North Carolina Court Records

This North Carolina Courts records website is designed to help explain which North Carolina court records are public and how to access them. It also offers insight into the state's judicial system. The General Court of Justice of North Carolina is a state-operated system established by the state constitution. Pursuant to Article 4, it is divided into the Appellate Division, the Superior Court Division, and the District Court Division. 

The Appellate Division includes the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals (intermediate appellate court). It reviews decisions from lower courts and resolves questions of law. The Superior Court Division is a trial court of general jurisdiction that adjudicates high-stakes civil and criminal cases and conducts jury trials.

The District Court Division is a trial court of limited jurisdiction. It handles less serious criminal matters and civil cases. The court also hears family and juvenile matters and conducts trials without juries.Court records created and maintained by these courts are generally open to public inspection and copying under the North Carolina Open Records Law. However, access is not absolute, as certain statutory restrictions apply.