Criminal records in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, are part of the public court records, accessible in several ways. RockinghamNHCourt.us allows searching for publicly available information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records are accessible through the state's official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the court clerk's office. Below is a practical guide to searching, requesting, and understanding criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Rockingham
Start your search at RockinghamNHCourt.us — it compiles publicly available information on county court cases. For federal cases, use the PACER system through the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, where electronic criminal case files have been stored since January 2005. A PACER account is required — it can be created online or by calling (800) 676-6856.
Online Search
- Visit RockinghamNHCourt.us and enter the person's name or case number.
- For state-level cases, check the New Hampshire Judicial Branch portal at courts.nh.gov.
- Search federal cases through the U.S. District Court's case file access portal.
In-Person Visit
The county court clerk's office in Brentwood provides access to public records. You can view cases at public access terminals in the courthouse. Bring a photo ID with you.
Mail Request
Send a written request to the court clerk's office or the New Hampshire Division of State Police, Criminal Records Unit. Include in your request:
- Full name of the person (first and last name)
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if available)
- Purpose of the request
Local police departments, such as the Salem Police, also accept record requests through their online forms and direct inquiries to the Rockingham County Attorney's office.
Search Rockingham Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the quickest way to find a specific criminal case. In New Hampshire, case numbers typically follow this format:
- County or court prefix — a letter code indicating the specific court (e.g., "217" for one of the Rockingham County courts).
- Filing year — two or four digits of the year the case was opened.
- Case type — a letter designation: "CR" for criminal cases, "S" for felony-level Superior Court.
- Sequential number — a unique numerical identifier within the year and court.
For example, a case might look like this: 217-2024-CR-00123. If you don't know the number, try searching by name — the court clerk can help clarify.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Rockingham
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Here's what they mean in practice.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code (RSA) | Reference to the Revised Statutes Annotated of New Hampshire under which the charge is brought |
| Severity Level | Felony, misdemeanor, or violation |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may alter the initial charge — this is reflected in the case materials |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made.
- Active — the case is in the hearing or trial stage.
- Disposed — the court has rendered a final decision.
- Closed — all procedures are complete, including sentence execution.
Hearings
Types of hearings in county criminal cases:
- Arraignment — the first court appearance where charges are read to the defendant.
- Preliminary hearing — the court assesses whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the case.
- Pre-trial conference — parties discuss the possibility of a plea deal or prepare for trial.
- Trial — the substantive court hearing.
- Sentencing — the issuance of a sentence after a guilty plea or verdict.
- Review hearing — checking compliance with sentence conditions (e.g., probation).
Court Results
| Result | What it Means |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not guilty | The court did not establish guilt |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict — the prosecutor dropped the charges or the court dismissed the case |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor decided not to pursue the prosecution |
| Acquitted | Complete exoneration after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Rockingham
Certified copies of criminal records are needed for employment, licensing, or legal proceedings. In Rockingham County, they can be obtained from several sources.
Superior Court Clerk's Office
To obtain certified copies of court decisions and case materials, contact the clerk's office:
Bring a photo ID. Provide the case number if you know it — this will significantly speed up processing.
New Hampshire State Police (Criminal Records Unit)
To obtain a complete criminal background check, submit a request to:
Requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or online. A fingerprint-based check requires fingerprinting at an authorized location.
Required Documents
- Completed Criminal Record Release Authorization Form
- Photo ID (driver's license or passport)
- Payment of the appropriate fee
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Rockingham
Fees depend on the type of request and the processing institution. Below are approximate amounts based on current rates.
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.25–$0.50 | Standard court clerk rate |
| Certification of copy | $5.00 per document | In addition to copying cost |
| Criminal history check (name-based) | $25.00 | Through the State Police Criminal Records Unit |
| Fingerprint-based check | $32.50–$50.00 | Depends on the purpose of the request (employment, licensing, etc.) |
Processing Times
- Copies at the court clerk's office — usually the same day for in-person requests or within 5–10 business days by mail.
- Criminal history check (name-based) — from 5 to 15 business days.
- Fingerprint-based check — can take up to 4–6 weeks, depending on request volume.
Fees are set according to RSA 106-B:14 and the Judicial Branch fee schedule. Confirm current amounts directly with the Rockingham County administration or the court clerk's office before submitting a request — rates are periodically reviewed.