Find Forsyth County Criminal Court Records

Forsyth County criminal court records are housed at the Clerk of Superior Court in Winston-Salem. Forsyth County is one of the larger counties in North Carolina, and its courts handle a high volume of criminal cases each year. You can search for records through the state's online portal or at the courthouse on North Main Street. The clerk's office keeps files for all felony and misdemeanor charges in Forsyth County. These criminal court records are public and can be accessed by anyone under state law.

Forsyth Criminal Court Records Clerk

The Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court keeps all criminal case records. The courthouse is at 200 N. Main Street in Winston-Salem. Call (336) 779-6300 to reach the clerk's office.

Forsyth County is in Judicial District 21. The clerk's office handles criminal cases, civil matters, estates, and special proceedings. For criminal records, you can search by name or case number using the public access terminals in the office. Staff can help you find what you need. The office is open weekdays from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Visit the Forsyth County NC Courts page for the full contact directory and local court rules.

Forsyth County also posts its criminal and civil calendars online. Check court dates before you go to the courthouse.

Search Forsyth County Records Online

The NC eCourts Portal is the main online tool for searching Forsyth County criminal court records. It is free and works from any computer or phone. You can search by party name, case number, citation number, or attorney name.

The portal shows case details like charges, hearing dates, and case status. You can view documents tied to a case. Printing is free from the portal. For copies that need a court stamp, contact the Forsyth County clerk's office. The portal does not require registration for basic searches, but signing up lets you save cases and track them over time. Payment of fines and fees for criminal cases is also possible through the portal using Visa, MasterCard, or Discover cards.

Note: The eCourts Portal does not include sealed cases, unreturned warrants, or juvenile records from Forsyth County.

For older criminal court records in Forsyth County that are not online, contact the clerk's office. Some files may have been moved to storage or archived with the NC State Archives. Historical records from the 1800s and early 1900s are often held at the state level. The clerk can tell you where to look for a specific case. Under G.S. Chapter 132, all court records are public unless sealed by a judge or expunged by court order.

Forsyth County Criminal Court Records Overview

The North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a page for Forsyth County with court contacts and resources. You can view the Forsyth County courts page for calendars, local rules, and jury service details.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office handles arrests and detention in the county. The sheriff's office is at 120 W. 3rd Street in Winston-Salem. You can reach them at (336) 917-7001 for arrest records and inmate details.

The Winston-Salem Police Department at (336) 773-7700 handles law enforcement within the city. Incident reports and arrest records from the police are separate from the court records kept by the clerk.

Criminal Cases in Forsyth County Courts

Forsyth County courts process a wide range of criminal cases. The type of charge determines which court hears the case.

All felony charges go to Superior Court in Forsyth County. This includes drug crimes, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and other serious offenses. Under NC law, defendants who plead not guilty get a trial before a 12-person jury. Superior Court also hears appeals from District Court. Misdemeanors and infractions are handled in District Court. A judge rules on these cases without a jury. Common misdemeanors in Forsyth County include simple assault, trespassing, DWI, and minor drug charges.

Each case creates records at the Forsyth County Courthouse. These records include warrants, bonds, indictments, motions, plea agreements, and sentencing orders. You can get copies of any of these from the clerk's office.

Forsyth Criminal Court Records Checks

Certified criminal background checks are available at the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court for $25. Fill out Form AOC-CR-314 and bring it to the clerk's office with your payment. The search covers all criminal records on file in the county.

You can also run a free, non-certified search at the public terminals in the Forsyth County courthouse. This gives you a quick look at criminal history but does not come with a court stamp. For statewide searches, the NC State Bureau of Investigation handles fingerprint-based background checks. Name-based searches are less accurate than fingerprint checks, so keep that in mind when you review results from Forsyth County.

Note: Each additional copy of the same background check result costs $15 when requested at the same time as the first in Forsyth County.

The NC Sex Offender Registry is another free tool for Forsyth County residents. Search by name, address, or zip code to find registered offenders in the area. Under G.S. 14-208.5, all offenders must register with the local sheriff. The registry is run by the SBI and updated when offenders move or re-register. The NC Department of Adult Correction also has an offender search for state prison records going back to 1972. This tool does not cover people held only at the Forsyth County detention center.

Public Records Law and Forsyth County Criminal Records

Criminal court records in Forsyth County are public under G.S. Chapter 132. This is the North Carolina Public Records Act. You do not have to give a reason to view records. Anyone can ask to see them.

Some records are restricted. Juvenile cases are sealed under state law. Expunged records are removed from public view. Mental health proceedings and sealed cases are also off limits. Everything else in the criminal case file at the Forsyth County Courthouse is open for review. The clerk's office processes requests under G.S. 7A-109, which gives the clerk authority over court records. Copy fees are set by G.S. 7A-308(a)(17). Plain copies cost less than certified ones. The NC Courts records page explains the full process for getting court records.

Nearby Counties

Forsyth County borders several other counties. Cases are filed where the crime occurred. Confirm which county you need before searching for criminal court records.