The courthouse moved, and old paperwork may not show it
The North Carolina Judicial Branch announced that court offices would begin moving to the new Forsyth County Courthouse on October 9, 2023, and that the building would open to the public on October 23, 2023. The older Hall of Justice at 200 North Main Street, a 48-year-old building with 16 courtrooms, closed to the public. The new courthouse has 17 courtrooms.
The current address is 175 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. The main number is (336) 779-6300. The court system lists building hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the clerk’s office opening at 8:30 a.m. It lists a free parking lot, a paid lot, paid street parking, and paid garage parking nearby.
Which court district you are in
Forsyth County is its own district court district, District 31, under G.S. 7A-133. For superior court it is split into Districts 31A and 31B under G.S. 7A-41. It is also its own prosecutorial district, District 31, under G.S. 7A-60, so the District Attorney who decides whether to reduce or dismiss your charge works for Forsyth County alone. The court system lists the District Attorney’s office at (336) 779-6310.
Misdemeanors and DWIs usually start in district court. Felonies start there too, then move to superior court if the case is indicted. Knowing which court your case is in tells you which calendar to watch and which deadlines apply.
If you or someone you love is held after an arrest
A person held in jail has a right to see a district court judge quickly. Unless the person is released on bond first, a first appearance before a district court judge must be held within 72 hours after the person is taken into custody, or at the first regular session of district court in the county, whichever comes first. G.S. 15A-601(c).
Domestic charges follow a different rule. When the charge is an assault, stalking, communicating a threat, or certain felonies against a spouse, former spouse, dating partner, or someone the person lives or lived with as if married, release conditions must be set by a judge rather than a magistrate. If no judge acts within 48 hours of arrest, the magistrate sets them. G.S. 15A-534.1(a).
If you were convicted in district court
A district court conviction is not always the end. You may appeal to superior court for a new trial before a jury. Notice of appeal may be given orally in open court or in writing to the clerk within 10 days of entry of judgment. G.S. 15A-1431(b), (c). Ten days goes quickly, so call before the deadline, not after.
How we help
We represent clients charged in Forsyth County. Our office is at 826 N. Elm Street in Greensboro. We start by reading the warrant or citation and the release order, checking the court date and courtroom, and telling you plainly what the State has to prove. Then we go after the facts: the stop, the search, the test, the witnesses.
A word from Attorney Huggins
Our office is in Greensboro, and we handle cases in the Forsyth County courthouse. I read every report against the video, the same way in every county.
Charges we handle include DWI, drug charges, assault, domestic violence, probation violations, weapons charges, and expunctions.
Family law, DSS, estate planning, and civil cases in Forsyth County
Criminal defense and DWI are the heart of our practice. We also represent people in Forsyth County in four other kinds of cases.
Family law. Custody, child support, separation and divorce, and domestic violence protective orders are heard in Forsyth County District Court. These cases decide where your children sleep and what your future looks like, and we prepare them the way we prepare a trial. More on our family law practice.
DSS cases. When the Department of Social Services files an abuse, neglect, or dependency petition, the case is heard in juvenile court. The first hearings come quickly, and they shape everything after. What parents should know about a DSS case.
Estate planning. Wills, powers of attorney, and trusts, so the people you love are not left to sort it out alone. When a loved one has passed, we guide families through estate administration with the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court.
Civil litigation. Contract disputes, business lawsuits, and other civil claims in Forsyth County District and Superior Court. More on our civil practice.
Wherever the courtroom is, we investigate before we advise.
Questions people ask us
My paperwork says Hall of Justice. Where do I go?
Forsyth County courts moved to 175 N. Chestnut Street in October 2023, and the Hall of Justice at 200 N. Main Street closed to the public. If your paperwork is older or unclear, call the courthouse at (336) 779-6300 or call us to confirm your date and courtroom before you go.
Can a Greensboro law firm handle a Forsyth County case?
Yes. A North Carolina lawyer may appear in any North Carolina county. We represent clients charged in Forsyth County from our office in Greensboro.
How long do I have to appeal a district court conviction?
Notice of appeal to superior court must be given within 10 days of entry of judgment, orally in open court or in writing to the clerk. G.S. 15A-1431(c).