If you are a North Carolina business owner or have customers located in the state, it is important for you to stay abreast of North Carolina district court laws and regulations. North Carolina laws and regulations include guidelines for a range of business activities such as running criminal background checks on prospective employees and disputing business agreements with vendors, suppliers and other business partners. Whether you are filing a civil claim or running criminal background checks on a prospective employee.

There are 40 North Carolina district courts with more than 200 district court judges who hear over two million cases per year. As a business owner you’ll need to know what to do in North Carolina district court and how to obtain NC court records. To learn more about North Carolina district court laws and regulations, you need to:

1. Review details about the civil proceedings in NC district court.

2. Read more about criminal cases in NC district court and superior court.

3. Know where to look for NC court public records.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Obtain education about civil cases in NC district court

The majority of civil cases are heard before the North Carolina district court. Civil claims are those that deal with the private rights of citizens such as in contract or other non-criminal business agreement disputes. Typically judges for the district court of North Carolina will rule on civil cases involving less than $10,000. Claims of more than $10,000 are heard in the North Carolina Superior Court.

I recommend: Learn more about NC civil proceedings by visiting The North Carolina Court System. You may also consider discussing NC civil proceedings with an attorney from Hopper Law Firm.

Learn about criminal cases in NC district court

North Carolina has over 400 criminal laws. Criminal cases can be heard in a NC Superior Court or a NC district court. The most serious cases, those that involve felony charges, are typically heard in NC Superior Court. Misdemeanor cases are generally heard in a NC district court.

I recommend: Read more about obtaining North Carolina criminal case details by visiting ABCNC.com. You may also consider contacting David B. Smith to learn more about the NC criminal court system.

Obtain North Carolina court records

You can obtain a certified copy of an individual's criminal record by contacting the clerk of the NC Superior Court. There is generally a fee for this service. Unofficial, free NC court records can also be obtained by using the public access terminals available in the clerk of NC Superior Court office. You may also obtain NC court public records from various companies within the state that sell public information.

I recommend: Consider checking out PublicRecordFinder.com to obtain NC public records. You can also check out the NC District and Superior Court Query online to obtain public information.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While all counties within North Carolina have the capability to post their NC court calendar for criminal and civil cases on the web, some don't have adequate staff to do so. If you have a question about a court calendar that is not posted on the Internet, you can contact the North Carolina Clerk of Courts office for additional information.

The North Carolina District Court system is part of the judicial branch of the federal government. Whether you are an attorney filing a federal case, a business owner pursuing or responding to litigation at the federal level or simply interested in reviewing North Carolina District Court records that affect your industry, you can access necessary information and even conduct case filing online through the District Court of North Carolina.

In many cases, you will have a choice about whether to file a case in the federal or state courts. Bankruptcy and intellectual property disputes, however, are important exceptions; these cases may only be tried at the federal level, in the North Carolina District Court. As with most states, North Carolina is divided geographically into more than one federal court district, and you will need to file or request information from the appropriate NC District Court. Use online resources to:

1. Identify the correct North Carolina District Court for filing a case.

2. Obtain forms and information about the federal NC court calendar.

3. Gain access to North Carolina District Court records.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Identify the appropriate North Carolina District Court

There are three federal court districts in North Carolina. Select the correct geographic North Carolina District Court website for information and resources.

I recommend: The Eastern District Court of North Carolina has four divisions, with public offices in Raleigh, Greenville and Wilmington. The North Carolina District Court's Middle District covers Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Durham. The Western District Court of North Carolina has its divisional offices in Asheville, Charlotte, Bryson City and Statesville.

File North Carolina District Court cases and access NC court calendar information electronically

Use online resources to file cases electronically and track the federal NC court calendar in each district. You must register to use the federal electronic filing and case management system, and each North Carolina District Court requires its own registration.

I recommend: File NC District Court cases, obtain case information and monitor the relevant federal NC court calendar by registering and logging in to the electronic database at the Eastern, Middle or Western District Court of North Carolina.

Obtain North Carolina court records

The best way to obtain federal NC court records information is to use PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), the government's online database; registration is required. Other free NC court records databases may be less complete, but often provide easier access. For full reports, you'll have to go beyond free NC court public records.

I recommend: Register to use PACER for access to North Carolina District Court rulings. Use Justia.com to search for North Carolina District Court case by party name, case type or date; you can search by district or include the entire state. For full North Carolina District Court reports, the unofficial source is Thomson West's Federal Supplement; bankruptcy records from AR District Courts are available in Thomson West's Bankruptcy Reporter.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't confuse the State District Court of North Carolina system, formerly known as the municipal courts, with the federal North Carolina District Court, especially when searching for NC court records.

If you are a working professional in the legal industry of North Carolina, then it is imperative you stay up-to-date on the latest North Carolina court records. From judgments to rulings to changes in the interpretation of law, having the latest knowledge about the most recent rulings will keep you ahead of the competition as you prepare for your clients legal proceedings.

Take the time to locate quality links to information about the North Carolina district court so that they will be at your fingertips whenever you need them. Here are a few places to begin your search so that you'll be up-to-date on everything from court calendars in North Carolina to the latest NC court records.

1. Check out state sponsored websites for the latest North Carolina district court news and trends

2. Find databases that allow you to look up North Carolina court records.

3. Find websites and publications which keep track of the NC court calendar and write about the outcome of district court cases.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Go to official North Carolina websites for news on NC district court

When looking for the latest information on a district court of North Carolina, it's sometimes best to go to the source. Visiting state sponsored websites will allow you to view press releases and articles on the latest appointments and rulings from the bench that interpret North Carolina law.

I recommend: Visit the website for the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. They release articles on the latest news on everything from the NC court calendar to rulings from a North Carolina District court. The official website for the State of North Carolina also releases news about the latest appointments to the North Carolina courts.

Search databases for NC court records

When it comes to locating news and trends about the NC court system, part of the information you'll want to know are the criminal and civil trials that are occurring or have occurred and the status of their outcome. Find reputable databases that allow you to search these court cases so you can locate the news of the verdict as soon as it breaks.

I recommend: Visit the website for GovsCourtsRecords to gain information on North Carolina district court records. Another great resource for obtaining court records is 123NC. Simply type in some cursory information and they will provide a criminal and civil judgment records search.

Find resources which keep tabs on the NC court calendar and results of trials and hearings

Finding resources that keep tabs on the NC court calendar and the outcome of trials and hearings is a great way to get free NC court records without having to dig through wades of stacks at your local courthouse. The state of North Carolina keeps a schedule of their court calendar on their state sponsored website. Also, there are publications which write in detail about the opinions and rulings made by various courts in North Carolina. These publications also detail important upcoming trials.

I recommend: Visit the website for the North Carolina Court System. They keep a comprehensive NC court calendars on the trial schedule within the state of North Carolina. Also check out NC Lawyers Weekly as a great resource for the wrap-up of the cases that occurred the previous week.

The North Carolina District Court system contains three districts — the Eastern, Middle and Western. The Eastern District has divisions in Greenville, Raleigh and Wilmington. The Middle District has divisions in Durham, Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Finally, the Western District has divisions in Asheville, Bryson City, Charlotte and Statesville.

Services provided to the public include court interpreters to accommodate non-English speaking individuals, as well providing technological equipment, such as assisted listening devices, document cameras and touchscreen monitors utilized in courtroom proceedings. The Internet is also a resource that allows individuals to access court records and attorneys to file court documents online.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Court interpreters

To reflect the diverse population living in the United States today, North Carolina District Courts provide court interpreters to facilitate communication between English and non-English speaking individuals during court proceedings.

I recommend: Refer to the court interpreters’ webpage for more information regarding the utilization of services.

Courtroom technology

North Carolina District Courts are integrating modern technology into the courtroom processes. One may now find technological equipment such as assisted listening devices, high-resolution monitors, document cameras, touchscreen monitors and VCR, DVD and laptop connections.

I recommend: Refer to the Eastern District and Middle District websites to learn of the courtroom technology integrated in their courtrooms.

Federal rules

North Carolina District Courts must follow federal rules for civil and criminal procedures. Federal rules for civil procedures include provisions on pleadings, motions and orders, disclosures and discovery, trials, and special proceedings. Federal rules for criminal procedures include provisions on preliminary proceedings, grand juries and post-conviction procedures.

I recommend: Refer to the Cornell University School of Law for information on federal rules for civil and criminal procedures.

Online System for Clerkship Application and Review (OSCAR)

The Online System for Clerkship Application and Review, also known as OSCAR, serves as an employment database notifying individuals of clerkship vacancies. OSCAR is also accommodating to judges and their staff by allowing them to receive their choice of paper or electronic applications.

I recommend: For more information, refer to the Online System for Clerkship Application and Review website.

Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER)

The Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system allows individuals to access United States District Court and United States Bankruptcy Court records for a minimal fee. One can perform searches on criteria such as the party name, case number or nature of suit code.

I recommend: To register, refer to the Public Access to Court Electronic Records webpage.

Case Management/Electronic Case Files

Case Management/Electronic Case Files not only allows federal courts to more readily manage cases and documents but also serves as a convenient way for attorneys to file court documents. Attorneys may upload documentation saved in a Portable Document Format (PDF) 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the convenience of their office or anywhere they have internet connection. Other benefits include financial savings with not having to mail or have staff hand deliver documents and the ability to access documents and track court cases online.

I recommend: For more information, refer to the Case Management/Electronic Case Files website.