Winston-Salem Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
Arrest records are public documents in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, pursuant to the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. § 132-1). This statute establishes that records created or received by public agencies in North Carolina, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies in Winston-Salem, are considered public property. The law ensures transparency in governmental operations by allowing citizens to access information about arrests made within the jurisdiction. Public access to these records serves multiple purposes, including maintaining accountability of law enforcement agencies and informing community members about criminal activity in their area.
The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and Winston-Salem Police Department maintain these records as part of their official duties. While most information in arrest records is publicly accessible, certain details may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with state exemptions under N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4.
How to Look Up Winston-Salem Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for members of the public to access arrest records in Winston-Salem. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access to these documents while maintaining proper administrative protocols:
Online Database Access: The Winston-Salem Police Department maintains a public-facing online portal where arrest records can be searched. This system, known as Police to Citizen (P2C), allows users to search by name, date range, or case number.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Division of the Winston-Salem Police Department located at 725 N. Cherry Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. The public counter is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Proper identification must be presented when requesting records in person.
Written Requests: Formal written requests may be submitted to the Records Division by mail. Requests should include the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and contact information for the requestor.
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office: Additional arrest records may be obtained through the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office located at 301 N. Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Their Records Division operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2, reasonable fees may be charged for duplication of records. The standard fee for copies is $0.25 per page for standard documents.
Contents of a Winston-Salem Arrest Record
Winston-Salem arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by North Carolina Administrative Code Title 12, Chapter 4J. These official documents typically include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Detailed enumeration of charges filed, including statute numbers and offense classifications
- Identity of the arresting agency and officer
- Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
- Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and identifying marks
- Case or incident number assigned by the law enforcement agency
- Custody status information, including bond amount if applicable
- Court appearance dates when scheduled
The comprehensiveness of these records facilitates proper identification and case tracking throughout the criminal justice process. Certain sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, may be redacted from public versions of these records in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 132-1.10.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Winston-Salem
The expungement process in Winston-Salem operates under the authority of North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 15A, Article 5. Expungement (also referred to as expunction) provides a legal mechanism for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Winston-Salem include:
- Cases resulting in dismissal of charges
- Verdicts of not guilty or findings of not responsible
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges within the statutory timeframe
- Certain first-time nonviolent offenses after prescribed waiting periods
- Juvenile records meeting specific statutory requirements
The formal process requires petitioners to:
- File a petition for expungement with the Clerk of Superior Court in Forsyth County at 200 N. Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
- Submit the required filing fee (currently $175 for most petitions)
- Provide certified copies of court dispositions related to the case
- Complete fingerprinting at an authorized facility
- Await review by the District Attorney's Office, State Bureau of Investigation, and presiding judge
Upon approval, the court issues an order directing all agencies to expunge records related to the arrest. This includes physical and electronic records maintained by the Winston-Salem Police Department, Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and Administrative Office of the Courts.
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-146, expunged records are removed from public access but may be maintained in a confidential file accessible only to law enforcement agencies under limited circumstances specified by statute.
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