Criminal records in Haywood County, North Carolina, can be accessed through several channels. HaywoodCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Haywood County. Beyond that, the North Carolina Judicial Branch portal, the Haywood County Clerk of Superior Court's office, and state law enforcement agencies each provide ways to search for or request criminal records. The method you choose depends on whether you need a quick lookup or a certified document.
How to Search Criminal Records in Haywood
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Haywood County. Start by identifying what you need — a basic case lookup, a background check, or a certified record — and choose the method that fits.
Online Search Options
- HaywoodCourt.us — Search for publicly available criminal court record information for Haywood County cases.
- North Carolina Judicial Branch Portal — The state court system offers an online search tool for criminal, civil, and traffic cases. You can search by defendant name, case number, or citation number.
- NC Department of Adult Correction Offender Search — Look up county jail inmates, state prisoners, probationers, parolees, and registered sex offenders statewide.
- NC Public Records Online — A directory of various online public records resources maintained by the state.
In Person
- Visit the Haywood County Clerk of Superior Court at the Haywood County Justice Center in Waynesville. Public, self-service computer terminals are available at the clerk's office for searching criminal case information.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Haywood County Clerk of Superior Court for copies of case records.
- For a statewide criminal history check, submit a request to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). The SBI handles official criminal background checks based on fingerprint submissions.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required for court portal searches)
- Case number (if known)
- Citation number (for traffic-related offenses)
Search Haywood Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. North Carolina uses a standardized case numbering format across all counties:
- Format:
YY CRS NNNNNN - YY — Two-digit year the case was filed
- CRS — A three-letter code indicating the case type. Common criminal codes include:
- CRS — Criminal Superior Court
- CRD — Criminal District Court
- IF — Infraction
- NNNNNN — A sequential number assigned to the case within that year and category
Enter the full case number into the North Carolina court system's online search portal or provide it to the clerk's office for a direct lookup. Using a case number returns the most precise results and avoids confusion when defendants share common names.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Haywood
Criminal case records in Haywood County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The North Carolina General Statute (N.C.G.S.) section the defendant is charged under |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — felonies are classified A through I; misdemeanors are classified A1 through 3 |
| Original Charge | The charge as initially filed |
| Amended Charge | A revised charge if the prosecutor modified it through plea negotiation or other proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further court action
- Active — Proceedings are underway
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, etc.)
- Closed — All court actions, including sentencing and any post-judgment matters, are complete
Hearing Types
- First Appearance / Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea
- Probable Cause / Preliminary Hearing — A judge determines whether sufficient evidence exists (felony cases)
- Pre-Trial — Scheduling and procedural matters before trial
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The court imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review Hearing — Follow-up hearing to check compliance with probation or other court orders
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant was convicted by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty — Defendant was acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — The charge was dropped by the prosecutor or the court
- Dismissed with Leave — Dismissed but may be refiled
- Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) — Judgment is deferred; no formal sentence is entered at that time
- No Contest (Nolo Contendere) — Defendant does not contest the charge; treated as a conviction for sentencing purposes
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Haywood
Certified copies of criminal court records are handled by the Haywood County Clerk of Superior Court. These are official documents bearing the court seal, suitable for legal proceedings, employment verification, or licensing applications.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the clerk's office at the Haywood County Justice Center and request certified copies at the counter. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request to the clerk's office. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), a description of the records needed, and a return address. Include payment for applicable fees.
- Through the NC Judicial Branch — You can also request a public record through the state court system's process for records maintained by the courts.
For Statewide Criminal History
A fingerprint-based state criminal history check must go through the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. This is separate from court record requests and typically required for employment or licensing purposes.
Haywood County Clerk of Superior Court
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Haywood
Fees for court 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 |
| SBI state criminal history check (name-based) | $14.00 |
| SBI state criminal history check (fingerprint-based) | $14.00 (state) plus FBI fee if federal check included |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the clerk's office are often fulfilled the same day, depending on the complexity and volume of records requested.
- Mail requests typically take 5–10 business days after receipt, though times may vary during high-volume periods.
- SBI background checks may take several business days to several weeks, depending on the method of submission and whether fingerprints are required.
Payment at the clerk's office is generally accepted by cash, check, or money order. Contact the clerk's office directly to confirm accepted payment methods for mail-in requests.