Winston-Salem DWI Records
Winston-Salem DUI records are filed through the Forsyth County court system and the Winston-Salem Police Department. Winston-Salem is the fifth largest city in North Carolina and the county seat of Forsyth County. All DWI court cases from Winston-Salem go through the Forsyth County Courthouse. The Winston-Salem Police Department maintains arrest records and provides access through its P2C portal. This page covers how to search for DUI records in Winston-Salem, where to get copies, and what resources are available to the public.
Winston-Salem DUI Quick Facts
Winston-Salem Police DUI Records
The Winston-Salem Police Department is located at 725 N. Cherry Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. The Records Division handles DUI arrest records and police reports. You can reach the Records Division at 336-779-6300 for arrest records and report requests. The non-emergency number is 336-773-7700.
When a WSPD officer makes a DUI arrest in Winston-Salem, the arrest record and incident report are filed with the Records Division. There is a fee for arrest records requested from the department. The department provides online forms for requesting arrest records. Accident reports tied to DUI incidents can also be requested through the Records Division.
The WSPD operates a Police to Citizen portal that provides public access to recent arrest data, incident reports, and other law enforcement information. This tool is available around the clock and does not require an account. You can search for DUI arrests in Winston-Salem by date, type, or name.
Arrest records from WSPD are not certified. For certified criminal records suitable for official purposes, requests should be directed to the Clerk of Court at the Forsyth County Courthouse.
Note: The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County City-County Bureau of Identification at co.forsyth.nc.us/cobid also provides arrest records and fingerprinting services for the area.
Forsyth County DUI Court Records
DUI cases from Winston-Salem are handled at the Forsyth County Courthouse at 200 N. Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all criminal and civil court records, including DWI cases. You can obtain criminal background checks at the clerk's office.
Court records searches can be done on the public access terminals at the courthouse for free. You can look up cases by defendant name or case number. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday during business hours. The Forsyth County District Attorney's Office prosecutes criminal cases including DUI charges throughout the county.
The City-County Bureau of Identification provides arrest records for both Winston-Salem and all of Forsyth County. Fingerprinting services are available for background checks. Arrest records can be requested in person or by mail. Fees apply for certified copies of arrest records from this office.
DWI Laws in Winston-Salem
DWI law in Winston-Salem follows the same state statutes as the rest of North Carolina. Under G.S. 20-138.1, driving while impaired is a crime. The legal limit is 0.08 blood alcohol for drivers 21 and older. Commercial drivers face a limit of 0.04. Any amount of a Schedule I substance in the blood can also support a DWI charge.
After a DUI arrest in Winston-Salem, the driver faces a 30-day pretrial civil revocation under G.S. 20-16.5. This revocation takes effect at the time of the arrest and is separate from the criminal case. A limited driving privilege may be available after a waiting period. Refusing to take a breath or blood test triggers a separate revocation under G.S. 20-16.2 that lasts at least 30 days.
DWI sentencing in Winston-Salem follows the levels in G.S. 20-179. Level Five is the lowest and may result in a fine of up to $200 and possible community service. Aggravated Level One is the highest and can bring up to three years in prison. Prior DWI convictions, high blood alcohol, and causing injury all push cases to higher levels. Habitual DWI under G.S. 20-138.5 applies to drivers with three or more prior DWI convictions in ten years and is a Class F felony.
Getting Winston-Salem DUI Copies
Visit the Forsyth County Courthouse at 200 N. Main Street to get copies of DUI records. Bring a valid ID. Criminal record checks cost $25 per name at the clerk's office. Court document copies are available for a per-page fee. Call the clerk's office ahead of time to confirm current fees.
For police arrest reports, contact the WSPD Records Division at 336-779-6300. The City-County Bureau of Identification also provides arrest record copies. The NC Court Records Portal lets you look up basic case data online. For statewide background checks, the NC SBI handles name-based and fingerprint-based searches.
License restoration after a DUI conviction in Winston-Salem follows G.S. 20-19. You may need to complete a substance abuse assessment, pay a restoration fee, and serve the full revocation period. The length of the revocation depends on the offense level and any prior DWI convictions.
Note: The expunction process may allow removal of some DWI charges from a record, but eligibility is limited under North Carolina law.
Winston-Salem DUI Resources
The NC Court Dates Search lets you look up upcoming DUI court dates in Forsyth County. The Court Records Help page explains what types of records are available and how to request them. The eCourts system is expanding across North Carolina and provides electronic access to case data, filings, and court calendars.
Winston-Salem residents can also use the NC General Statutes at ncleg.gov to review the full text of DWI laws. This includes the definition of impaired driving, sentencing levels, license revocation rules, and the habitual DWI statute. Understanding these laws helps when reviewing DUI records from Winston-Salem or any other city in North Carolina.
Forsyth County DUI Records
Winston-Salem is the county seat of Forsyth County. All DUI court cases from the city go through the Forsyth County court system. The county also covers Clemmons, Kernersville, Lewisville, and other towns. For the full county guide on DUI record access and contact information, visit the Forsyth County DUI records page.