Criminal records in Strafford County, New Hampshire, are available through several channels. StraffordCourt.us allows quick access to publicly available information about criminal cases. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state court system, county law enforcement agencies, and the court clerk's office. The court system in New Hampshire operates at the state level rather than the county level, so many requests are directed to Strafford County agencies or directly to state courts.
How to Search Criminal Records in Strafford
Start your search by determining what data you have: the person's full name, date of birth, or case number. Each of these elements opens different search paths.
Online Search
- Go to StraffordCourt.us and enter a name or case number — this is a convenient way to find public information about criminal cases in the county.
- Use the New Hampshire Judicial Branch Court Case Search portal at https://www.courts.nh.gov — this is the official case search system for state courts where Strafford County criminal cases are heard.
- For federal criminal cases, use PACER. Cases filed after January 1, 2005, are stored electronically through the Federal District Court of New Hampshire.
- Police arrest reports are published by local police departments. For example, the Dover Police Department updates its arrest log weekly.
Through Law Enforcement Agencies
To search for active arrest warrants, contact the Strafford County Sheriff's Office. Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
In-Person Visit
Strafford County criminal cases are heard at the Strafford County Superior Court in Dover. You can visit the court clerk's office and use public access terminals to view cases. Bring a photo ID with you.
Written Request
A request for a criminal record check can be mailed to the New Hampshire State Police — Criminal Records Unit. You must submit a completed request form, fingerprints (for a full check), and the appropriate fee. Fingerprints are not required for a simple name-based search.
What You Need to Start a Search
- The person's full name
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
- Social Security number (only for official checks through state police)
Search Strafford Criminal Cases by Case Number
New Hampshire state courts use a standardized case number format. Understanding this format speeds up the search.
A typical criminal case number looks like this: 217-2024-CR-00123. Each part has significance:
- 217 — court code (Strafford County Superior Court)
- 2024 — year the case was filed
- CR — case type (CR stands for criminal case; other designations: CR for felonies and misdemeanors)
- 00123 — sequential case number within the year
For Circuit Courts, which handle less serious offenses, the court code will be different. Traffic violations and minor offenses usually have the designation of the respective Circuit Court Division.
With the full case number, enter it into the Judicial Branch portal or provide it to the court clerk — this is the fastest way to obtain information about a specific case.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Strafford
A criminal case contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of each.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) of New Hampshire, e.g., RSA 637:3 (theft) |
| Severity Level | Felony (Class A or B), Misdemeanor (Class A or B), Violation |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may amend or reduce charges during plea bargaining |
Case Status
- Pending — the case has been filed, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — the case is currently being heard in court
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedures have been completed, including sentence execution
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — the defendant's first appearance before a judge, charges are announced
- Preliminary Hearing — determination of sufficient evidence (usually for felonies)
- Pre-trial Conference — discussion of procedural issues by the parties before the trial
- Trial — court proceedings
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea
- Review Hearing — review of compliance with sentence conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted after trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed by prosecutor or judge |
| Nolle Prosequi | Prosecutor declined further prosecution |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal |
| Plea: Guilty / No Contest | The defendant pleaded guilty or did not contest the charges |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Strafford
Certified copies are official documents with the seal of the court or government agency that have legal force.
Clerk of Court
To obtain a certified copy of a court decision or materials of a specific case, contact the Strafford County Superior Court Clerk's Office. Requests can be made in person or by mail. Provide the full name of the party involved, the case number, and the type of document you need. A photo ID is required.
Criminal Record Check through State Police
A full criminal history check is conducted by the New Hampshire State Police — Criminal Records Unit. Two options:
- Name-Based Check — complete the Criminal Record Release Authorization Form and submit it by mail or in person.
- Fingerprint-Based Check — required for licensing, employment in certain fields. Fingerprints are taken at certified facilities.
Information about county inmates can be found through the Strafford County Department of Corrections. Archived inmate records are stored in the county archive.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Strafford
Fees depend on the type of request and the agency processing it. Below are the main rates established by New Hampshire law.
| Service | Cost | Source / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.25 | NH State Court Clerk's Office |
| Document certification | $5.00 | NH State Court Clerk's Office |
| Criminal record check (by name) | $25.00 | NH State Police, RSA 106-B:14 |
| Fingerprint-based check | $25.00 (state) + FBI fee | NH State Police |
| Access to PACER (federal cases) | $0.10 per page | Free up to $30 per quarter |
Processing Times
- Copies of court documents — usually 1 to 5 business days for in-person requests; mail requests may take up to 2 weeks.
- Criminal record check (by name) — 5 to 10 business days through NH State Police.
- Fingerprint-based check — 2 to 4 weeks, depending on FBI workload.
Payment at the court clerk's office is typically accepted by check or money order made payable to "Treasurer, State of New Hampshire." Confirm acceptable payment methods before visiting — some courts also accept credit cards.