Wake Traffic Court Records Lookup
Wake County traffic court records are managed through the Clerk of Superior Court and the Wake County Justice Center in Raleigh. Wake County is in Judicial District 10 and is the most populous county in North Carolina. The county has two main court buildings. The Wake County Courthouse handles civil matters. The Justice Center at 300 S Salisbury Street handles criminal cases, traffic court, and marriages. Traffic cases go through the Justice Center, which also holds the Administrative Traffic Court in Courtroom 101.
Wake County Quick Facts
Wake County Court Clerk Office
The Clerk of Superior Court in Wake County keeps all traffic court records. The traffic division operates out of the Wake County Justice Center at 300 S Salisbury Street in downtown Raleigh. Wake County staff can search cases by name, case number, or ticket date. They provide plain copies and certified copies of Wake County traffic records.
Wake County has two court buildings, and it is important to go to the right one. The Wake County Courthouse on Fayetteville Street handles civil cases. The Justice Center on Salisbury Street handles criminal cases, traffic matters, and marriage licenses. If you have a traffic ticket, the Justice Center is where you need to go.
Wake County serves a large area with many cities and towns. Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest, Garner, Knightdale, and Morrisville all fall under the Wake County court system. No matter where in the county your ticket was issued, the case goes through the Justice Center in Raleigh.
| Court |
Wake County Justice Center 300 S Salisbury St Raleigh, NC 27601 Phone: (919) 792-4300 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 3:30 PM (traffic court) |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/wake-county |
| PO Box 351, Raleigh, NC 27602-0351 |
Traffic Court Records in Wake
Wake County has an Administrative Traffic Court that runs from 7:45 AM to 3:30 PM in Courtroom 101 at the Justice Center. This is not a trial court. The officer who wrote your ticket is not present. The Administrative Traffic Court offers flexible hours and is designed to handle routine traffic matters more quickly than a standard court date.
When you arrive, sign in with the clerk outside Courtroom 101. The busiest time is between 7:45 AM and 9:30 AM, so plan for a longer wait if you show up in that window. If you can, come later in the morning or in the early afternoon for a shorter line. The policies for this court were last revised on January 6, 2025.
The Administrative Traffic Court handles cases where a driver wants to resolve a ticket without a full trial. You can talk with the assistant district attorney about your charge and try to reach an agreement. If a deal is made, it is recorded on the spot. If not, your case may be set for a regular court date in Wake County.
Wake Traffic Court Records
You can search traffic court records in Wake County through the state eCourts system. Go to nccourts.gov and enter a name or case number. The system returns results from Wake County and all other counties. Basic details like the charge, court date, and case status are shown in the results.
For the complete Wake County case file, visit the Justice Center in Raleigh. The online tool shows a summary of each Wake County case. The physical record has the full picture, including the citation, motions, court notes, and final judgment. Wake County staff can print copies. Ask for certified copies if you need them for a legal matter.
Phone calls are also accepted. Call (919) 792-4300 and ask about a case. The clerk can confirm the status of a traffic record in Wake County. For copies, visit in person or mail a request to PO Box 351, Raleigh, NC 27602-0351.
Paying Wake County Traffic Fines
Traffic fines in Wake County are paid at the Justice Center in Raleigh. When you pay a ticket, you plead guilty to the charge. The result goes to the DMV and lands on your driving record. Wake County offers several ways to pay.
In person at the Justice Center, you can pay with cash, credit card, debit card, money order, or certified check. No personal checks are accepted. This is a firm rule at the Wake County Justice Center. If you only have a personal check, you will need to get a money order or certified check before you visit.
To pay by mail, send a money order or certified check to PO Box 351, Raleigh, NC 27602-0351. Write your ticket or case number on it. Do not mail cash or personal checks. Online payment is also an option through the NC Courts services portal for some waivable tickets. Check your citation to see if you can pay this way.
Wake County government phone numbers for reference: Courts at 919-792-4000, Sheriff at 919-856-6900. For traffic fine questions, contact the Justice Center at (919) 792-4300.
Access Wake Traffic Court Records
On your court date in Wake County, go to the Justice Center at 300 S Salisbury Street. Arrive by the time on your ticket. If you are going to the Administrative Traffic Court, head to Courtroom 101 and sign in with the clerk outside the door. The busiest window is 7:45 to 9:30 in the morning. Coming later can save you time in line.
Dress in clean, neat clothes. Do not bring food or drinks into the Wake County courtroom. Turn off your phone before court starts. If you want to contest the charge in Wake County, be ready to explain your side. In the Wake County Administrative Traffic Court, the officer is not present, but in a regular traffic court session the officer may be there to share the facts of the stop.
After the matter is resolved, the Wake County clerk records the outcome. If you must pay, do so at the window in the Wake County Justice Center that same day. The result becomes part of your Wake County traffic court record and is sent to the DMV.
Get Wake Traffic Court Records
A traffic court record in Wake County holds details about each case from start to finish. The file begins with the citation itself. It lists the date, time, and place of the stop. It names the charge, the officer, and the driver. After the case is heard, the record shows the final outcome.
Common items in a Wake County traffic record include:
- The original traffic citation
- Court date and courtroom number
- Final judgment or case outcome
- Fines and court costs paid
- Any reduced or dismissed charges
Traffic records in Wake County are public under North Carolina law. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not need to be named on the case. Some details about minors may be kept private, but most of the file is open to the public at the Justice Center.
Wake County Court Resources
The NC Courts traffic page covers how violations affect your record. Court forms are at nccourts.gov/documents/forms. These include motions, appeals, and fee waiver requests used in Wake County traffic court and all other North Carolina counties.
Legal Aid of North Carolina can help those who qualify for free assistance. Call (866) 219-5262. The North Carolina State Bar lawyer referral line at 1-800-662-7660 connects callers with attorneys who handle traffic cases in Wake County. The expunctions page has forms for clearing eligible Wake County traffic court records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Wake County. Make sure you check the county on your ticket before contacting a court. Your case must be handled in the county where the citation was issued.