Robeson County court records in North Carolina are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the clerk's office. RobesonCourt.us will help you find public information about court records in this county. Additional resources include the Robeson County page on the North Carolina Judicial Branch website, the contact directory of the clerk's office, and the official eCourts case search portal.
Robeson Court System Overview
Robeson County is part of Judicial District 16B in North Carolina. This judicial district exclusively serves Robeson County. The county's courts are divided into the Superior Court (a higher court for serious criminal and civil cases) and the District Court (a lower court for less serious cases, family law, and small claims). Magistrates operate as a division of the District Court — they conduct initial hearings, set bail, and handle small claims.
Courts Serving Robeson
Residents of Robeson County are served by several judicial bodies — from local to federal levels.
State Courts
The Magistrate's Office functions at the District Court and operates 24/7 to handle arrest warrants and set bail.
Federal Court
Federal Bankruptcy Court
Bankruptcy cases for county residents are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
What Types of Cases Robeson Courts Hear
Robeson County courts hear a wide range of cases. Here are the main categories:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Traffic violations and infractions
- Civil claims (including small claims)
- Family law: divorce, child custody, child support
- Probate, guardianship, conservatorship
- Juvenile cases and child protection
- Adoption
- DUI/DWI
Each of these categories is explored in more detail below.
District Court Cases in Robeson
The District Court in Robeson County handles misdemeanors, infractions, family law cases, juvenile cases, and civil claims up to $25,000. A District Court judge also hears appeals from magistrates' decisions on small claims. Criminal cases come here after a citation is issued by law enforcement or after a magistrate determines probable cause. The Superior Court, in turn, handles felonies after transfer from the District Court, as well as civil cases with claims over $25,000. Cases are assigned to judges according to a session calendar approved by the county's administrative judge.
Magistrate Court Cases in Robeson
Magistrates in Robeson County perform several key functions. They issue arrest and search warrants, set bail, and conduct initial hearings in criminal cases. Small claims up to $10,000 fall under their jurisdiction. A magistrate can also handle eviction cases and issue protective orders outside of business hours. Magistrate decisions on small claims can be appealed to the District Court, where the case will be heard de novo. The Magistrate's Office operates 24/7 for urgent matters — including arrests and bail setting.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Robeson
Family Law
Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and protective order cases are heard by the District Court. North Carolina requires at least one year of separation before filing for absolute divorce. The free online tool eCourts Guide & File helps prepare documents. General information about divorce and separation is published by the state's judicial branch. Divorce certificates are issued by both the court clerk's office and NC Vital Records.
Probate and Guardianship
The Clerk of Superior Court in Robeson acts as a probate judge. The office processes wills, appoints executors and estate administrators, and establishes guardianships for incapacitated individuals. Trust matters also fall under this jurisdiction.
Juvenile Matters
The Juvenile Court operates as part of the District Court. Cases involve juvenile delinquency, abuse, and neglect. Juvenile case records are confidential under North Carolina law — access is strictly limited.
How Cases Move Through the Robeson Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case begins with a complaint, citation, or arrest warrant. A civil case starts with the filing of a complaint with the court clerk. A family case begins with a petition.
- Judge Assignment. The clerk's office registers the case and assigns it a number. A judge is appointed according to the session calendar.
- Initial Hearings. In criminal cases — the first appearance before a magistrate or judge, where charges are announced and bail is set. In civil cases — a scheduling conference.
- Pre-Trial Phase. Filing motions, exchanging evidence (discovery), plea negotiations in criminal cases, or mediation in civil cases.
- Trial or Resolution. The case concludes with a verdict, settlement, plea, or default judgment.
- Post-Decision. Sentencing, filing an appeal, or enforcing the court's decision. Appeals from the District Court are filed with the Superior Court; appeals from the Superior Court go to the state's Court of Appeals.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Robeson
The administrative judge of Judicial District 16B is responsible for organizing the courts' work in Robeson. The Trial Court Administrator coordinates daily activities, schedules, and resources.
Local rules and forms for the Superior Court and District Court in Robeson County are published on the judicial branch's website. These rules govern filing deadlines, mediation procedures, and requirements for specific types of cases.
Public Access to Records
Under North Carolina law, most court records are public. Exceptions include juvenile cases, certain family cases, and records sealed by court order. Public terminals for case searches are available directly in the courthouse — searches can be conducted by defendant's last name or case number. Online searches are possible through the judicial branch's eCourts portal.
To request a public record, contact the court clerk's office in person or by mail. For a background check, it is recommended to contact the clerk's office directly rather than using the online portal.
Court hearings are generally open to the public. Hearing dates can be checked through the court date search tool. For information on remote participation, inquire with the court clerk's office.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Robeson
- Online Case Search. The eCourts portal allows case searches by last name or case number. For a detailed background check, it is better to contact the clerk's office.
- Court Session Calendar. The court date search shows the time, place, and type of hearing by case number or citation.
- Forms and Self-Help Resources. Robeson County local forms are available for download. A divorce document package can be prepared through eCourts Guide & File.
- Court Clerk's Office and Record Requests. Contact through the contact directory for copies of judgments, verdicts, and other documents.
- Register of Deeds. The Robeson County Register of Deeds maintains real estate documents, marriage licenses, and other official records.
- Birth, Marriage, Death Certificates. Can be ordered through NC Vital Records or at the county's register of deeds office.
- Inmate and Arrest Search. The Police2Citizen tool from the Robeson County Sheriff's Office shows recent arrests, charges, and bail information. To search for inmates in state prisons, use the Offender Search by the NC Department of Adult Correction.
- Detention Center. Information about detention center holding, visitation, and inmate account deposits is published by the sheriff's office.
- Expunction (Clearing) of Criminal Record. The expunction process allows certain charges or convictions to be removed from a criminal record. SBI also provides information on this process.
- Robeson County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office is located at 120 Legend Rd, Lumberton, NC 28358. Phone: (910) 671-3100.
- Tax Records and Online Services. County online services allow tax payments, viewing property information, and register of deeds documents.
- Archival Records. Historical county documents are stored in the North Carolina State Archives.
For up-to-date contact information for all county court offices, use the official Robeson County page on the judicial branch's website or RobesonCourt.us.