Criminal records in Union County, North Carolina, are public documents accessible through several channels. UnionNCCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records are available through the North Carolina Judicial Branch portal, the Union County Clerk of Court's office, and online tools from the Union County Sheriff's Office.
How to Search Criminal Records in Union
There are several ways to search for criminal records, from online tools to in-person visits to the court.
Through UnionNCCourt.us
Start with UnionNCCourt.us. This resource allows you to search for public information about court cases in Union County by the person's name or case number.
Online through Official Portals
The state of North Carolina provides several free online tools:
- NC Judicial Branch Court Records Portal — search by name, citation number, or county. Here you can find information about criminal cases, criminal record checks, and record expungement procedures.
- Arrest and Incident Search from the Union County Sheriff's Office — filter by event type, date, and area.
- Inmate Inquiry — view individuals currently in Union County jail, with information on primary charges and arrest dates.
- Daily Bulletin — arrests, citations, incidents, and violations for the current day.
- NC DAC Offender Search — information on individuals in state correctional facilities or on parole.
In Person
Paper cases can be reviewed by visiting the Clerk of Court's office in the county where the case is being heard. Copies of documents can be made at the office. The Union County Courthouse is located in Monroe.
Union County Courthouse — Clerk of Superior Court
Mail or Written Request
Written requests for court records are sent to the Union County Clerk of Court. For a statewide criminal history check, a request can be submitted to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). Include the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number in the request.
What You Need for the Search
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
Search Union Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number in North Carolina has a standard format that helps identify the type of case, year, and county.
Typical format: YY CRS XXXXXX, where:
- YY — last two digits of the year the case was filed
- CRS — case type code (CRS means a Superior Court criminal case; CR — a District Court criminal case; IF — infraction)
- XXXXXX — sequential case number
For example, the number 24 CRS 001234 indicates a Superior Court criminal case filed in 2024. Knowing the number allows you to find a specific case much faster than by name, especially if the name is common. The Clerk of Court can confirm the case number if you only have partial information.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Union
Each criminal case in Union County contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of the main ones.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the relevant section of the NC General Statutes, e.g., G.S. 14-72 (larceny) |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may amend or reduce charges during proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is awaiting hearing
- Active — the case is in active proceedings
- Disposed — the case has been resolved (verdict rendered, closed, or dismissed)
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Hearings
Types of hearings typically scheduled in criminal cases:
- Arraignment — the first appearance of the accused in court, charges announced
- Preliminary Hearing — preliminary review of evidence (for felony)
- Pre-trial — pre-trial session to resolve procedural issues
- Sentencing — sentencing
- Review — review of probation conditions or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Acquitted | Acquitted after trial |
| Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) | Court postpones sentencing — a specific North Carolina practice |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Union
Certified copies of criminal records differ from regular printouts: they have the official seal and signature of the Clerk of Court, confirming their authenticity.
Where to Apply
The main body is the Union County Clerk of Superior Court's office. For a statewide criminal history check, the request is submitted to the NC State Bureau of Investigation.
Union County Clerk of Superior Court
Ways to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the Clerk of Court's office, provide identification (government-issued photo ID), and fill out a request.
- By Mail — send a written request including the full name of the person, date of birth, case number (if known), and a copy of identification. Include a check or money order for the appropriate fees.
- Online — some records can be ordered through the Union County page on the NC Judicial Branch portal.
Required Documents
- Valid photo ID
- Full name of the person the request is about
- Date of birth or case number (speeds up processing)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Union
Fees for copies and certification of court documents in North Carolina are set at the state level according to NC General Statutes § 7A-308.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (first page) | $0.25 per page |
| Document certification | $3.00 per document |
| Statewide criminal history check (through SBI) | $14.00 (subject to change) |
| Fingerprint-based check (through SBI) | $14.00+ (depends on request type) |
Processing Time
- In Person — copies are usually issued the same day if the case is available electronically. Older cases may require additional time for archive search.
- By Mail — processing takes 5 to 15 business days, depending on the volume of requests.
- Check through SBI — 1 to 3 weeks for standard requests.
The current list of fees can be clarified directly at the Clerk of Court's office or on the court records obtaining page of the NC Judicial Branch portal.