Macon County
Macon County, formed in 1828, is located in the western part of the state and is named after Nathaniel Macon. The county has about 515.6 square miles of land and is the 39th largest county in North Carolina by total area. Franklin serves as the county's administrative hub. Macon County has a population of approximately 37,014 residents, according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
The court system in Macon County consists of a Superior Court and a District Court. The Macon County Superior Court has general jurisdiction over most civil and criminal cases, handling matters beyond the scope of the District Court. It oversees felony criminal cases, larger civil disputes, misdemeanors, injunctions, and adoptions. The Superior Court has exclusive authority over probate matters, such as estate administration, and primary jurisdiction over most guardianship cases. The District Court in Macon County handles specific civil and criminal cases. Its criminal jurisdiction includes most misdemeanors, infractions, and municipal ordinance violations, along with preliminary hearings for all criminal cases and accepting guilty pleas in some felonies cases. Its civil jurisdiction covers claims of $25,000 or less, excluding interest and costs. The District Court also oversees domestic relations cases, including divorce, alimony, and domestic violence protection, as well as juvenile matters such as child abuse, emancipation, and termination of parental rights.
Court records in Macon County are created during legal proceedings conducted within the county's court system. These include filings, motions, evidence, judgments, and court orders, providing a comprehensive account of legal activities. Macon County court records include the following:
- Civil Records
- Probate Records
- Traffic Records
- Criminal Records
In Macon County, the Clerk of Court is responsible for preserving records for both District and Superior Courts. These records are accessible to the public and legal professionals, except in cases sealed by law. Individuals seeking to access the county's court records may search through the North Carolina Judicial Branch portal or visit the Macon County courthouse in person at:
Macon County Clerk of Court
5 West Main Street, PO Box 288
Franklin, NC 28744
Phone: (828) 349-7200
