Forsyth County DUI Records

Forsyth County DUI records are maintained at the new courthouse in Winston-Salem. Clerk of Superior Court Denise Hines oversees all court records for the 31st Judicial District. Forsyth County is one of the larger counties in North Carolina, and its courts handle a high volume of DWI cases each year. You can search for DUI records online through the state eCourts portal or visit the courthouse in person. The clerk's office provides certified copies, background checks, and access to public case files. This page explains how to find and access DUI records in Forsyth County.

Forsyth County Courthouse and Clerk

The Forsyth County Courthouse opened in 2023. It is the fifth courthouse in the county's history, replacing buildings from 1849, 1897, 1926, and 1974. The new building is at 175 N. Chestnut Street in Winston-Salem. All DUI and DWI records are kept here. The main phone number is (336) 779-6300.

Clerk Denise Hines runs the office. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. All visitors must pass through security at the main entrance. The building has elevator access to all floors. Parking is available at the courthouse, with more public parking nearby in downtown Winston-Salem. The mailing address is PO Box 20099, Winston-Salem, NC 27120.

Forsyth County operates several specialty courts, including Mental Health Court, Adult Treatment Court, and Veterans Treatment Court. These programs may affect how certain DUI cases are handled. The county also offers a District Criminal Court Mediation Program. Visit the Forsyth County court page for a full list of programs and services.

How to Search Forsyth County DUI Records

The NC eCourts portal is the fastest way to search for DUI records in Forsyth County. You can search by name, case number, or date filed. The portal shows court dates, charges, case status, and hearing information. It is free for basic case lookups. Forsyth County now participates in the statewide eCourts system, so records are available online.

For in-person searches, visit the new courthouse at 175 N. Chestnut Street. Public access terminals are available for self-service DUI record searches. Staff can help you find cases and make copies. The Forsyth County Clerk website has links to online services, payment processing, and eFiling options.

To search for a DUI record in Forsyth County, you need:

• Full name of the person charged
• Date of birth or case number
• The year the DWI charge was filed

Criminal court records in Forsyth County show the defendant's name, charges, arrest dates, hearing timeline, attorney info, and the judge assigned to the case. The Forsyth County court records page provides more detail about what is included in DUI case files.

Note: The eCourts portal is not a substitute for a certified background check at the clerk's office.

Forsyth County DWI Background Checks

Certified background checks are available at the Forsyth County Clerk's office. These checks search the local database for all criminal charges, including DUI and DWI cases. You must provide the person's full name and date of birth. The fee is set by statute under N.C.G.S. 7A-308.

The name inquiry check only covers Forsyth County. It will not show DUI charges from other parts of the state. For a statewide search, use the NC SBI background check service, which uses fingerprints. The NC Courts background check guide explains the differences between local and statewide searches.

Copy fees in Forsyth County are $0.25 per page for uncertified copies. Certified copies are $5 for the first page and $2 for each page after that.

DUI Laws Affecting Forsyth County Cases

Every DUI case in Forsyth County starts with a charge under G.S. 20-138.1. This is North Carolina's DWI statute. A BAC of 0.08 or higher is illegal. The District Attorney in District 31 handles all DWI prosecutions in Forsyth County. Most DUI cases are heard in District Court. The District Court Case Management Plan governs how misdemeanor DWI cases move through the system.

Sentencing follows G.S. 20-179. Judges use a six-level scale. Level 5 has the lightest penalties. Aggravated Level 1 is the most severe, with mandatory jail time. A prior DWI conviction is a grossly aggravating factor. Under G.S. 20-16.2, drivers on Forsyth County roads consent to a breath or blood test when stopped for suspected DWI. Refusing the test leads to a one-year civil license revocation under G.S. 20-16.5.

Drivers with three or more DWI convictions in ten years face a habitual impaired driving charge under G.S. 20-138.5. This is a Class F felony heard in Forsyth County Superior Court. The Criminal Superior Court Case Docketing Plan outlines how these serious cases are scheduled. After a DWI conviction, some drivers in Forsyth County can apply for a limited driving privilege under G.S. 20-19.

Note: Forsyth County has specific local rules for continuance requests in DUI trials, so check with the clerk before your court date.

Get Forsyth County DUI Record Copies

You can get copies of DUI records at the Forsyth County Courthouse. Go to 175 N. Chestnut Street in Winston-Salem. The clerk's office can pull up any DUI case by name or case number. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies start at $5 for the first page.

You can also mail a request to PO Box 20099, Winston-Salem, NC 27120. Include the person's name, date of birth, case number if you have it, and a check or money order for the fees. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (336) 779-6300 to confirm current fees before sending your request. You can file a public records request through the NC Courts records page.

Forsyth County DWI Expunctions

Some DUI charges in Forsyth County may qualify for expunction. Dismissed cases and acquittals are the most common. You must file a petition with the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court. The NC Courts expunction page has forms and guidelines.

The Federal Building at 251 N. Main Street in Winston-Salem houses the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. Federal DUI cases, which are rare, would be handled there rather than at the Forsyth County Courthouse. Call 336-332-6000 for federal court inquiries. For state DUI cases, check your court dates through the NC Courts site.

The statewide eCourts portal covers DUI records from Forsyth County and all other North Carolina counties.

The expunction guide helps Forsyth County residents understand which DUI charges may be eligible for removal from public records.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Forsyth County. DUI cases are filed where the arrest took place. If you are unsure which county has the record, check the address on the citation.