Wake County Superior Court Case Search

Superior Court Records are comprehensive legal documents that show records of proceedings in cases handled by Superior Courts. The term "Superior Court" is a common law term that refers to the main trial court in an area. As the main trial court, Superior Courts are the courts of first instance for major criminal and civil offenses. North Carolina uses a tiered system that includes Superior Courts and District Courts. Superior Courts are the main trial courts for serious civil or criminal matters and also hear cases on appeal from the District Courts.

What Kinds of cases have been heard in Wake Superior Court?

As the main trial court, the Wake County Superior Court has general jurisdiction over major civil and criminal cases. Here are some types of cases Wake Superior Court has jurisdiction over:

• Civil Cases: The Wake County Superior Court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving amounts in dispute exceeding $25,000. Civil cases are legal disputes between two or more individuals and can include contractual disagreements, business disputes, or personal injury claims.
• Criminal Cases: The Wake County Superior Court is the court of first instance for serious criminal offenses, called felonies. These offenses can result in punishments ranging from more than one year in prison to capital punishment. Felonies include assault, armed robbery, homicides, and serious drug offenses.
• Family Law Matters are handled by the District Courts in Wake County, but the Superior Courts can also hear complex divorce or child custody cases.
• Probate proceedings: These are legal cases that involve the protection and distribution of the assets of a deceased person. Most probate matters, including estate management, guardianships, and disputes relating to a will, are under the Wake County Superior Court’s jurisdiction.

The Wake County Superior Court also has specialized divisions and departments. For example, the Drug Treatment Court and Mental Health Court both focus on providing rehabilitation and medical intervention for offenders suffering from drug abuse or mental health challenges.

Wake County Superior Court

As stated earlier, the Wake County Superior Court is the main trial court in Wake County and is the court of first instance for major civil and criminal proceedings. They also hear cases on appeal from District Courts to decide on points of law. As the main trial court, the Wake County Superior Court has wide powers, which include conducting jury trials, issuing legal orders, and determining the legal rights and responsibilities of parties. As the main trial court in Wake County, the Superior Court is an essential platform for residents of Wake County to air their grievances and enforce their rights.

The Courthouse is located at

316 Fayetteville Street,
Raleigh, NC 27601.

The Court uses a central hub to handle all legal and judicial proceedings.

Wake County Case Lookup

A county-wide case lookup is the process of searching all legal and judicial proceedings within a county. In addition to Superior Court records, it can also include cases from district courts and specialized divisions of the Superior Court.

For Online Searches

The North Carolina judiciary, which encompasses District and Superior Courts, has an online portal that provides the public with access to court records in participating counties. The eCourts Portal contains records of all civil and criminal cases within participating counties in the state. Basic information on past or ongoing cases is free to access, but you may need to complete a registration and pay some fees to access more detailed records.

You can search the eCourts Portal for a particular case by searching for the case number, names of parties, or the names of the attorneys handling the case. The portal also allows you to search with partial names or numbers, but that reduces search accuracy. Due to privacy reasons, the portal does not contain court records on juvenile cases and other matters sealed by the Court.

Walk-in Requests

You can also take the traditional approach and visit the Courthouse, where you can do a case lookup with the help of the clerks. The Wake County Superior Court Courthouse is open Mondays to Fridays between 8:30 m and 5:00 pm.

To request certain records, you may need to show a government-issued ID card, and obtaining copies may also cost you a fee. The Wake County Courthouse also has public self-service terminals you can use. For specific inquiries, you may call the clerk’s office at (919) 792-4000.

Mail-in Requests

The Wake County Superior Court also supports sending a mail describing the case records you want to access. The mailing address is:

Wake County Courthouse,

Attn: Clerk of Superior Court Records Division,
316 Fayetteville Street,
Raleigh, NV 27601".

Remember to include relevant details about the case, including the case number and the names of the parties involved. It could take anything between five and fifteen days for your request to be processed. Requesting copies or certifications may attract fees and require identification. You may also include a self-stamped envelope to ensure the requested documents get to you.

Additional Considerations

Alternatively, you may also call the clerk’s office for specific requests at (919) 792-4000. You could also consider using third-party websites, although be sure to confirm the accuracy of the information with official sources.

Wake Superior Court Case Search by Name

A case search by name is one of the most common and effective methods to search court records. You can use this method online, in person at the clerk’s office, or through a mail-in request. Simply ensure you spell the names accurately for good results. You may also include additional information like case number or date of birth for more accurate results.

Wake Superior Court Docket Search

A court docket is a document that shows a comprehensive timeline of all activities in a case, including motions. Filings, rulings, and hearing dates. It is essential for monitoring case progress and preparing for further hearings. You can request a court docket on the Wake County Superior Court’s website or in person at the clerk’s office by searching with the case number or names of parties.

Lookup Wake County Superior Court Online

In addition to the court’s official website, some third-party sites, such as NorthCarolinaCourtrecords.us, may provide online access to superior court records. However, these sites operate independently of any government agency. As such, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. When using these websites, be sure to verify the information with official sources.

Supreme Court vs. Superior Court

The Superior Court in Wake County is the main trial court and has general jurisdiction over major civil and criminal cases. It is presided over by one judge at a time. Appeals from this court go to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. On the other hand, the North Carolina Supreme Court is the highest judicial and appellate authority in the state. It handles appeals from lower courts and also presides over constitutional matters. At the national level, the U.S. Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority, presiding over constitutional matters of national relevance and also hearing appeals from lower courts.