Rutherford County Superior Court cases in Rutherford County, Rutherfordton, NC
Rutherford County Superior Court in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, is the state Superior Court (trial court of general jurisdiction) within the North Carolina General Court of Justice. It conducts jury and nonjury trials in felony criminal cases; hears civil lawsuits typically involving claims exceeding $25,000 or requests for equitable relief; convenes grand juries; and hears appeals for trial de novo from District Court in misdemeanor and infraction matters, including traffic offenses. The court also conducts de novo reviews of certain decisions of the Clerk of Superior Court, such as in foreclosures and other special proceedings. Most family law and original misdemeanor/traffic matters are handled in District Court, not Superior Court.
Rutherford County Superior Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Superior Court |
| County: | Rutherford |
| Street Address: | 229 N. Main St. |
| City: | Rutherfordton |
| Zip Code: | 28139 |
| Phone: | 828-288-6100 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:30AM – 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/rutherford-county/rutherford-county-courthouse |
| Forms & Filing: | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/rutherford-county/rutherford-county-local-rules-and-forms |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | https://www1.aoc.state.nc.us/www/calendars/Civil.jsp?county=RUTHERFORD |
| Jury Service: | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/rutherford-county/rutherford-county-jury-service |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/steve.owens.9659 |
| ADA: | Steve Owens, Clerk of Court |
| ADA Phone: | 828-288-6100 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | Rutherford.DAC@nccourts.org |
| Special Access: | Wheelchair Access is available. |
| 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. 29A Superior court district consists of McDowell and Rutherford counties. |
| Wikipedia: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutherford_County_Courthouse_(North_Carolina) |
Services and Case Types Handled in Rutherford County Superior Court
Rutherford County Superior Court (NC) serves the public as the trial court of general jurisdiction. Core functions:
- Criminal: all felony prosecutions, related pretrial hearings, probation violations, post-conviction motions, and grand jury empanelment.
- Civil: lawsuits typically over $25,000, injunctive/emergency relief, land/title disputes, and civil jury trials.
- Appeals: trial de novo from District Court in eligible matters; review of certain administrative decisions.
- Jury services: summonsing, qualification, deferrals, and juror management for Superior and District sessions.
- Case filings and records: the Clerk of Superior Court accepts filings, maintains dockets, collects fees, and provides copies/public access.
- Protective orders: 50B/50C petitions are filed through the Clerk and ordinarily heard in District Court; related matters or appeals may be addressed in Superior Court.
- Court hearings: calendars and conducts motion hearings, plea/sentencing, and jury/non-jury trials.