Guilford County, located in Central North Carolina and named after Francis North, the Earl of Guilford, was established in 1771. The county has a population of over 540,000 residents and covers a landmass of approximately 1,704 square kilometers. The county known for its significant role during the American Revolutionary War, especially in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in 1781, has its county seat, Greensboro City.

Courts in Guilford County

The judiciary system in Guildford comprises Superior and District Courts. The Guildford County Superior Courts handles felonies, civil cases for amounts more than $25,000 in dispute, and appeals from the District Court. The courts handle complex legal issues, including monetary disputes and real property cases. The Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over Probate matters, including administrating deceased estates and guardianship cases.

The Guilford County District Courts have authority over certain criminal cases, including misdemeanors, infractions, municipal ordinance violations, and civil cases for claims less than $25,000. The District Court has a Small Claims Division that handles civil disputes for claims $10,000 or less. The District Court presides over domestic relations and juvenile matters, including child custody, paternity, domestic violence protection,  divorce, annulment, and alimony.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Guilford County

Public court records are the documents from criminal and civil proceedings in Guilford County, maintained by the court and open to the public. The Guildford County Clerk of Superior Court Office provides access to public court records using the Open Public Records portal. In addition, the Clerk's  Office permits in-person requests for public court records during official hours. Record seekers may also order public court records by mail.

Types of Public Court Records in Guilford County

Public access to court records ensures the judiciary operates with transparency and fairness. Public court records available to Guildford County residents include:

• Criminal Court Records: Misdemeanors and felonies such as arson, aggravated assaults, shoplifting and vandalism
• Civil Court Records: Property disputes, breach of contract, foreclosures, employment disputes
• Probate Records: Guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and wills
• Family Court Records: Divorce, annulments, alimony, child custody, and child support records
• Traffic Records: Illegal parking, speeding tickets, expired license, and driving under the influence records

Confidential Court Records in Guilford County

Confidential court records in Guilford County refer to the documents maintained by the courts but closed to the public. Confidential court records are private and sensitive information that may result in an unwarranted invasion of privacy. Confidential court records are sealed by the courts. They are available only to persons with tangible interests or a court order. Confidential court records in Guilford County include:

• Medical and mental health records
• Trade secrets
• Grand jury proceedings
• Crime victim's personal information
• Juvenile court records
• Adoption records

Similarly, personal information within court records is confidential and restricted from public access. Disclosure of personal data may threaten an individual's safety, leading to identity theft and fraud. Personal identifiers such as social security numbers, bank account and credit card information, vehicle plate numbers, tax identification numbers, and home and personal email addresses are redacted from public court records.

Juvenile Delinquency in Guilford, NC

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Guilford County, juvenile delinquency issues are on the rise. There are many reasons for the rise in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in North Carolina often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of crimes, and other family matters.

In 2017, a total of 730 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Guilford County. Of that total, 89% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 652 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

A lot of counties, including, Guilford County, are focusing on family therapy and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Guilford County juvenile delinquency numbers will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Guilford County, NC

https://www.nc.gov/

County Seat:	Greensboro and High Point
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1770
Total Square Miles:	658
2019 Population:	526,953
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00
County Contact:	PO BOX 3427 County Courthouse Greensboro , NC 27402-3427 https://www.guilfordcountync.gov

Guilford County, NC Courts