New Hanover County DWI Record Lookup

New Hanover County DUI records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Wilmington. This coastal county is home to over 230,000 people and sits in Judicial District 6. Jan Kennedy serves as the Clerk of Superior Court and leads the team that manages all DWI case files. The courthouse at 316 Princess Street in Wilmington is where all DUI charges are filed and stored. You can search for DWI records in person at the clerk office, through the state online portal, or by contacting the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office records division.

New Hanover County Courthouse DUI Records

The New Hanover County Courthouse sits at 316 Princess Street in Wilmington. All DUI and DWI cases go through this location. The Clerk of Superior Court can be reached at (910) 772-6600. The mailing address is P.O. Box 2023, Wilmington, NC 28402. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

The courthouse in Wilmington has served New Hanover County since the colonial period. Today it houses both Superior Court and District Court operations. Superior Court handles felony DWI cases, civil matters over $25,000, and appeals from District Court. District Court manages misdemeanor DUI charges, traffic cases, and family law matters. Superior Court judge information is available at (910) 772-6616 and District Court at (910) 772-6612. Parking in downtown Wilmington can be tight, so arrive early when you plan to visit for DUI record requests.

Criminal records in New Hanover County are defined under North Carolina General Statutes 132-1.4 as official documentation of a person's interactions with the criminal justice system. DUI records fall into this category. Under the NC Public Records Act, these files are open for public inspection at no charge during business hours. Copies cost extra. Visit the NC Judicial Branch page for New Hanover County for full details on court services.

How to Find DUI Records in New Hanover County

There are several ways to search for DUI records in New Hanover County. The Clerk's office has public access terminals where you can look up DWI cases for free. Staff can also run a search if you give them a name or case number. To visit, go to 316 Princess Street in Wilmington during business hours and bring valid photo ID.

Online searches are available through the NC Court Records Portal. You can search by name or case number to find DWI cases filed in New Hanover County. The portal shows charges, court dates, case events, and outcomes. Basic case information is free. For copies of actual court documents, contact the Clerk or visit in person. You can also submit a written request to the Clerk at P.O. Box 2023, Wilmington, NC 28402.

The New Hanover County contact directory lists all the court office phone numbers. Copy fees in New Hanover County differ from most counties. Certified copies cost $25. Uncertified copies run $3 per page. These are higher than the standard rates in other North Carolina counties.

Note: Free in-person inspection of DUI records is guaranteed under North Carolina General Statutes 132-6.2, which says agencies can only charge for copies, not for viewing records.

DUI and DWI Laws in New Hanover County

DWI charges in New Hanover County follow North Carolina state law. Under G.S. 20-138.1, it is illegal to drive while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or any substance that impacts your ability to drive. A blood alcohol level of 0.08 or above means you are legally impaired. For commercial drivers, 0.04 is the limit. Drivers under 21 cannot have any amount of alcohol in their system.

Punishment for DWI in New Hanover County is set by G.S. 20-179 and ranges across six levels. Judges examine aggravating factors like prior DWI convictions, a very high blood alcohol level, or causing an accident that injured someone. They also consider mitigating factors like a clean driving record. Level Five is the lowest punishment level. Aggravated Level One carries up to three years of active prison time. All DWI convictions in New Hanover County become part of your permanent criminal record.

The implied consent law under G.S. 20-16.2 applies to every driver in New Hanover County. If you refuse a breath or blood test when asked by law enforcement, your license will be revoked for one year. Under G.S. 20-16.5, officers can seize your vehicle if your license was revoked for a prior DWI at the time of the new arrest. Habitual DWI under G.S. 20-138.5 is a felony for people with three or more prior convictions in ten years.

New Hanover County DUI Background Checks

The Clerk of Superior Court in New Hanover County runs criminal background checks that include DUI records. Certified background checks cost $25. Uncertified copies run $3 per page. Visit the courthouse at 316 Princess Street in Wilmington to submit your request. Bring a valid government photo ID.

The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office also provides criminal background checks through its Records Division. The Sheriff's Office is at 3950 Juvenile Center Road, Castle Hayne, NC 28429. Call (910) 798-4190 for the records division. Background checks through the Sheriff cost $15 per name searched and take 3 to 5 business days. For a statewide search, submit a request to the NC State Bureau of Investigation for $14. This search covers DWI records from every county in North Carolina.

The SBI background check page above explains how to request a statewide criminal history search that will include all DWI convictions, including those from New Hanover County.

DUI Record Retention in New Hanover County

New Hanover County follows strict record retention rules for DUI cases. Felony DWI case files for serious offenses are kept forever. Class F through I felony records, which include habitual DWI under G.S. 20-138.5, are kept for 20 years after the case closes. Misdemeanor DUI records stay on file for 5 to 10 years after the case ends. Domestic violence cases tied to DUI incidents are retained for 25 years.

DWI convictions cannot be expunged in North Carolina. Under G.S. 20-19, a DWI conviction in New Hanover County leads to license revocation. The length varies by number of prior offenses. A first DUI brings one year. A second brings four years. Three or more can mean permanent revocation. The New Hanover County criminal records page has more details about record categories, access procedures, and retention periods.

This NC Courts page explains the expungement process in North Carolina and confirms that DWI convictions are not eligible for expungement in New Hanover County.

Note: Record retention periods are set by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and apply to all counties including New Hanover.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near New Hanover County. A DWI case is filed in the county where the arrest happened. Check the location of the traffic stop to make sure you are searching for DUI records in the right place.