Criminal records of Watauga County, North Carolina, are accessible through several channels. WataugaCourt.us allows searching for publicly available information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, the state court system provides an online portal for case searches, the clerk of court's office accepts requests in person and by mail, and law enforcement agencies maintain their own databases. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and obtaining criminal records in Watauga County.
How to Search Criminal Records in Watauga
There are several ways to find criminal records in the county. Each is suitable for different situations.
Online Search
- WataugaCourt.us — start here if you need to quickly check public information on a criminal case. Enter the full name of the person or the case number.
- NC Judicial Branch eCourts Portal — the NC Judicial Branch eCourts Services website offers a search for court records by name, date of birth, or case number. The portal covers district and superior court cases across the state, including Watauga.
- NC DAC Offender Search — the Offender Search of the Department of Adult Correction allows searching for information on state prisoners, probationers, and parolees. The database contains data since 1972 but does not include information on county jail inmates.
In-Person Visit
Paper records can be viewed at the Watauga County Clerk of Court's office. According to NC court system rules, public terminals are available in the courthouse for viewing criminal cases. The main entrance is on King Street.
Watauga County Courthouse
Handicap access is through the rear entrance from the parking area; press the doorbell.
Mail Request
Send a written request to the Watauga County Clerk of Court or to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) for a statewide criminal background check. The SBI provides a non-certified statewide criminal records check.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name of the individual
- Date of birth (preferable)
- Case number (if known)
- Offender ID (for DAC system search)
Search Watauga Criminal Cases by Case Number
Every criminal case in North Carolina is assigned a unique number. Understanding the format helps find the desired record faster.
Typical NC case number format:
YY CRS NNNNNN
- YY — last two digits of the year the case was filed
- CRS — case type code. "CRS" is used for superior court criminal cases, "CR" for district court cases
- NNNNNN — sequential case number within the county and year
For example, the number 24 CRS 000512 indicates a superior court criminal case filed in 2024 with the number 512. District court cases marked "CR" usually involve misdemeanors and traffic violations.
Enter this number into the eCourts portal or on WataugaCourt.us to get details of a specific case. If you don't know the number, a name search also works but may return multiple results if the name is common.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Watauga
When you find a criminal case, the record contains several key elements. Here's what each of them means in practice.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the NC General Statutes (e.g., G.S. 14-72 — larceny) |
| Severity Level | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Amended Charge | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more severe one during the case |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is awaiting a hearing
- Active — the case is in court proceedings
- Disposed — the court has made a decision; the case is concluded
- Closed — all procedures are completed, including sentence execution
Hearings
Criminal cases in Watauga County typically involve the following types of hearings:
- First Appearance / Arraignment — the defendant's first appearance before a judge, charges are announced
- Preliminary Hearing — a preliminary hearing to determine the sufficiency of evidence (felony only)
- Pre-trial — a pre-trial hearing where parties discuss procedural matters
- Trial — the trial on the merits
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty verdict
- Review — a review hearing on compliance with the terms of the sentence
The schedule of criminal hearings can be checked on the Watauga County page of the NC court system.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Dismissed with Leave | Closed with the possibility of re-filing |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not contest the charges but does not formally admit guilt |
| Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) | The court postpones sentencing — a common practice in NC |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Watauga
Certified copies of criminal records are officially verified documents accepted by other institutions and courts. Non-certified copies are suitable for informational purposes only.
Where to Apply
- Watauga County Clerk of Court's Office — issues certified copies of court records for cases heard in this county
- NC State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) — for a statewide criminal background check on oneself
- NC Department of Adult Correction — for records on state prisoners, parolees, and probationers
Ways to Submit a Request
- In-Person — visit the Watauga County Courthouse. Bring a photo ID.
- By Mail — send a written request including the full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and a copy of a photo ID. Include payment in the form of a money order.
- Online — public record request through the NC court system portal is available for some document types.
Required Documents
- Photo ID (for requests on oneself)
- Written consent of the person (for requests on someone else, unless it's an employer with legal grounds)
- Full name, date of birth, or case number
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Watauga
Fees for copies and certification are set by the North Carolina General Statutes. Below are the standard rates applicable in state courts.
| Service | Cost | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.25 | N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 |
| Document certification | $3.00 | N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 |
| Criminal background check through SBI (on oneself) | Depends on the type of request | NC SBI |
| NC DAC database search (online) | Free | NC DAC |
Processing Times
- In-Person — copies are usually issued the same day if the case is available in the electronic system
- By Mail — from 5 to 15 business days depending on the request volume and office workload
- SBI — criminal background checks may take from a few days to several weeks
Payment at the clerk of court's office is accepted in the form of a money order, cashier's check, or, in some cases, cash. Confirm acceptable payment methods before visiting by calling (828) 268-6600. Different procedures and timelines may apply for historical records stored in the NC State Archives.