Forsyth County, established in 1849 and located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, covers 413 square miles. Forsyth County is home to over 384,000 people and has its county seat in Winston-Salem, which serves as the economic and cultural hub of the county. Forsyth County is known for its strong ties to the tobacco industry due to the establishment of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

Courts in Forsyth County

The Forsyth County court systems comprise a Superior Court and a District Court. The Forsyth County Superior Court is the highest trial court in the county, presiding over criminal and civil cases over $25,000. It also handles appeals from the District Courts. The Superior Court has a Business Court that handles complex corporate or commercial law cases.

The District Court in Forsyth County adjudicates some civil and criminal cases. Criminal cases heard at the District Courts include misdemeanors, municipal ordinance violations, and infractions. The District Courts handle civil cases for amounts below $25,000. The court also handles domestic relations matters and juvenile cases. Domestic relations cases include divorce, distribution of marital assets, and paternity cases, while juvenile cases include juvenile delinquency, child neglect, termination of parental rights, and foster care. The court has a Small Claims Division that handles civil dispute claims for $10,000 or less.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Forsyth County

Public Court records are documents maintained by the courts that are publicly available to anyone in Forsyth County. They are available using the public self-service terminals located at the Clerk of Court office. Record seekers may view and obtain copies of the court documents at the courthouse. The court also permits mail requests for public court records.

Types of Public Court Records in Forsyth County

Access to public court records promotes citizen’s confidence in the county’s judicial process. The following types of public court records are open for viewing and copying in Forsyth County:

• Civil Court Records: Contact breaches, personal injury claims, business litigations, property disputes, and small claims records
• Criminal Court Records: Felonies and misdemeanors
• Family Court Records: Divorce, annulments, alimony, child custody, and child support
• Probate Records: Estates, wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianship records
• Traffic Records: Driving under the influence, speeding tickets, seat belt violations, and illegal parking

Confidential Court Records in Forsyth County

Confidential court records are papers, documents, and information maintained by the Forsyth County courts that are inaccessible to the general public. Confidential records contain delicate and private information and are sealed by a court order to prevent public access. The courts seal the documents to protect the privacy and safety of the person named on the record. Confidential court records in Forsyth County include:

• Juvenile Court records
• Adoption records
• Medical and mental health commitment records
• Domestic violence protective orders
• Grand jury proceedings

Similarly, public court records may contain personal information that is confidential by law. Personal identifiers on court records are information used to identify individuals. Therefore, access to personal data is deemed confidential and redacted from public court records. Personal identifiers include:

• Social Security numbers
• Driver’s license numbers
• Financial account information
• Vehicle plate numbers
• Medical and health insurance information

Juvenile Delinquency in Forsyth, NC

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Forsyth County, juvenile delinquency crimes are on the rise. There are many reasons for the increase in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in North Carolina often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of offenses, and other family matters.

In 2017, a total of 646 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Forsyth County. Of that total, 93% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 603 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

A lot of counties, including, Forsyth County, are focusing on family health and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Forsyth County juvenile delinquency statistics will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Forsyth County, NC

https://www.nc.gov/

County Seat:	Winston-Salem
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1849
Total Square Miles:	413
2019 Population:	376,320
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00

Forsyth County, NC Courts