Durham County DWI Records

Durham County DUI records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse on South Dillard Street. Durham is a busy urban county in the 16th Judicial District. The clerk's office handles thousands of criminal cases each year, including DWI and impaired driving charges. You can search for DUI records online through the state court portal or visit the courthouse in person. The District Criminal and Traffic Records office on the first floor provides direct access to DWI case files. This guide covers every method for finding DUI records in Durham County, from online searches to certified background checks.

Durham County Clerk of Superior Court

The Durham County Clerk of Superior Court is the custodian of all DUI and DWI records filed in the county. The main office number is (919) 808-3000. The courthouse is at 510 South Dillard Street in downtown Durham. All entry is through the main entrance with security screening. Ramp access is on the Mangum Street side for those who need it.

DUI records in Durham County are handled by two departments. The District Criminal and Traffic Records office is on the first floor in Room 1300. Call (919) 808-3002 for court dates, courtroom info, traffic citation payments, and limited driving privileges related to DWI. For felony DUI cases filed in Superior Court, go to the second floor, Room 2100, or call (919) 808-3007. The Superior Criminal Department keeps all felony case files, including habitual DWI charges under G.S. 20-138.5.

The Durham County court page provides calendars, forms, and links to online services. Durham County also runs an Administrative Traffic Court that handles many DUI-related matters in a dedicated forum.

The Durham County courthouse provides language interpreter services in many languages, including sign language. Contact Trial Court Administration at 919-808-3217 to request an interpreter for your DUI court date.

Search Durham County DUI Records Online

Durham County DUI records can be searched online through the eCourts system. The county participates in the statewide portal that lets you find court dates, charges, and case info. You can also sign up for text or email alerts when your court date changes. This helps reduce failures to appear on DUI cases in Durham County.

The NC eCourts portal allows searches by name, case number, or attorney. You can view DWI case status, hearing dates, and judgments for Durham County. The portal is free for basic case info. However, the clerk's office warns that the portal is not designed for official background checks. For a certified DUI record search, visit the clerk in person.

You can also search for recent DUI-related arrests and incidents through the Durham Police Department's public portal. This tool shows recent police activity, including DWI arrests made by Durham PD.

The Durham County court page on the NC Judicial Branch site provides access to civil and criminal court calendars, where you can track upcoming DUI hearings. You can also use the contact directory to reach any court office in Durham County by phone.

The Durham County page on nccourts.gov is the starting point for finding DUI court information and local rules.

Note: Online searches through the portal only show cases filed in North Carolina courts and will not display federal or out-of-state DUI records.

Durham County DUI Background Checks

A certified DUI background check in Durham County is called a name inquiry check. It costs $25. You can get one in person or by mail. The check shows all criminal charges filed in Durham County, including DWI and impaired driving cases. The search is based on name and date of birth, not fingerprints.

To get a certified name inquiry check in person, go to Room 1300 on the first floor of the Durham County Courthouse. Give the clerk the person's name and date of birth. Pay the $25 fee at the cashier in Room 1200 first. The cashier takes credit cards, cash, certified checks, and money orders. You will get the results right away after payment.

To request by mail, send a letter to Clerk of Superior Court, Attn: Cashier Division, 510 S. Dillard St., Durham, NC 27701. Include the person's first and last name, middle initial if known, and date of birth. Add a $25 certified check or money order made payable to the Clerk of Superior Court. Personal checks are not accepted. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return copy.

The clerk's name inquiry check only searches Durham County records. It will not pick up DUI charges from other counties or states. For a statewide search, use the NC SBI background check service, which is based on fingerprints and covers all North Carolina counties.

DWI Laws Affecting Durham County Cases

All DUI cases in Durham County are charged under G.S. 20-138.1. This is the state's main DWI statute. It makes it a crime to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or more. The District Attorney's office at (919) 808-3010 prosecutes these cases. Durham County has a high volume of DWI cases due to its large population and urban setting.

Sentencing for DWI in Durham County follows G.S. 20-179. There are six levels of punishment. Level 5 is the least severe. Level 1 and Aggravated Level 1 carry the harshest penalties, including mandatory jail time. The judge weighs grossly aggravating, aggravating, and mitigating factors when setting the sentence. A prior DUI conviction within seven years is a grossly aggravating factor that can push the case to a higher level.

Under G.S. 20-16.2, North Carolina's implied consent law, any driver on Durham County roads agrees to a breath or blood test if stopped for suspected DWI. Refusing the test triggers a one-year civil revocation of your license under G.S. 20-16.5. This revocation is separate from the criminal DUI case. Some drivers in Durham County may seek a limited driving privilege under G.S. 20-19 after a DWI conviction.

Get Copies of Durham County DUI Case Files

You can get copies of DUI records from the Durham County Clerk of Superior Court. For District Court DWI cases, go to Room 1300 on the first floor. For Superior Court DUI cases, go to Room 2100 on the second floor. Bring your ID and the case number if you have it.

The Durham County Sheriff's Office Records Division is also on the first floor at 510 South Dillard Street. They handle incident reports, citations, and other law enforcement records. You can reach them at 919-560-0899. A copy of a report costs $3 in cash or $6.09 by credit card. The sheriff's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Criminal background checks from the sheriff are only for court officials. The public should use the clerk's office for DUI record searches.

The Durham PD public portal shows recent arrests and incidents that may include DWI cases in Durham County.

You can also file a public records request through the NC Courts records page. The Durham County government clerk page lists every department with room numbers and direct phone lines.

Note: Certified copies cost more than plain copies, and personal checks are not accepted for payment at the Durham County Courthouse.

Durham County DUI Expunctions

Some DUI charges in Durham County may be eligible for expunction. Dismissed cases and not guilty verdicts are the most common type. You must file a petition with the clerk to begin the process. The NC Courts expunction page provides forms and instructions.

The Durham County clerk cannot help you choose forms, fill them out, or give legal advice about your DUI expunction case. For help, contact an attorney, visit the public library, or use online resources. The clerk's office at (919) 808-3000 can tell you where to file your petition. You can check your court dates online if you have a pending DUI case in Durham County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Durham County. DUI cases are filed where the arrest took place. If you are not sure which county has the record, check the location of the traffic stop.