Nash County
Nash County was formed in 1777 from parts of Edgecombe County and was named after Francis Nash, a brigadier general of the Continental Army. Nash County covers approximately 540.4 square miles and has a population of around 95,015. Its largest city is Rocky Mount while Nashville serves as the county seat.
Nash County court system comprises the Superior and the District Courts which are part of the North Carolina Judicial Branch. Nash County Superior Court has general jurisdiction over criminal cases, including felonies, lesser-included offenses, and misdemeanors. Also, general civil claims exceeding $25,000, probate cases, injunctions, requests for declaratory relief, adoptions, and complex business issues fall within its purview. The District Court oversees cases involving most misdemeanors, most infractions, and minor civil cases not exceeding $25,000. It also handles involuntary mental health commitments, family law matters such as divorce, domestic violence protection cases, child custody, and support, as well as guilty pleas in felony cases. In addition, juvenile cases, municipal ordinances violations, and preliminary hearings for all criminal matters are resolved in the District Court.
Court records in Nash County may include details such as case motions, court orders, transcripts, dockets, judgments, and pleas generated during legal proceedings within the county. They are useful for background checks to verify an individual's legal status. Public records include:
- Civil Records
- Criminal Records
- Probate Records
- Traffic Records
Nash County residents can access most court records under North Carolina's Open Records Law, except those deemed confidential such as records on juvenile, mental health, or sealed cases. These records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court, who provides access at the courthouse, often via public access kiosks at:
234 W Washington Street
Nashville, NC 27856
Phone: (252) 220-3000
The North Carolina eCourts Portal also offers a way for users to view public court records for free online.
