Forsyth County Criminal History Search
Forsyth County criminal history records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in Winston-Salem. Clerk Denise Hines oversees the office. Forsyth County is part of Judicial District 31. Winston-Salem is the county seat and the fifth largest city in North Carolina. The clerk handles all criminal case files. Records go back many years. You can search in person, by mail, or online. The office is at PO Box 20099, Winston-Salem, NC 27120. The phone number is (336) 779-6300.
Forsyth County Criminal Court Records
The Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court is the keeper of all criminal records. Every felony and misdemeanor case filed in this county is on record. The clerk stores the original files. Staff can pull them up by name or case number. You can visit the courthouse in Winston-Salem to search.
Criminal history records in Forsyth County are public under NCGS § 132-1. This is the NC Public Records Act. It gives anyone the right to view court records. You do not need to be a party to the case. Walk into the clerk office. Ask to see a criminal case file. Staff will help you find it.
The Forsyth County courthouse serves all of Winston-Salem and the surrounding towns. This includes Kernersville, Clemmons, Lewisville, and Rural Hall. All criminal cases from these areas are filed with the Forsyth County clerk.
The Forsyth County court page on the NC Judicial Branch site has details about courthouse hours and criminal history record services.
Forsyth County courts process a large number of cases each year. The clerk office can be busy. Plan to visit early in the day.
| Court |
Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court Clerk Denise Hines PO Box 20099 Winston-Salem, NC 27120 Phone: (336) 779-6300 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/forsyth-county |
Forsyth Criminal History Searches
Online searches are the fastest way to find Forsyth County criminal history records. The NC eCourts portal is free. Search by name. It returns cases from all NC counties. You can filter by Forsyth County. Basic case data shows up right away. This includes charges, dates, and status.
In-person searches give you more detail. Go to the clerk office in Winston-Salem. The staff can run a criminal history search. A background check costs $25 per name. This is a certified search. The clerk checks all Forsyth County criminal records for that name. You get a written result.
You can also get copies of documents. Uncertified copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $2 for each additional page. These fees are set by state law. The Forsyth County clerk follows the same schedule.
Note: Call (336) 779-6300 before you visit. Confirm the hours and fees. Bring a valid ID. The clerk can answer questions about your Forsyth County criminal history search.
Criminal History Record Content
A Forsyth County criminal history record has many parts. The most basic is the case summary. This shows the charges, case number, and dates. It shows the outcome too. Was the person convicted? Acquitted? Were charges dropped? All of this is in the record.
The full case file has more detail. It includes:
- Arrest warrants and indictments
- Motions filed by both sides
- Plea agreements if any
- Trial transcripts if ordered
- Sentencing orders and judgments
- Probation terms if applicable
Felony records in Forsyth County come from Superior Court. These are serious crimes. Drug charges, assaults, and property crimes are common. Misdemeanor records come from District Court. DWI, simple assault, and petty theft are typical. Both types appear on a criminal history search.
The NC Courts website has more about what court records contain. Forsyth County follows the same rules as the rest of the state.
Forsyth County Criminal History Expunction
North Carolina allows some criminal records to be expunged. Expunction removes the record from public view. The person can then say the charge never happened. Forsyth County handles expunctions through the clerk of court.
The rules are in NCGS § 15A-145 through § 15A-150. Dismissed charges and not guilty verdicts are often eligible. Some first offenses qualify after a waiting period. The type of crime matters. Violent felonies are harder to expunge. The NC Courts expunction page explains the rules.
To start the process, get the right form from nccourts.gov/documents/forms. Fill it out. File it with the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court. Pay the filing fee. A Forsyth County judge reviews the petition. If approved, the criminal history record is sealed.
Note: The NC SBI also removes expunged records from the state database. This means the record will not show up on a state-level criminal history search either. Forsyth County and state records are both updated.
State Criminal History Resources
The Forsyth County clerk only has local records. For a full state search, contact the NC SBI. Under NCGS § 114-19, the SBI keeps a central criminal database. A name-based search costs $14. Visit ncsbi.gov for the form and process.
The NC Department of Public Safety manages the state prison system. If someone was convicted in Forsyth County and sent to prison, DPS has their records. The offender search tool is free and open to the public. It shows current inmates and people on probation or parole.
Criminal statutes are posted at ncleg.gov. You can read the law that applies to any charge. This is helpful when you review a Forsyth County criminal history record and want to understand the charges.
Forsyth County Legal Assistance
Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Forsyth County. They provide free legal help to low-income residents. They can help with criminal record matters. This includes expunctions and record reviews. Call their helpline to see if you qualify.
The NC State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. Call 1-800-662-7660. They can connect you with a criminal law attorney in Forsyth County. The NC Courts website also has self-help resources. These include forms, instructions, and information about the court process in Forsyth County.
The Forsyth County courthouse has staff who can point you in the right direction. They cannot give legal advice. But they can help you find the right form or office. Visit the clerk office at the courthouse in Winston-Salem for help with criminal history records.
Nearby Counties
These counties are next to Forsyth County. Criminal history records are kept by each county's clerk of court. Search the right county for the case you need.