Search Bladen County Criminal Records
Bladen County criminal records are filed at the courthouse in Elizabethtown, North Carolina. Part of the 13th Judicial District, Bladen County maintains criminal case records through the Clerk of Superior Court. The county is in southeastern North Carolina and has a mix of rural communities. Public access to criminal records in Bladen County is protected under state law. This page walks through each office and method for searching these records.
Bladen County Criminal Court Records
All criminal cases in Bladen County go through the Clerk of Superior Court at 166 East Broad Street in Elizabethtown, NC 28337. The phone number is (910) 872-7200. This office handles both Superior Court felonies and District Court misdemeanors. Every criminal case filed in Bladen County is stored here.
The NC Judicial Branch website has official information about the Bladen County courthouse.
Go to nccourts.gov/locations/bladen-county for court details, judge schedules, and contact information for Bladen County.
The public can view criminal records at the Bladen County clerk's office during business hours. You do not need an appointment. Give the clerk a name or case number and they will pull the file. Copies are available for a fee. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. The right to access these records comes from North Carolina's Public Records Act.
Bladen County is one of the larger counties by land area in North Carolina. Despite its size, all criminal cases are filed at the single courthouse in Elizabethtown. Towns like Bladenboro, Clarkton, and White Lake all fall under the Bladen County court system.
| Court |
Bladen County Clerk of Superior Court 166 East Broad Street Elizabethtown, NC 28337 Phone: (910) 872-7200 |
|---|---|
| District | 13th Judicial District |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/bladen-county |
Online Search for Bladen County Criminal Records
Online access to Bladen County criminal records is available through the state court portal. The NC eCourts system lets you search criminal cases by defendant name or case number. The system is free for basic case lookups and shows charges, court dates, and outcomes.
The Bladen County court records page gives local details about accessing case data.
Visit nccourtaccess.org/bladen-county for information about searching Bladen County criminal records online.
Not every Bladen County criminal record is in the online system. Older cases filed before digitization may only exist on paper at the courthouse. Recent cases are more likely to be available online. For the most thorough search of Bladen County criminal records, combine an online search with a visit or call to the clerk's office.
Note: The eCourts system references public records access under GS 132, which guarantees the right to view court records in Bladen County.
Bladen County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Bladen County Sheriff's Office is at 100 Smith Circle in Elizabethtown, NC 28337. The phone number is (910) 862-8140. The sheriff creates arrest records when a person is taken into custody anywhere in Bladen County. These records show the person's name, charges, date and time of arrest, and bond details.
Arrest records in Bladen County are public. You can get them from the sheriff's office in person, by phone, or by mail. The office may charge a copy fee. Under N.C.G.S. 132-1.4, some records connected to active investigations may have restricted parts. But once charges are filed, arrest records join the public court file in Bladen County.
Visit the Bladen County Sheriff's Office website for contact details and services from the Bladen County Sheriff's Office.
| Sheriff |
Bladen County Sheriff's Office 100 Smith Circle Elizabethtown, NC 28337 Phone: (910) 862-8140 |
|---|
Criminal Record Expunction in Bladen County
North Carolina law allows expunction of some criminal records. Under N.C.G.S. 15A-145.5, a person with a qualifying nonviolent offense can petition to have the record removed from public access. The petition is filed at the Bladen County courthouse in Elizabethtown.
If a judge grants the expunction, the criminal record is sealed. The Bladen County clerk will remove it from public search results. It will not show up online or in person. This is a permanent removal from public view, though law enforcement may retain limited access.
Dismissed charges and acquittals in Bladen County may also be eligible for expunction. The requirements differ by case type. The NC courts help page has details on court record access and removal options.
Bladen County Related Records
Beyond the clerk's office and sheriff, other Bladen County offices hold records that may tie to criminal matters. The Register of Deeds at the Bladen County Register of Deeds website keeps property records including liens from criminal judgments. The NC Sex Offender Registry lists registered offenders in Bladen County.
The North Carolina SBI provides statewide criminal history checks. A Bladen County search only covers local cases. The SBI search covers all 100 counties. For a complete criminal history, both searches may be needed.
Note: A statewide SBI check will include any Bladen County criminal records along with records from other North Carolina counties.
Bladen County Criminal Records Under State Law
North Carolina's Public Records Act governs access to all criminal records in Bladen County. Under N.C.G.S. 132-1, government records belong to the people. Criminal case files at the Bladen County clerk's office are open to public inspection. Anyone can request to view them without stating a reason. Juvenile records are sealed. Expunged records are removed from public access. But adult criminal cases with final outcomes are open to the public in Bladen County. The courthouse in Elizabethtown is the place to start.
Nearby Counties
Bladen County is in southeastern North Carolina. Criminal records are filed in the county where the offense took place.