Find Durham Traffic Court Records
Durham traffic court records are kept at the Durham County courthouse on South Dillard Street. The clerk of court holds all traffic case files for citations issued in Durham. You can search Durham traffic records online through the state eCourts system or visit the courthouse in person. The Criminal and Traffic Division handles all traffic matters in Durham. This page explains how to find and access your Durham traffic court records.
Durham Traffic Court Quick Facts
Access Durham Traffic Court Records
Durham does not have a city court. Traffic cases in Durham go through the Durham County District Court. The state runs all courts in North Carolina at the county level. This means a ticket from Durham police goes to the same court as one from a Durham County deputy.
The Durham courthouse is at 510 S Dillard Street. The Criminal and Traffic Division is in Room 1300. This is where you go to handle a Durham traffic case in person. The main phone number is (919) 808-3000. For traffic matters, call (919) 808-3002.
| Court | Durham County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 510 S Dillard Street Durham, NC 27701 |
| Main Phone | (919) 808-3000 |
| Traffic Division | (919) 808-3002, Room 1300 |
| Payment Methods | Cash, Certified Check, Money Order, Debit/Credit |
The clerk does not accept personal checks for Durham traffic payments. You can pay with cash, a certified check, money order, or a debit or credit card. This applies at the window and by mail. If you mail a payment for a Durham traffic ticket, send it to the Criminal and Traffic Division at the Dillard Street address.
Durham Traffic Court Records
The eCourts portal lets you search Durham traffic court records from any device. Visit the portal and search by name or case number. The system covers all of Durham County. You can see the charge, status, and court date for any Durham traffic case.
You can also pay some Durham traffic fines online. The eCourts portal has a "Make Payments" option. Select your Durham case and follow the steps. Online payment counts as a guilty plea, so the violation stays on your Durham traffic record. Not every case qualifies for online payment. Check the portal to see if yours does.
Note: Online records show basic case data. For full documents or certified copies of Durham traffic records, contact the clerk at (919) 808-3002.
Durham Traffic Court Costs
Durham traffic infractions cost $193 in total. Other traffic offenses cost $191. These amounts include the fine and all court costs. The exact total depends on the charge. Some Durham traffic violations carry higher fines than others.
If you go to court in Durham and the judge finds you guilty, you pay the fine plus court costs at the clerk window. You can also set up a payment plan for Durham traffic fines if you cannot pay all at once. Ask the clerk about payment options when your Durham case wraps up.
Getting copies of Durham traffic court records has its own costs. The clerk charges per page for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Call (919) 808-3002 to ask about current copy fees for Durham traffic records.
Durham Traffic Court Dates
Your Durham traffic ticket shows the date you must appear in court. If you need more time, you need a continuance. In Durham, only the DA or a judge can grant a continuance for a traffic case. The clerk cannot do it. Call the court or talk to the DA before your court date if you need a delay on your Durham traffic case.
Missing your Durham court date has real consequences. The judge can issue an order for your arrest. Your license may be suspended. A failure to appear charge gets added to your Durham traffic record. Always respond to your ticket before the court date, even if you plan to pay by mail or online.
Durham traffic court runs on a set calendar. Cases are grouped by type and date. When you arrive at the courthouse, check the board in the lobby to find your courtroom. The Criminal and Traffic Division in Room 1300 can also direct you to the right place for your Durham traffic hearing.
Durham Sheriff Traffic Reports
The Durham County Sheriff also keeps records related to traffic incidents. If you need a copy of a traffic accident report in Durham, call the Sheriff at (919) 560-0899. Report copies cost $3.00 for a standard copy or $6.09 for a certified copy.
These are different from court records. A sheriff report covers what happened at the scene. A court record covers what happened in the legal case after the ticket was issued. You may need both types of Durham records depending on your situation. The sheriff report includes the officer's notes, witness statements, and diagrams. The Durham traffic court record includes charges, pleas, and the judge's ruling.
Traffic Court Records in Durham
Durham traffic court records are public. Anyone can search for them. You do not need to be the person named in the case. Under North Carolina law, court records are open for inspection. Visit the Durham County site for more details on how Durham handles traffic citations.
To search Durham traffic records in person, go to Room 1300 at 510 S Dillard Street. Bring the name or case number. The clerk will pull up the record and let you view it. If you want copies, pay the per-page fee at the window. Durham traffic records go back many years in the system.
Note: Some Durham traffic cases may be sealed or expunged. If a record has been removed by court order, it will not show up in a search. This is rare for traffic cases but can happen in certain situations.
Durham County Traffic Court Records
Durham is the county seat of Durham County. The city and county share the same name, and all Durham traffic cases go through the Durham County District Court. For full details on county court procedures, record fees, and other resources, visit the county page.