Forsyth County Criminal Records in Winston-Salem

Forsyth County criminal records are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The county is part of the 31st Judicial District and operates from a new courthouse that opened at 175 N. Chestnut Street in 2023. Criminal case filings, arrest records, and mugshots are available through county offices. Forsyth County processes a high volume of criminal cases given its large population and the size of Winston-Salem. This page covers how to search for and obtain criminal records in Forsyth County.

Forsyth County Court Criminal Records

The Clerk of Superior Court in Forsyth County handles all criminal case records. Denise Hines leads this office. The mailing address is PO Box 20099, Winston-Salem, NC 27120. Call (336) 779-6300 for records inquiries. The new courthouse at 175 N. Chestnut Street opened in 2023 and serves the 31st Judicial District.

Criminal records in Forsyth County are public under N.C.G.S. 132-1. You can visit the courthouse and ask to view any criminal case file. The clerk searches by name or case number. No appointment is needed. Uncertified copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.

The Forsyth County court records page provides access to criminal case information.

Visit forsythcountycourt.org/court-records to search Forsyth County criminal records and court case filings.

Forsyth County is one of the more populous counties in North Carolina. Winston-Salem is the county seat and the fifth-largest city in the state. The volume of criminal cases is substantial. The clerk's office processes a large number of record requests. Staff can help you locate what you need.

How to Search Forsyth County Criminal Records

There are several ways to search criminal records in Forsyth County. Online tools give quick access to basic case data. In-person visits let you review full files. The courthouse also provides information about court schedules and upcoming cases.

The Forsyth County courthouse website shows court details, services, and general information about the 31st Judicial District.

Go to forsythcountycourt.org for details on the Forsyth County courthouse and its services.

To visit in person, go to 175 N. Chestnut Street in Winston-Salem. The new building is well equipped for public access. Bring your ID. The clerk can search criminal records by defendant name or case number. Recent Forsyth County criminal records are available quickly. Older records may need more time.

Some records may be restricted under N.C.G.S. 132-1.4. This includes law enforcement records tied to active investigations. Sealed and expunged records will not appear in Forsyth County criminal records searches.

Note: Mugshots from Forsyth County arrests are maintained by the Sheriff's Office, not the Clerk of Court.

Forsyth County Sheriff Criminal Records

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and mugshots. The office is at 120 W. 3rd Street in Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Call (336) 917-7001 for records requests. Booking records include the person's name, charges, arrest date, mugshot, and bond information.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office website provides access to arrest and booking information.

Check forsyth.cc/sheriff for arrest data and services from the Forsyth County Sheriff.

Arrest records are public in Forsyth County under N.C.G.S. 132-1. The sheriff may restrict records tied to open investigations. Once a case is closed, the full record is usually available. Mugshots are part of the arrest record and are maintained by the sheriff's office. The clerk's office does not keep mugshots.

Statewide Criminal History for Forsyth County

A Forsyth County search only covers local cases. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation runs statewide criminal history checks. These are fingerprint-based and include records from all 100 counties. If a person has criminal records in Forsyth County and other areas, the SBI check will show both.

Local Forsyth County criminal records provide detailed case information. The SBI check gives a statewide summary. You may want both. The clerk handles local records. The SBI handles the broader search.

Under N.C.G.S. 15A-145.5, some criminal records in Forsyth County may be eligible for expunction. Expunged records are removed from public view. They will not appear in any standard search. The Forsyth County clerk can confirm whether a specific record has been expunged.

Note: The NC Sex Offender Registry at sexoffender.ncsbi.gov is available for searches covering all of North Carolina, including Forsyth County.

Forsyth County Criminal Records and Public Law

North Carolina's Public Records Act governs access to criminal records in Forsyth County. The statute is N.C.G.S. 132-1. It says government records belong to the people. Court filings, arrest records, and criminal history data from Forsyth County offices are covered.

Exceptions apply. Juvenile records are sealed. Active investigation records may be restricted. Expunged records are removed from public access. But adult criminal cases with final dispositions are open in Forsyth County. The NC Courts website provides guidance on court records access statewide.

The NC eCourts portal is expanding electronic access across the state. Forsyth County criminal records may be available through this system as the rollout continues.

What Forsyth County Criminal Records Include

Criminal records filed in Forsyth County contain detailed information about each case. The record starts with the charges and arrest details and grows as the case moves through the court system. Every hearing, motion, plea negotiation, and court order is documented. The final disposition records the outcome of the case, including any sentencing terms for convictions.

Sentencing records in Forsyth County criminal cases show the penalties imposed by the court. These may include active jail or prison time, supervised or unsupervised probation, monetary fines, court costs, community service, and restitution payments. Criminal records remain on file at the Winston-Salem courthouse permanently unless a court grants an expunction petition.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Forsyth County. Criminal records may be filed in a neighboring county if the offense happened outside Forsyth County limits.