Winston-Salem Criminal Court Records
Winston-Salem criminal court records are held by the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court. Winston-Salem is the fifth-largest city in North Carolina with around 250,000 residents. The city has no criminal court of its own. All criminal charges in Winston-Salem are handled by the Forsyth County court system. You can search Winston-Salem criminal court records at the courthouse on North Main Street or through the state eCourts portal online.
Winston-Salem Quick Facts
Winston-Salem Criminal Court Records
Winston-Salem does not operate a criminal court. North Carolina assigns all criminal cases to county courts. Crimes that happen in Winston-Salem go to the Forsyth County courthouse. Felonies are heard in Superior Court. Misdemeanors go to District Court.
The Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court stores all criminal records for Winston-Salem. The courthouse is at 200 North Main Street, right in downtown. The phone number is (336) 741-1700. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. You can use the free public access terminals to search for criminal cases. A certified criminal record check is $25 per name. Copy fees follow the standard NC Administrative Office of Courts schedule.
| Court | Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 N. Main Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 |
| Phone | (336) 741-1700 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/forsyth-county |
Note: The courthouse is on Main Street in downtown Winston-Salem with metered street parking and nearby parking decks available.
How to Search Winston-Salem Criminal Court Records
You can search Winston-Salem criminal court records two ways. Go online or visit the clerk's office in person.
The NC eCourts portal lets you search Forsyth County cases from anywhere. It is free. Type in a name, case number, or citation. The portal shows charges, court dates, and case outcomes. No sign-up is needed for basic searches. Recent cases are most likely to appear. Older Winston-Salem criminal court records may not be in the portal yet.
At the courthouse, walk into the clerk's office and use a public terminal. These are free. Staff can help if you need it. You can view full case files during hours. For a certified check, fill out Form AOC-CR-314 and pay $25. Results include all criminal cases in Forsyth County, which covers Winston-Salem and the surrounding area.
Winston-Salem Criminal Court Records Sources
The Winston-Salem Police Department handles law enforcement in the city. WSPD makes arrests and writes reports. Court records are kept by the county clerk. For arrest reports, contact the police. For case files, go to the Forsyth County clerk.
WSPD headquarters is at 725 North Cherry Street in Winston-Salem. The Records Division is at (336) 773-7835. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Arrest and incident reports are available through this office. Crime stats and data are on the WSPD website.
The Winston-Salem Police Department website provides public information about incidents and crimes in the city. Reports from WSPD feed into the Forsyth County court system once charges are filed, creating the criminal court records you can search through the clerk's office.
The Winston-Salem Police Department page above is where you can find contact information for the records division and learn about law enforcement resources in the city.
Forsyth County Criminal Court Resources
The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office handles warrants, the county jail, and court security for Winston-Salem. The main office is at 120 West 3rd Street. Phone is (336) 917-7001. The detention center is at (336) 917-7100. An online inmate search is available.
The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office shown above manages the detention center and provides warrant services for all criminal cases originating in Winston-Salem. Contact them at (336) 917-7002 for records questions.
The NC SBI keeps statewide criminal data. A state fingerprint check costs $14. The NC Department of Adult Correction offender search covers state prison inmates and those on probation or parole. It does not include Forsyth County jail data.
Note: The Forsyth County Sheriff provides fingerprinting services at (336) 917-7011 for those who need an SBI background check processed.
Winston-Salem Criminal Court Records Types
Winston-Salem criminal court records cover a wide range of cases. Felonies are the most serious. These include crimes like armed robbery, drug trafficking, and assault with a deadly weapon. A grand jury indicts felony defendants. Superior Court handles felony trials with a 12-person jury. Felony records include indictments, motions, plea deals, and judgments.
Misdemeanors are less serious. They include simple assault, shoplifting, and DWI. District Court handles misdemeanors. A judge decides. No jury. If convicted, the person can appeal to Superior Court for a jury trial. Misdemeanor records from Winston-Salem include citations, warrants, and court orders.
Traffic infractions are also on file. These are not crimes. They carry no jail time. But they are part of the court record in Forsyth County. All case types can be searched at the clerk's office or online through the eCourts portal.
State Resources for Winston-Salem Criminal Records
The NC Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered offenders in Winston-Salem. It is free. Search by name, address, or county. You can sign up for email alerts. The NC State Archives in Raleigh holds historical court documents. Most records from the 1800s are on microfilm there.
The NC Department of Adult Correction at (919) 733-2126 handles questions about state prison records. Their offender search tool covers inmates, probationers, and parolees. It does not cover people in the Forsyth County detention center. For that, call the sheriff at (336) 917-7100.
Restricted Criminal Records in Winston-Salem
Certain Winston-Salem criminal court records are not public. Juvenile cases are closed under N.C.G.S. 7B-3000. Expunged records are removed. Sealed cases need a court order to open. Grand jury proceedings stay secret under G.S. 15A-623.
If you think a Winston-Salem record should be open but cannot find it, contact the Forsyth County clerk at (336) 741-1700. The NC Courts obtaining records page explains the rules in full detail.
Forsyth County Criminal Court Records
Winston-Salem is the county seat of Forsyth County. All criminal cases from the city are filed at the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court. For the full county guide with fees, court structure, and other resources, visit the Forsyth County page.