Criminal records in Lincoln County, North Carolina, are available through several channels. LincolnNCCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official state court system, law enforcement agencies, and the Clerk of Superior Court's office. Below are detailed instructions for each search method, types of data in cases, and the procedure for obtaining certified copies.
How to Search Criminal Records in Lincoln
There are several ways to find criminal records in Lincoln County. Which one to choose depends on what exactly you need and how urgently.
Online Search
- LincolnNCCourt.us — enter a name or case number to view public information about criminal cases in the county.
- North Carolina Judicial Branch eCourts Portal — on the NC Judicial Branch eCourts Services website, you can search court cases by name, citation number, or case number. The portal covers all counties in the state, including Lincoln.
- Offender Search — The Department of Adult Correction (NC DAC) provides an offender search tool where you can find information about inmates in state prisons, probationers, and parolees.
In-Person Visit
Paper case materials are stored in the Clerk of Court's office. Visit the Lincoln County Courthouse and contact the clerk — you will be given access to the case materials and the ability to make copies.
Lincoln County Courthouse
Written Request
To obtain records by mail, contact the Clerk of Superior Court of Lincoln County. Provide the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number. You can also submit a public records request through the Judicial Branch form.
For a statewide criminal history check, the central repository is the NC State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
- Citation number (for traffic violations)
Search Lincoln Criminal Cases by Case Number
A case number in North Carolina has a standard format consisting of several parts. Understanding this format speeds up the search.
Typical format: YY CRS NNNNNN, where:
- YY — the last two digits of the year the case was filed (e.g., 24 for 2024)
- CRS — case type code. For criminal cases in Superior Court, "CRS" is used, for District Court — "CR", for traffic violations — "IF" or "CRS"
- NNNNNN — sequential case number within the county
For example, the number "24 CRS 000512" indicates a criminal case in Superior Court filed in 2024 with a sequential number of 512. If you only have part of the number, try searching by name — the system may return all related cases.
Each county maintains its own numbering, so the same sequential number in different counties will refer to different cases.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Lincoln
A criminal case contains several key data categories. Here's what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the North Carolina General Statutes (N.C.G.S.) under which the charge is brought |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more severe one during the case |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet
- Active — the case is in active proceedings
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Hearings
In Lincoln County cases, the following types of hearings may occur:
- First Appearance / Arraignment — the first presentation of the accused before a judge, announcement of charges
- Preliminary Hearing — a preliminary hearing to determine the sufficiency of evidence (usually in felony cases)
- Pre-trial — a preparatory meeting before the main trial
- Trial / Sentencing — trial on the merits and sentencing
- Review Hearing — a review hearing, for example, to check compliance with probation conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by court or jury decision |
| Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) | The court postpones sentencing; a common practice in North Carolina |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Lincoln
Certified copies are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by other institutions. A regular printout from the online portal is not certified.
Where to Apply
Certified copies of court records are issued by the Clerk of Superior Court's office in Lincoln County. To obtain a complete statewide criminal history, the request should be directed to NC SBI.
Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court
Ways to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk's office with a valid ID (driver's license or state ID). The clerk will make and certify copies.
- By Mail — send a written request with the full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and return address. Include payment in the form of a money order or cashier's check payable to Lincoln County Clerk of Court.
- Online — through the NC Judicial Branch court records portal, you can submit a request or learn the procedure details.
Criminal History Check through NC SBI
For an official criminal history check (background check), contact the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. The procedure involves fingerprinting and submitting the appropriate form.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Lincoln
Fees for copies and certification are set by the North Carolina General Statutes. Below are the main rates.
| Service | Cost | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (regular) | $0.25 per page | N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 |
| Certified copy | $3.00 per document (plus $0.25 for each additional page) | N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 |
| Criminal history check through NC SBI (without fingerprints) | Depends on the type of request; check the SBI website | NC SBI fee schedule |
Processing Time
- In Person — copies are usually prepared during the visit if the case is not archived
- By Mail — from 5 to 15 business days depending on the volume of the request and current workload
- Archived Cases — older records may be stored outside the main courthouse, increasing processing time
Payment is accepted in the form of a money order or cashier's check. Check with the clerk's office whether personal checks or cards are accepted — this depends on the specific office. The current fee schedule is available in the Court Records section on the NC Judicial Branch website.