all state law enforcement agencies.
What You Need for the Search
- Full name of the person (First Name, Last Name)
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number — for an accurate search of a specific case
Search Mecklenburg Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in North Carolina is assigned a unique number consisting of several parts. Understanding the format will help you find the desired case faster.
Typical case number structure:
- County Code — a two-digit number corresponding to a specific county (for Mecklenburg, it is 26)
- Court Type Code — for example, "CR" means a criminal case in Superior Court, "CRS" — a criminal case in District Court
- Year — two digits of the year the case was opened
- Sequential Number — a consecutive number within the year
Example: 26 CR 24 012345 means a criminal case in Superior Court in Mecklenburg County, opened in 2024. Enter this number into the eCourts portal or contact the court office for accurate results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Mecklenburg
Criminal case records contain several key elements. Below is an explanation of each.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the North Carolina General Statutes under which the charge is brought |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (offense), or Infraction (violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a less or more severe one during the case review |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is awaiting review
- Active — the case is in active proceedings
- Disposed — the court has made a decision on the case
- Closed — the case is completely closed
Hearings
Criminal cases usually involve the following hearings:
- First Appearance / Arraignment — the defendant's first court appearance, announcement of charges
- Preliminary Hearing — preliminary review (for felony cases)
- Pre-trial — pre-trial hearing to resolve procedural issues
- Trial — substantive court hearing
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty verdict
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by the court |
| Deferred Prosecution | Prosecution deferred — charges may be dropped upon meeting certain conditions |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Mecklenburg
Certified copies of criminal records are officially certified documents accepted by employers, licensing agencies, and courts. There are several ways to obtain them.
Through Clerk of Superior Court
The clerk's office issues certified criminal history checks within a single county. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail.
What you need:
- Full name of the person for whom the check is requested
- Date of birth
- Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment of the established fee
Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court
Through NC Department of Public Safety
For a statewide criminal history check, contact NC DPS. The state court system maintains a complete database of charges and convictions from all North Carolina law enforcement agencies.
County Public Records Request
For other types of records, use the Mecklenburg County Public Records Requests portal.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Mecklenburg
Fees for criminal records in North Carolina are established according to N.C. General Statutes § 7A-308 and § 7A-311.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified criminal history check (one county, through Clerk of Superior Court) | $25.00 |
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.25 |
| Document certification | $3.00 |
| Statewide criminal history check (NC DPS) | Check the NC DPS website for details |
Processing Time
- In-person request — a certified check for one county is usually issued the same day or within a few business days
- Mail request — processing may take one to three weeks depending on the volume of the request
- Online requests through the eCourts portal — basic case information is available immediately; document copies may require additional time
Check the current fee schedule directly with the Mecklenburg County court office, as rates may change.