Criminal records in Burke County, North Carolina, can be accessed through several channels. BurkeCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for Burke County. You can also search through official state court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the Burke County Clerk of Superior Court's office. These resources cover everything from active criminal cases and past convictions to current jail rosters and outstanding warrants.
How to Search Criminal Records in Burke County
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Burke County, depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- BurkeCourt.us — Search for publicly available Burke County criminal court record information by name or case number.
- North Carolina Judicial Branch Portal — The NC Courts search portal lets you look up criminal, civil, and special proceeding cases statewide, including Burke County. You can search by defendant name, county, or case number. North Carolina's eCourts system is also expanding online access to case filings and documents.
- NC Department of Adult Correction Offender Search — Use the Offender Public Information Search to find current information on state prison inmates, including those originally charged in Burke County. This does not include county jail records.
- Burke County Sheriff's Office — The Burke County Sheriff's Office publishes arrest statistics and maintains a Most Wanted list for individuals with outstanding warrants in the county.
In Person
- Visit the Burke County Clerk of Superior Court at the Burke County Courthouse. Paper case files for criminal matters can be accessed and copied at the clerk's office.
- Public access computer terminals may be available at the courthouse for searching case records.
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the Burke County Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse mailing address (listed below). Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and case number if available.
- For a statewide criminal history check, submit a request to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), which serves as the state criminal history repository. Fingerprint-based background checks are handled through the SBI.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required for court portal searches)
- Case number (if known)
- County where the case was filed (Burke County)
Search Burke County Criminal Cases by Case Number
North Carolina uses a standardized case number format across all counties. Understanding this format helps you locate a specific case quickly.
A typical Burke County criminal case number looks like this: 25 CR 012345
- 25 — The two-digit year the case was filed (2025)
- CR — The case type code. "CR" stands for criminal Superior Court cases. Other codes include "CRS" (criminal Superior Court), "IF" (infraction), and "CVM" (criminal District Court misdemeanor).
- 012345 — A sequential number assigned to the case within that year and category
When searching by case number on the state court portal or at the clerk's office, enter the full number including the year prefix and case type code. If you only have a partial number, the clerk's office staff can often help you locate the correct file using the defendant's name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Burke County
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The North Carolina General Statute section the defendant is charged under (e.g., N.C.G.S. § 14-72 for larceny) |
| Felony | More serious offenses carrying potential state prison time; classes range from A (most serious) to I |
| Misdemeanor | Less serious offenses; classes range from A1 (most serious) to 3 |
| Infraction | Non-criminal violations (e.g., certain traffic offenses) that do not carry jail time |
| Amended charges | Original charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further court action
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing (hearings scheduled, trial underway)
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All court actions, including sentencing and post-judgment matters, are complete
Hearing Types
- First appearance / Arraignment — Defendant is informed of charges and bond is set
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases in District Court)
- Pre-trial hearing — Attorneys address motions, plea offers, and scheduling
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The judge imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearings for probation compliance or other post-disposition matters
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Defendant acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court
- Dismissed with leave — Charges dismissed but may be refiled
- Prayer for judgment continued (PJC) — Judgment is deferred; common in North Carolina for certain offenses
- No contest (nolo contendere) — Defendant does not admit guilt but accepts punishment
Note that expunged records will not appear in public searches. North Carolina law allows certain charges and convictions to be removed from a person's record through the expunction process.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Burke County
Certified copies of criminal court records carry an official court seal and can be used for legal proceedings, background checks, and employment verification.
Where to Request
Burke County Clerk of Superior Court
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the clerk's office during business hours. Ask for a certified copy of the specific case record. You will need to provide the case number or the defendant's full name and date of birth.
- By mail: Send a written request to the mailing address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), the specific documents you need, and a check or money order for the applicable fees.
- Online: You can request a public record through the North Carolina Judicial Branch website. Some documents may be available electronically; others may need to be mailed.
Identification Required
- A valid government-issued photo ID is typically required for in-person requests
- If requesting your own criminal history from the SBI, fingerprinting is required
Statewide Criminal History
For a comprehensive criminal background check beyond Burke County court records, contact the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation or go through the NC Department of Public Safety. The SBI processes fingerprint-based state criminal history checks.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Burke County
Fees for criminal record copies in North Carolina are set by statute under N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 and the Administrative Office of the Courts fee schedule.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy of court record | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy of court record | $3.00 for certification plus $0.25 per page |
| Criminal record search (clerk's office) | $25.00 |
| SBI state criminal history check | Varies; typically $14.00+ depending on type |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Simple copy requests are usually handled the same day or within one to two business days.
- Mail requests: Allow 5–10 business days for processing and mailing, depending on volume.
- Online requests through the NC Judicial Branch: Response times vary. The court system advises allowing several business days.
- SBI background checks: Processing typically takes 1–5 business days for electronic submissions; longer for mail-in requests.
Payment methods accepted at the Burke County Clerk's office generally include cash, check, and money order. Contact the clerk's office directly to confirm current accepted payment methods and any fee changes.