Wake County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Wake County has the largest population in North Carolina and covers 857.02 square miles of the state. The county had an estimated population of 1,130,000. The City of Raleigh serves as the county seat and is also the capital city of North Carolina. Wake County has an organized court system that comprises the Superior Courts and District Courts. These courts have Divisions that handle various legal matters and deliver other judicial services to residents.

Two Superior Courts serve as general jurisdiction trial courts in Wake County, and they have authority over most legal matters, excluding cases under other courts' purview. Typical cases hard by these courts include all felonies, civil suits exceeding $25,000, and misdemeanor or infraction appeals from the District Courts. In the Superior Courts, criminal cases are subject to trial by jury. On the other hand, both District Courts in the county have original jurisdiction over misdemeanors and criminal infraction cases. They also hear civil cases involving less than $25,000, juvenile matters, and family relations cases like divorces, child custody, and support. Lastly, District Court Magistrates handle evictions, small claims ($10,000 or less), and personal property cases. They also issue arrest warrants, set bail, and accept guilty pleas or waive trials for some cases.

Wake County reported an index crime rate of 1,995.6 per 100,000 residents in 2022. North Carolina's Judiciary Branch's data and statistics for the fiscal year 2023 reported that Wake County Superior Court's caseload consisted of 2,594 new filings and 2,495 depositions for civil cases. Furthermore, the Criminal Superior Court handled a significant number of new filings, including 3868 felonies, 472 misdemeanors, 328 traffic cases, and four infraction cases. Notably, this court also resolved 4,666 criminal cases during this fiscal year. On the other hand, the Criminal District Court handled 782 cases involving felony convictions and resolved 296 of them. Likewise, the Criminal District Court handled 782 cases involving felony convictions and resolved 296 of them. The District Courts collectively managed around 25,000 civil cases and resolved 14,619 cases during this period. The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains court records in Wake County, which can be accessed at the Clerk's Office. However, the Clerk withholds confidential information, such as juvenile case files, from public inspection.

In summary, Wake County's judicial system plays an essential role in its governance, as it is dedicated to fulfilling the county's mission of providing excellent public service through its courts. The county efficiently manages its diverse caseload through the Superior and District Courts and grants access to public court information.