Access Winston-Salem Felony Records
Winston-Salem felony records are stored at the Forsyth County Courthouse. This is the largest city in Forsyth County and the county seat. All felony cases go through Forsyth County Superior Court. The clerk of court keeps case files and makes them available to the public. You can search these records through the NC eCourts portal or by visiting the courthouse. Most records are open under North Carolina public records law.
Winston-Salem Felony Court Location
The Forsyth County Courthouse is where all Winston-Salem felony cases are heard. Superior Court sits here. The building is on North Main Street in downtown Winston-Salem. The clerk of court office handles record requests and copy services for the public.
| Court | Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 N. Main Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 |
| Phone | (336) 779-6300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The courthouse serves all of Forsyth County. Winston-Salem makes up the bulk of the caseload. Parking garages and metered spots are close by in the downtown area. The WSTA bus system has routes that stop near the courthouse. Bring a photo ID for security. All visitors go through a security check at the entrance. Leave weapons and large bags at home.
Forsyth County uses Form AOC-CR-314 for certified criminal background checks. You submit the form at the clerk window. The cost is $25. Results come from the NC SBI and cover the whole state, not just Winston-Salem cases. For free lookups, use the public access terminals in the clerk office or the eCourts portal online.
Note: The Forsyth County Courthouse gets busy on court days, so plan extra time if you need to speak with the clerk about felony records.
Search Felony Records Online
Online searches are the quickest way to find Winston-Salem felony records. The NC eCourts portal covers all Forsyth County cases. Type in a name or case number and get results fast. You will see charges, court dates, and case outcomes. The service is free.
The NC Courts records page has more details on what records are open and how to get them. Adult felony records in Winston-Salem are public. Sealed and expunged cases will not appear. Juvenile records are always closed. For copies of documents, contact the clerk of court at (336) 779-6300 or visit in person.
Here is a screenshot from the NC State Bureau of Investigation website, which provides background check services for Winston-Salem and all of North Carolina.
The SBI site explains how statewide checks work. A $25 name check pulls records from every county in the state. Fingerprint checks are more thorough and also available through the SBI for Winston-Salem residents.
Winston-Salem Police Records
The Winston-Salem Police Department handles law enforcement for the city. WSPD arrests lead to felony cases at the Forsyth County Courthouse. Police records and court records are kept in different systems. You may need to check both for a complete look at a felony case.
WSPD headquarters is at 725 N. Cherry Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. The non-emergency line is 336-773-7700. The Records Division handles public requests for police reports. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Reports can be requested in person or by mail.
The City Clerk's Office at 101 N. Main Street can also help with some public records requests. Their phone number is listed on the city website. For felony-related police reports, the Records Division at WSPD is your best starting point. Arrest reports from WSPD become part of the court file once the case reaches Forsyth County Superior Court.
Felony Checks in Winston-Salem
A criminal background check for Winston-Salem felony records starts at the Forsyth County Courthouse. Fill out Form AOC-CR-314 and pay the $25 fee. The clerk submits it to the NC SBI for processing. Results come by mail. The check covers all 100 counties in North Carolina.
Free options exist too. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you search local case data. The NC eCourts portal does the same from home. Neither provides a certified document, but they work well for quick lookups. The NC Courts background check page explains each method and what you will get back.
Winston-Salem Felony Expungement
Certain felony records in Winston-Salem can be expunged. You file a petition at the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court. The NC Courts forms page has the petition forms you need. A judge reviews the case and decides whether to grant it.
Dismissed charges and not guilty verdicts qualify in most cases. Some convictions can be expunged after a set number of years. The NC SBI expungement page outlines the rules. Violent crimes and sex offenses face tight restrictions. Once a record is expunged in Winston-Salem, it will not show up in the eCourts portal or at the courthouse terminals. There is no fee to file the petition under North Carolina General Statutes.
Note: Expungement does not happen overnight; the process can take several months after you file the petition in Forsyth County.
Winston-Salem Felony Case Steps
A felony case in Winston-Salem follows a clear path through the Forsyth County court system. It starts with an arrest by WSPD or another agency. The suspect has a first appearance before a magistrate. A grand jury then reviews the evidence. If they return an indictment, the case moves to Superior Court.
Each step creates records that go into the case file. The indictment, motions, hearing notes, and final judgment are all public under North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 132. You can view these at the Forsyth County Courthouse or search them online. Winston-Salem felony records stay on file unless a judge orders them sealed or expunged. Active and closed cases both appear in the system.
- Arrest or warrant by law enforcement
- First appearance before a magistrate
- Grand jury review and indictment
- Arraignment in Superior Court
- Pre-trial motions and hearings
- Trial or plea agreement
- Sentencing if found guilty
Felony Case Tracking in Winston-Salem
Crime victims in Winston-Salem can sign up for alerts through VINE. The system notifies you when an offender's custody status changes. It is free to use. You get updates by phone, email, or text. VINE covers all jails and prisons in North Carolina.
The NC Sex Offender Registry lets you search for offenders by name, address, or zip code. Winston-Salem residents use it to check who lives nearby. The data comes from the NC SBI. Both VINE and the registry are open to the public at all times with no account needed.
Forsyth County Felony Records
Winston-Salem is the county seat of Forsyth County. All felony cases from the city go through the Forsyth County court system. The county page has more on the courthouse, record request procedures, forms, and fees for Winston-Salem and surrounding towns.