Craven County Superior Court cases in Craven County, New Bern, NC
Craven County Superior Court in New Bern is part of the North Carolina General Court of Justice, Superior Court Division-the state's trial court of general jurisdiction. It handles felony criminal cases; civil lawsuits where the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000; and requests for injunctive or declaratory relief, with jury trials available. The court also hears de novo appeals from District Court in criminal misdemeanors and infractions. Routine family law matters (such as divorce, custody, and child support) and most traffic offenses are handled in District Court rather than Superior Court, though traffic or misdemeanor cases may reach Superior Court on appeal.
Craven County Superior Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Superior Court |
| County: | Craven |
| Street Address: | 302 Broad St. |
| City: | New Bern |
| Zip Code: | 28560 |
| Phone: | 252-639-3000 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:30AM – 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/craven-county/craven-county-courthouse |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/craven-county/craven-county-local-rules-and-forms |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/craven-county/craven-county-local-administrative-schedules |
| Jury Service: | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/craven-county/craven-county-jury-service |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Linkedin: | https://www.linkedin.com/in/terri-sharp-53668b94/ |
| ADA: | Terri W. Sharp, Clerk of Court |
| ADA Phone: | 252-639-3020 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | Craven.DAC@nccourts.org |
| About / Additional Info: | Established in 1777, the superior courts are North Carolina’s oldest courts. Superior courts hear civil and criminal cases. Superior court is divided into five divisions and 48 districts across the state. Every six months, superior court judges rotate among the districts within their divisions. The rotation system is provided for by the state constitution and designed to minimize conflicts of interest that might result from having a permanent judge in one district. Each administrative superior court district has a senior resident superior court judge who manages the administrative duties of the court. 3B Superior court district consists of Carteret, Pamlico and Craven counties. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Craven County Superior Court
Craven County Superior Court serves the public by:
- Case filings and records: The Clerk of Superior Court accepts and maintains criminal and civil filings, judgments, liens, and special proceedings; provides certified copies; and processes payments.
- Case types: Felony criminal cases; civil actions generally exceeding $25,000 (tort, contract, real property, injunctions); condemnation/eminent domain; superior-court judgment enforcement; grand jury matters; and appeals for trial de novo from District Court.
- Protective orders: The Clerk processes domestic violence (50B) and civil no‑contact (50C) order filings and schedules related hearings (typically held in District Court).
- Jury services: Juror qualification, summons, deferrals, check‑in, orientation, and juror payment for grand and trial juries.
- Court hearings: Calendaring and conduct of motions, jury and non‑jury trials, pleas, and sentencings; management of criminal and civil dockets; issuance of orders and judgments; access to public court sessions and schedules.