Criminal records in Grafton County, New Hampshire, are maintained by the court system, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. GraftonCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for Grafton County. You can also access records through the New Hampshire Judicial Branch court system, the Grafton County Sheriff's Office, and the clerk of court at the Grafton County Superior Court in North Haverhill.
How to Search Criminal Records in Grafton
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Grafton County. What you'll need depends on the method you choose, but having the person's full legal name, date of birth, or a case number will make any search more effective.
Online Search Options
- GraftonCourt.us — Search for publicly available criminal court record information tied to Grafton County cases.
- New Hampshire Judicial Branch Case Search — The state court system offers an online case lookup tool through the NH Judicial Branch website. You can search by party name or case number for cases filed in the Grafton County Superior Court or circuit courts covering Grafton County towns.
- Federal Cases — For federal criminal cases filed in New Hampshire, use PACER or visit the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire website for access instructions.
In Person
Visit the Grafton County Superior Court clerk's office at the Grafton County Courthouse in North Haverhill. Public access terminals may be available for searching case records during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request for criminal case records to the clerk of the Grafton County Superior Court. Include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available). For a statewide criminal history record check, submit a request to the New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit, which serves as the state's central criminal history repository under RSA 106-B:14.
Search Grafton Criminal Cases by Case Number
New Hampshire case numbers follow a structured format that identifies the court, case type, year, and sequence. A typical criminal case number in Grafton County Superior Court might look like this:
- Court prefix — Identifies the court location (e.g., "215" for Grafton County Superior Court).
- Year — The two-digit year the case was filed.
- Case type code — A letter or letters indicating the type of case. "CR" typically denotes a criminal case.
- Sequence number — A unique number assigned in the order the case was filed.
For example, a case number like 215-2024-CR-00123 would indicate a criminal case filed in Grafton County Superior Court in 2024. When searching online or requesting records, entering the full case number will return the most precise results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Grafton
Criminal case records in Grafton County contain several key data points. Here's what each one means:
Charges
- Statute codes — Each charge references a specific section of New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA). For example, RSA 637:3 covers theft.
- Severity — Charges are classified as felonies (Class A or Class B), misdemeanors (Class A or Class B), or violations under New Hampshire law.
- Amended charges — Prosecutors may amend charges during the case. The record will typically show both the original and amended charges.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case is open and awaiting resolution |
| Active | Case is currently being adjudicated |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final outcome |
| Closed | All proceedings and obligations are complete |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Initial court appearance where charges are read and a plea is entered.
- Preliminary hearing — A hearing to determine whether enough evidence exists to proceed (more common in felony cases).
- Pre-trial conference — A meeting between the parties to discuss case status, plea negotiations, or trial preparation.
- Sentencing — Hearing where the judge imposes a sentence after a conviction or guilty plea.
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearing to check compliance with court orders or probation conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was convicted of the charge |
| Not Guilty | Defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charge was dropped by the court or prosecution |
| Nolle Prosequi | Prosecution chose not to pursue the charge |
| Nolo Contendere | Defendant did not contest the charge (no contest plea) |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Grafton
Certified copies of criminal case records from Grafton County can be obtained through the clerk's office at the Grafton County Superior Court. For statewide criminal history checks, the New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit handles those requests.
Grafton County Superior Court — Clerk's Office
How to request:
- In person — Visit the clerk's office during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Ask the clerk for certified copies of the specific case records you need.
- By mail — Send a written request to the clerk's office at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and a description of the records you need. Include payment for applicable fees (check or money order payable to the Grafton County Superior Court).
Statewide Criminal History Record Check
For a complete New Hampshire criminal history report, submit a request to the New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit. You will need to complete a Criminal Record Release Authorization Form and provide fingerprints for a fingerprint-based check. These requests can be submitted by mail or in person at the State Police headquarters in Concord.
Grafton County Sheriff's Office
The Grafton County Sheriff's Office may be able to assist with records related to arrests or warrants within their jurisdiction.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Grafton
Fees for criminal records in Grafton County are set by New Hampshire statute and court administrative rules. Below are the standard fees:
| Service | Fee | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $0.50 | RSA 499:18 |
| Certification fee | $5.00 per document | RSA 499:18 |
| NH State Police criminal record check (name-based) | $25.00 | RSA 106-B:14 |
| NH State Police criminal record check (fingerprint-based) | $32.50 | RSA 106-B:14 |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the clerk's office are often fulfilled the same day or within a few business days, depending on the complexity of the request.
- Mail requests to the clerk's office typically take 1–2 weeks.
- State Police criminal history checks may take 2–4 weeks for name-based requests and longer for fingerprint-based checks.
Payment methods accepted at the clerk's office generally include checks and money orders. Call ahead to confirm whether cash or credit cards are accepted. For the Grafton County Department of Corrections, contact their office directly for any records related to current or former inmates.