Cleveland County
Cleveland County is situated in the southwestern region of North Carolina as part of the Charlotte-Concord Combined Statistical Area. It was established in 1841 and named after Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, an American Revolutionary War hero. The county has a population of around 99,527 residents occupying its land mass of approximately 464.2 square miles. Shelby, the largest city in the county, serves as the county seat.
Cleveland County operates within North Carolina's unified court system, which includes both the Superior and District Courts. Cleveland County Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction responsible for handling criminal offenses such as felonies and civil claims exceeding $25,000. The Superior Court also manages probate matters, foreclosures, certain injunctions, and requests for declaratory relief. In addition, it oversees jury trials for criminal and civil cases, including complex business disputes. The District Court in Cleveland County deals with misdemeanor criminal offenses, most infractions, municipal ordinance violations, and civil cases where the amount in dispute is less than $25,000. The District Court also has jurisdiction over family law cases, such as divorce, child custody, and alimony. Other cases handled by the District Court include small claims disputes under $10,000, juvenile delinquency, and landlord-tenant conflicts. Furthermore, preliminary hearings for felony cases are held in the District Court before being transferred to the Superior Court if necessary.
Court records in Cleveland County document all legal proceedings and include case filings, motions, transcripts of hearings, judicial orders, and decisions for both criminal and civil cases within the county. These records serve as precedents for future judgments. Available court records include:
- Civil Records
- Criminal Records
- Probate Records
- Family Records
- Traffic Records
The Cleveland County Clerk's Office manages and provides access to court records under North Carolina's Public Records Law. However, restricted records, such as juvenile and adoption records, are limited to authorized individuals. Records can be accessed online via the North Carolina eCourt portal, which allows a record seeker to conduct a name-based search. Requesters can also visit the Clerk's Office for physical copies of court records and docket information at:
100 Justice Place
Shelby, NC 28150
Phone: (704) 484-4757
