Forsyth County Youth Services Center
Forsyth County Youth Services Center
Physical Address
5550 Sturmer Park CircleMocksville, NC 27105
Jail Phone Number
(336) 703-2690Forsyth County Inmate Search: Locate Someone Held on North Church Street
Arrests by Winston-Salem officers, Kernersville officers, deputies and highway troopers end at the Forsyth County Detention Center, 201 North Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. The answers below point you to the right office for mugshots, defense lawyers, visiting, deposits, letters and hearing dates.
Your best first move is the Sheriff's jail list. Type a surname, then click the matching row. The jail updates it on its own schedule, so someone booked or freed within the past hour might be missing.
Want an answer right now? Dial 336-917-7600. Read the legal name and date of birth aloud. Request a yes or no on custody, plus the bond figure. Next steps are laid out on the bail guide and the court guide for this area.
Read inmate search answers
Read inmate search answers1. How can I check who is held in the Forsyth County jail?
The Sheriff's Office posts the list under the name Inmate Inquiry. Follow these steps:
- Go to the Inmate Inquiry page on any phone or computer.
- Type the surname. Include a first name if the surname is a common one.
- Still blank? Try the nickname, the middle name or the maiden name.
- Click the matching person to read their charges, bond and next hearing wherever the page gives them.
- Save any booking number shown. It helps staff locate the file when you call.
A second place to look is VINELink, the state's free custody service. It reports if a person is being held and where.
↑ Back to the question list2. Why is my Forsyth County person not on the list?
Several things could be going on:
- Intake still going. Fingerprints, pictures and forms can eat up hours.
- Already home. A magistrate could have granted an unsecured bond, or a relative paid a secured bond, perhaps through a bondsman.
- Moved. Another county's cell, a state facility or a federal hold are all possible.
- Different spelling. Try short forms, and enter a double surname both joined and apart.
- A minor. Under-18 cases are not booked into the adult jail.
Dial the jail at 336-917-7600 and ask for Records. The clerk on duty can confirm if your person is inside, already out or elsewhere.
↑ Back to the question list3. Where are people taken after an arrest near Kernersville or the city?
One building takes them all: the Detention Center at 201 North Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, 336-917-7600. The Sheriff's own pages name it the Law Enforcement Detention Center.
- The design is maximum security, with 735 cells and room for 1,016 people.
- It houses both men and women, kept in different units.
- Inmates include those waiting on court and those serving misdemeanor sentences.
- Booking, the visitor lobby and Records are all under one roof.
A person grabbed just over the line could be sitting in the next county's lockup. The arresting agency or this jail can say where they are. Federal and state officers can also take someone away, so call before you drive downtown.
↑ Back to the question list4. Can I see Forsyth County mugshots online?
Some people on the Sheriff's jail list may have a photo and some may not. Search a name and see what the row displays. We cannot promise a picture will be there.
State law is unclear about booking photos. In North Carolina, mugshots reach the public only when the Sheriff decides to post them. Anyone can ask for the arrestee's name, age, home address and charge, plus the arrest time and location. A photo request belongs with the arresting force. Sheriff's Office: 336-917-7001.
- Photos held by ICE are obtained by filing at the ICE records request page.
- Federal agents do not hand out booking photos. Only the U.S. Marshals Service may let a photo go, for instance when hunting a runaway suspect.
5. Can I be told when my person leaves or changes jails?
Yes, through VINE, a free service run for crime victims and families. The service rings, texts or emails you the moment a person is freed from a county lockup or sent on from a county lockup or state prison.
- Enroll through VINELink online.
- Or dial 877-627-2826, which picks up around the clock.
- You must sign up once for each person you want to follow.
An alert may lag a little. When a release could be minutes away, ring the jail desk at 336-917-7600 instead.
↑ Back to the question list6. How does bond work after a Forsyth County arrest?
A magistrate normally makes the first call on release. Under G.S. 15A-534, that official can choose any of these:
- An unsecured bond: no cash today, but the person owes the full sum if they skip court.
- Custody release: a trusted person or group takes responsibility for the person.
- A secured bond, which needs cash, real estate or a bail agent behind it.
- Electronic monitoring at home, which is only allowed beside a secured bond.
Judges stopped accepting a bare written promise on December 1, 2025. The most serious charges, among them murder, kidnapping and rape, wait for a judge. In a domestic violence case, the jail can keep the person up to 48 hours before a judge sets terms. Those who remain locked up get a hearing before a District Court judge by the 72-hour mark, and the judge may revise the terms.
To find out where and how to pay, ring 336-917-7600. Bondsmen may collect as much as 15 percent, and you never get the fee back. You can confirm a license on the state bondsman lookup. Read further on our Forsyth bail write-up or the statewide bail law summary.
↑ Back to the question list7. Which office knows the exact accusation?
The Sheriff's jail list may name them. Complete files belong to the Clerk of Superior Court, who stores each criminal case record for the county.
- Try the state's eCourts case search. Results show charges, hearing dates and events in the case.
- Phone the Clerk's criminal division at 336-779-6300 with the legal name and birthday.
- Prosecutors in the District Attorney's office pick what charges move ahead: 336-779-6310.
Visit the clerk at the courthouse, 175 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Cases involving teens are sealed from the public.
↑ Back to the question list8. Is free legal help offered if we are short on money?
The ask happens in the courtroom at first appearance, along with a sworn financial statement on form AOC-CR-226. The judge reviews it and decides. A court can later bill the person for part of the cost (G.S. 7A-455).
The public defender serving Forsyth is Defender District 31, 336-779-6325. Staff there can explain how appointments work. The first hearing is held at the courthouse, 175 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
You may instead pay for a private attorney. Compare prices by calling several offices. For general questions, Indigent Defense Services answers at 919-354-7200.
↑ Back to the question list9. What are the visitor hours at the Forsyth County jail?
The jail allows in-person visits. Each housing unit gets its own visiting day, so find out your person's day first. The public visiting blocks are:
- Morning: 9:00 to 11:30
- Afternoon: 1:00 to 3:00
- Evening: 5:30 to 7:30
Visitors register at least half an hour ahead of each block's close. Attorneys may visit all seven days. Phone 336-917-7600 to confirm the unit's day, the ID needed and the dress code. For general advice, open our visitation page.
↑ Back to the question list10. How can family put cash toward snacks and phone time?
An account pays for snacks, toiletries and similar items. You have two main routes.
- In person. A kiosk in the Records lobby, 201 North Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, accepts cash and credit cards. The lobby stays open daily from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
- On the web. The Sheriff's site sends families to McDaniel Supply Company at jailpackstore.com, which also sells care packages.
Keep cash out of the mail. Questions go to 336-917-7600. Learn more from the deposit guide and the commissary guide we wrote.
↑ Back to the question list11. How does the person call home?
Pay Tel Communications runs the inmate phones. You need a Prepaid or Direct Bill account with that company before calls will ring through to you. The Sheriff's phone-service page walks through setup.
Expect recording on every call. Leave discussion of the case for the attorney. Ask about texting, tablets or video at 336-917-7600. We cover the basics in a jail phone article and a piece on inmate email and texts.
↑ Back to the question list12. What is the way to send letters to someone inside?
The Sheriff issued a public mail notice with the rules. Before posting anything, phone 336-917-7600. Get the exact street line, find out if a booking number belongs on it, and learn what is allowed, like snapshots or paperbacks.
Name the person fully, as in court records, on the front. Add your return address on the flap. Do not put cash inside. Our mail guide lists typical rules.
↑ Back to the question list13. Can I pick up clothes or other belongings?
Items the person carried in are stored until the day they leave. The jail sets rules for who can collect items and when. Phone 336-917-7600 and ask for Records. Carry a photo ID. Records is in the lobby at 201 North Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
↑ Back to the question list14. Who helps if my family member is ill or injured in custody?
Ring the jail at 336-917-7600 and ask for medical staff. Staff will want the legal name, the prescription, the daily amount and the physician. The person can also put a written care request in the unit's box.
Call 911 for a life-threatening problem. Speak up about any thoughts of self-harm.
↑ Back to the question list15. Is a warrant active against someone I know?
Deputies from the Sheriff carry out warrants countywide. Ask them at 336-917-7001. Inside the city limits, Winston-Salem officers serve them, and CityLink at 336-727-8000 connects you. No public wanted list was found, so phone and ask. To view a case, open the state's eCourts search or call the Clerk of Superior Court, criminal side, on 336-779-6300. Should one exist, speak to a defense lawyer before you act, and afterward write or call the court whose judge signed it. Find the clerk at 175 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
↑ Back to the question list16. How do I find the next Forsyth County hearing?
The Clerk of Superior Court tracks every hearing. Trials and hearings take place at the county courthouse, 175 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. The clerk's office begins taking visitors at 8:30 a.m.
- Misdemeanors, traffic crimes and the earliest stages of felonies go to District Court.
- Felony trials take place in Superior Court once a grand jury indicts.
- Phone the clerk at 336-779-6300 and give the legal name and birthday.
The state also offers a court date lookup. Our court page describes each type of hearing.
↑ Back to the question list17. What happens in a federal arrest?
A federal charge arising in this county lands in the Middle District of North Carolina federal court. It meets in the Hiram H. Ward Federal Building at 251 North Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, and in Greensboro. Clerk: 336-332-6000.
- A judge decides at a detention hearing (18 U.S.C. 3142) whether the defendant is held until trial or sent home.
- The U.S. Marshals Service holds people awaiting trial, frequently inside a county jail. Their Middle District office is at 324 West Market Street, Suite 234, Greensboro, NC 27401, 336-332-8700.
- A person without money for counsel may reach the Federal Public Defender at 301 North Elm Street, Suite 410, Greensboro, NC 27401, 336-333-5455.
- When sentencing ends, type the name into the BOP inmate locator to learn the facility.
18. Can immigration agents take the person?
Often it goes this way:
- ICE faxes the jail a detainer, Form I-247A, together with an administrative warrant.
- Under 8 CFR 287.7(d), the jail may keep the person up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released.
- A newer North Carolina law (Session Law 2025-85, which began October 1, 2025) calls for a state judicial official to sign that hold order. ICE then has to arrive and take the person.
- Look up the person in the ICE Online Detainee Locator, entering a name and the birth country, or the A-number when it is known.
- Still nothing? Try the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations contact page or ask the jail, 336-917-7600.
Everyone has the right to speak with a lawyer. Find an immigration attorney quickly.
↑ Back to the question list19. How can I tell which state prison has my person?
The state's Department of Adult Correction takes in a sentenced person and chooses their prison. Some terms, such as drunk driving or a misdemeanor longer than 90 days, can be spent in the county lockup (G.S. 148-32.1).
- Use the state's online offender lookup with a surname or an ID number. It dates to 1972 and lists people in prison or under parole or probation. County lockups never show there.
- Phone the department at 919-733-2126.
- Our state prisons guide covers visits and mail.
20. Is a minor locked up with adults?
Minors are kept away from the adult jail. Juvenile court, part of District Court, hears their cases. Call the Juvenile Court at the courthouse, 175 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, 336-779-6311.
A locked-up youth gets a court hearing inside five calendar days, and it can never be skipped (G.S. 7B-1906). A young person is generally placed at the juvenile detention center nearest home. The juvenile court office can tell you which one has your child and when the next hearing falls. All juvenile files are private.
↑ Back to the question list21. Which badge made the arrest in Forsyth?
Look at the jail list, which usually shows the arresting agency. Law enforcement here includes:
- Sheriff's Office, Administration Building, 301 North Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, 336-917-7001. Deputies cover land outside city and town limits.
- Winston-Salem Police Department, City Hall, 101 North Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Phone CityLink and ask for police.
- Local town police in places like Kernersville, Clemmons, Lewisville, Rural Hall and King: ask the Sheriff's line above which agency made the arrest.
- State Highway Patrol, Troop D, District D-IV in Winston-Salem, 336-793-9550. Troop D headquarters: 2527 East Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27401, 336-334-5621.
Forsyth County bail and bond: Winston-Salem, Kernersville, and the county jail
A grown-up arrested in Forsyth County is held at the Forsyth County Detention Center, 201 North Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Read on for how a bond is decided, the ways out of jail, and the cost of skipping court.
Search the name on the Sheriff's Forsyth County Inmate Search. Want to see who else came in lately? Inmates in Custody on our site shows new bookings, charges, warrants and free-lawyer options.
First, call the jail at 336-917-7600. Find out if a bond has a dollar amount yet, then ask how payment works. Once charges are filed, our court page tells you where to go.
1. Where is the Forsyth County Detention Center?
It is at 201 N. Church Street, downtown Winston-Salem, NC 27101, (336) 917-7600. The Forsyth lockup is rated for 1,016 people.
↑ Back to the question list2. Who sets bail after an arrest in Winston-Salem?
In Winston-Salem, a Forsyth County magistrate usually does. Rural Hall officers bring arrestees to the Winston-Salem magistrate (NC law, G.S. 15A-511; NC law, G.S. 15A-532). The Winston-Salem clerk or the Forsyth judge can also act in Forsyth. Forsyth must have at least 20 magistrates (NC law, G.S. 7A-133). Meanwhile, your Winston-Salem loved one waits at the Forsyth County Detention Center.
↑ Back to the question list3. Which bond types does Forsyth County use?
The Forsyth magistrate picks one of four Winston-Salem options (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part a).
• In Forsyth, an unsecured bond costs Winston-Salem families nothing up front. If Winston-Salem court is skipped, your Winston-Salem loved one owes it.
• Post cash, land, or a Forsyth surety for a Winston-Salem secured bond.
• A Forsyth electronic monitor means house arrest. In Winston-Salem, it comes with a secured bond.
• With custody release, a Forsyth program supervises. Your Winston-Salem loved one can choose a Winston-Salem secured bond instead.
Since December 1, 2025, Forsyth can't use a written promise alone.
↑ Back to the question list4. Why did the Winston-Salem magistrate set a money bond?
For non-violent Forsyth charges, a Forsyth County magistrate starts with no-money options (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b).
If your Forsyth family member may skip Winston-Salem court, a Forsyth secured bond follows. The Winston-Salem magistrate weighs harm risks too. Winston-Salem witness risks count too in Forsyth.
Three Forsyth Class 1 convictions in 10 years? Forsyth then requires a secured bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b). A new Forsyth felony on probation means a Winston-Salem danger finding (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d2).
↑ Back to the question list5. How does a Forsyth magistrate pick a bond amount?
Forsyth has no fixed price list in Winston-Salem. For Forsyth, the senior Winston-Salem superior judge issues the policy (NC law, G.S. 15A-535). Forsyth's chief district judge weighs in for Winston-Salem. The Forsyth policy suggests Winston-Salem amounts.
Winston-Salem's magistrate weighs the charge and record (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part c). Past no-shows hurt a Forsyth defendant. A job in Tobaccoville helps.
First small Forsyth misdemeanors often get unsecured bonds in Winston-Salem. Forsyth cash bonds run hundreds to thousands in Winston-Salem. Trafficking charges in Forsyth go higher in Winston-Salem. Forsyth felony bonds often reach thousands in Winston-Salem.
↑ Back to the question list6. How can I pay a Forsyth County bond?
A Forsyth County magistrate takes Forsyth bonds. After hours, the Forsyth County Detention Center can take it (NC law, G.S. 15A-537). Phone the Forsyth jail at (336) 917-7600 first.
Forsyth takes cash, land, or a Winston-Salem surety (NC law, G.S. 15A-531). A King relative can sign unpaid with enough Forsyth property. A Forsyth surety may be a Winston-Salem bail agent.
A Forsyth bondsman may charge up to 15% (NC law, G.S. 58-71-95). Verify any Forsyth bondsman at the NC Department of Insurance bondsman lookup. Forsyth collateral returns within 15 days of Winston-Salem closure. Forsyth jailers can't be sureties, except for Winston-Salem family (NC law, G.S. 15A-541).
↑ Back to the question list7. Which serious Winston-Salem charges go straight to a judge?
In Forsyth, these need a Winston-Salem judge (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part b and c): armed robbery; forcible rape and many sex crimes; assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill causing serious injury; shooting into an occupied building or car; first-degree burglary; human trafficking; sex crimes against a child 15 or younger; first-degree arson; capital crimes; murder or attempted murder; kidnapping.
A Winston-Salem judge presumes no Winston-Salem terms work. A Winston-Salem judge can still allow release in Forsyth. Some repeat Forsyth gun cases match (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part d through g).
↑ Back to the question list8. What does Iryna's Law mean for Forsyth County?
In Winston-Salem, since December 1, 2025, violent Forsyth charges face a presumption against Winston-Salem release (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part b1). Winston-Salem families may call it Iryna's Law.
In Forsyth, Class A-G felonies with force count (NC law, G.S. 15A-531, part 9). Forsyth registration felonies count too in Winston-Salem. Some Forsyth fentanyl trafficking counts in Winston-Salem.
For a first violent Forsyth charge, a judicial official in Winston-Salem must order a secured bond or monitor. Forsyth defendants charged twice get a Winston-Salem monitor. A Winston-Salem judge writes reasons for Forsyth (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d).
↑ Back to the question list9. Can a Forsyth magistrate set bond on a domestic charge?
At first, only a Forsyth County judge sets domestic terms (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.1, part a). Forsyth threats against a Winston-Salem spouse count. Breaking a Forsyth 50B order in Winston-Salem counts.
The Forsyth County Detention Center may hold your Forsyth family member up to 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.1, part b). Then the Winston-Salem magistrate acts in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem judges often order Forsyth no-contact terms.
↑ Back to the question list10. Which Forsyth County cases have special bond rules?
Yes. These apply in Forsyth:
• DWI in Forsyth: an impaired Winston-Salem defendant may wait 24 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.2).
• Forsyth rioting: the Forsyth judge acts within 24 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.8).
• Winston-Salem mass-violence threats: a Winston-Salem judge acts within 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.7).
• Winston-Salem meth cases: Forsyth judges may presume release unsafe (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.6).
• Children harmed in Winston-Salem: a Forsyth County magistrate orders no contact (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.4).
• Threats to Forsyth officials: a Winston-Salem judge decides within 48 hours (NC law, G.S. 15A-534.9).
↑ Back to the question list11. What happens to a Forsyth County bond after a new arrest?
A new Forsyth charge goes to a Winston-Salem judge (NC law, G.S. 15A-533, part h). Simple Winston-Salem traffic charges don't count in Forsyth. Forsyth allows up to 48 hours in the Forsyth County Detention Center. Then the Winston-Salem magistrate acts for Forsyth.
The Forsyth magistrate may double the old Winston-Salem bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d3). Forsyth's minimum is $1,000 here in Winston-Salem. A Forsyth County judge can revoke the old Winston-Salem release for cause (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part f).
↑ Back to the question list12. How do I ask a Forsyth County judge to lower a bond?
Within 72 hours, the Walkertown detainee sees a Winston-Salem judge (NC law, G.S. 15A-601). Long Winston-Salem closures allow 96 hours in Forsyth. Forsyth may act sooner, at the next Winston-Salem session. Forsyth district court also sits in Kernersville.
Winston-Salem's magistrate may adjust it in Winston-Salem (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part e). A Forsyth County judge may change it at the Winston-Salem hearing.
Still denied? Write to a Forsyth superior court judge (NC law, G.S. 15A-538). Forsyth prosecutors may ask too (NC law, G.S. 15A-539).
↑ Back to the question list13. What happens if someone misses court in Forsyth County?
A willful Winston-Salem no-show is its own crime in Forsyth (NC law, G.S. 15A-543). For Forsyth felonies, it is Class I in Winston-Salem. Misdemeanor no-shows in Forsyth are Class 2 in Winston-Salem.
The Forsyth court forfeits the full Winston-Salem bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.3). Notice reaches Forsyth families within 30 days (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.4). There are 150 Forsyth days to file in Winston-Salem (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.5). Only listed Forsyth reasons work, like Winston-Salem surrender.
After 150 days, the Forsyth clerk dockets a Winston-Salem judgment (NC law, G.S. 15A-544.6). Picked up again, the Bethania detainee faces a doubled Forsyth bond (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part d1).
↑ Back to the question list14. What is a bond surrender in Forsyth County?
A Winston-Salem surety can surrender your Forsyth family member early (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part a). The Forsyth clerk then frees the Winston-Salem surety. After a missed Forsyth date, a Winston-Salem surety may bring the Forsyth defendant in (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part b). New Forsyth terms follow from the Forsyth magistrate (NC law, G.S. 15A-540, part c).
A Winston-Salem bond normally runs to Forsyth judgment (NC law, G.S. 15A-534, part h). Forsyth dismissal or probation can end it in Winston-Salem.
↑ Back to the question list15. Which court will hear a case from Kernersville?
Criminal court for Forsyth County is held at the Forsyth County Hall of Justice in Winston-Salem. District court also sits in Kernersville.
Winston-Salem misdemeanors stay in Forsyth District Court 31 (NC law, G.S. 7A-133). Forsyth prosecutors handle Winston-Salem cases (NC law, G.S. 7A-60). Forsyth felonies move to Winston-Salem superior court after indictment (NC law, G.S. 7A-41).
↑ Back to the question list16. Who defends a Forsyth County case for free?
There is one. The District 31 Public Defender covers Forsyth County: 175 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, 336-779-6325. Request one at first appearance in Winston-Salem. The Forsyth judge reviews income (Indigent Defense Services directory).
↑ Back to the question list17. How does juvenile court work in Forsyth County?
Winston-Salem juvenile court handles most Forsyth under-18 cases (NC law, G.S. 7B-1501). Forsyth added 17-year-olds in Winston-Salem in 2019. A Forsyth detention hearing comes within 5 Winston-Salem days (NC law, G.S. 7B-1906). Forsyth juveniles face no money bail in Winston-Salem. Serious Forsyth felonies can move to Winston-Salem adult court.
↑ Back to the question list18. Which federal court covers Forsyth County?
Forsyth falls under the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina (28 U.S.C. 113). Court meets in Durham, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem. The clerk: Greensboro, L. Richardson Preyer Federal Building, 324 W. Market St., 336-332-6000. Forsyth bondsmen don't work there. The Middle District also holds court in Winston-Salem.
↑ Back to the question list19. Who can confirm a Forsyth County bond amount?
Call the Forsyth County Detention Center at (336) 917-7600. The Winston-Salem clerk can also help Forsyth families on weekdays. Give the Forsyth officer your Winston-Salem loved one's birth date.
↑ Back to the question list20. Forsyth County bail contacts
- Jail: Forsyth County Detention Center, 201 North Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101; (336) 917-7600
- Courts: Forsyth County Courthouse, Winston-Salem
- Districts: District Court 31; Superior Court 31A through 31D; Prosecutorial 31
- Public defender: District 31 Public Defender; 336-779-6325
- Inmate search: Forsyth County Inmate Search
Judges and magistrates set release terms case by case. Nothing here is legal advice.
↑ Back to the question listForsyth County Youth Services Center ON-SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE
5550 Sturmer Park Circle
Mocksville, NC 27105
(336) 703-2690
- Visits are 30 minutes.
- You must be on the inmate's visitor list.
- The actual visitation times may depend on the inmate and their housing location. Call (336) 703-2690 and get your inmate's times and make an appointment to visit.
- Inmates are allowed one visit per week.
- A maximum of 2 guests are allowed per inmate.
- Visitors must have a government issued photo ID.
- Dress professionally with non-revealing clothing.
ON SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE - ALWAYS CALL (336) 703-2690 TO CONFIRM VISITATION SCHEDULE!
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM |
| MONDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM |
Winston-Salem Courts That Hear Forsyth County Criminal Cases
Criminal cases here start in District Court, while felony trials happen in Superior Court. The Forsyth County Courthouse is at 175 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Anyone not yet released waits in the Forsyth County Detention Center, 201 North Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
Confirm a booking through the Sheriff's Forsyth County Inmate Search. Our Jail Roster shows who was booked this week, what they face and any warrants.
Dial the Clerk of Superior Court at 336-779-6300 and ask for the criminal side. Say the full name and birth date. To bring someone home, see our bail page too.
1. Where will the criminal case be heard?
Criminal charges in Forsyth County are handled through the North Carolina state court system.
Courthouse locations and direct telephone numbers
- Forsyth County Courthouse, 175 N. Chestnut St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101, 336-779-6300
State court: The Forsyth County District Court handles most misdemeanors and the opening felony hearings. The Forsyth County Superior Court handles felony trials and appeals for a new trial from District Court.
A felony charge generally begins with an initial appearance and a District Court probable-cause stage before Superior Court takes over for trial.
↑ Back to the question list2. What happens after an arrest and how does release work?
After officers take someone into custody, booking records the charges and identity. A magistrate ordinarily handles the first release decision.
Release can involve a written promise to appear, an unsecured bond, a secured bond, or other conditions. A secured bond does not mean the person is already guilty. A judge may review release terms, and restrictions can include staying away from an alleged victim.
For certain arrests, extra review or holding rules apply. A person held in custody should be told the charges and brought before judicial officials under the applicable rules. Courthouse staff can give scheduling and records information, but cannot choose a plea or give legal advice.
↑ Back to the question list3. How are misdemeanor cases handled and punished?
A traffic-related criminal charge or other misdemeanor generally belongs in District Court, where the first trial is heard by a judge.
Important misdemeanor sentencing figures: North Carolina uses Classes A1, 1, 2, and 3. A1 ranges from 1–60 days at prior-conviction Level I to 1–150 days at Level III; Class 1 reaches 45, 45, or 120 days by level; Class 2 reaches 30, 45, or 60 days; Class 3 reaches 10, 15/20, or 20 days depending on the person’s prior convictions and permitted sentencing disposition.
The word “maximum” does not mean everyone goes to jail. Some combinations of class and prior record require or allow community punishment instead. Ordinary fine ceilings are $200 for Class 3 and $1,000 for Class 2, while Class A1 and Class 1 fines are generally left to the court unless a particular crime has its own rule (G.S. 15A-1340.23).
↑ Back to the question list4. How does a felony case move through the courts?
A felony normally begins in District Court but is tried in Superior Court if it goes forward.
After a first appearance, a probable-cause hearing may be scheduled; an indictment can change whether a preliminary hearing is needed. In Superior Court, the parties exchange evidence, argue motions and may negotiate a plea. Someone pleading not guilty to a felony is entitled to a jury trial. The prosecutor must prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Class A through I felonies carry different sentencing possibilities. Prior-record points, offense class, aggravating or mitigating factors and the date of the crime can substantially change the lawful range. The court uses the structured-sentencing grid in G.S. 15A-1340.17, not a single fixed statewide number for all felonies.
↑ Back to the question list5. What happens with serious violent crimes?
Accusations such as murder, serious sexual assault and armed robbery carry far more serious consequences than routine misdemeanors. A Superior Court jury may hear the evidence, with appointed or retained defense counsel. In some cases there are special rules for bonds, mandatory minimums, and life imprisonment.
First-degree murder may be punished by life without parole or death under the statutes governing capital cases; other homicides have different classifications and punishments. Sentences for rape and robbery depend on the precise offense statute and any aggravating factors. A family should never rely on a broad label like “assault” to calculate a sentence.
↑ Back to the question list6. How do juvenile cases work?
A complaint involving a young person can follow juvenile delinquency procedures rather than the ordinary adult criminal docket. Youth hearings are generally in District Court, with different goals and privacy protections. For many delinquent acts the juvenile system has jurisdiction over offenses committed before age 16, while some 16- and 17-year-olds accused of specified lower-level conduct may also be handled there under the applicable statutes.
Intake staff may recommend diversion or formal proceedings. A juvenile can be placed under supervision, ordered into services, or in appropriate cases detained or committed. Serious charges may trigger special transfer rules. Parents or guardians should ask about counsel and the youth’s next hearing.
↑ Back to the question list7. How does North Carolina decide fines and sentences?
Here is the key to reading a North Carolina sentence: the judge first looks at the offense class, then the defendant’s prior convictions or prior-record points. The law limits both the length and the type of sentence. “Community” punishment may mean probation or conditions instead of immediate jail; “intermediate” punishment can be more restrictive; “active” punishment means incarceration.
For misdemeanors, examples of the longest grid terms are Class A1 up to 150 days, Class 1 up to 120, Class 2 up to 60 and Class 3 up to 20, for the applicable highest prior-conviction level. These are not automatic sentences. Fines: ordinarily Class 3 up to $200 and Class 2 up to $1,000; the usual statutory text leaves A1 and Class 1 fine amounts to the judge unless another law controls. For felonies, the North Carolina felony grid in G.S. 15A-1340.17 specifies the allowable minimum and maximum prison term according to class and prior-record level.
Some crimes have their own minimums, enhancements, restitution obligations, court costs, sex-offender requirements, or driving restrictions. The offense date matters because the legislature has updated the sentencing charts, including changes effective for crimes committed on or after December 1, 2025.
↑ Back to the question list8. Are there city courts or other local criminal courts?
North Carolina does not operate a separate municipal criminal-court system like some states. City police departments may arrest a person and city ordinances may lead to enforcement, but ordinary state criminal prosecutions go through District Court and Superior Court. Magistrates handle functions such as issuing warrants and setting release conditions.
This is why someone arrested by a city police officer in Forsyth County generally receives a state-court case, not a separate “city criminal court” proceeding. A local police holding area is not the county courthouse.
↑ Back to the question list9. What if the charge is a federal crime?
Most crimes prosecuted by a county District Attorney remain in state court. A separate federal criminal case can arise from violating a federal statute, such as certain interstate fraud, trafficking offenses, federal firearm offenses, bank robbery involving a federally insured bank, or crimes on federal property. Not every serious state crime is automatically a federal crime.
Usual federal venue for Forsyth County: U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. Federal contact: Greensboro federal clerk, 336-332-6000. L. Richardson Preyer Federal Building and Courthouse, 324 W. Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27401
Federal magistrate judges handle initial appearances and detention hearings; federal prosecutors work for the U.S. Attorney. Federal felony cases generally involve a grand jury indictment unless properly waived. The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and federal statutes, not North Carolina’s state sentencing grid, govern federal sentences.
This is general court information, not legal advice. If the accused cannot afford an attorney, ask at the first appearance about appointed counsel.
↑ Back to the question list
Buy Commissary for an Inmate in the Forsyth County Youth Services Center
Forsyth County Youth Services Center Inmate Commissary - Sending Money or Purchasing Commissary for an Inmate
The Forsyth County Youth Services Center allows inmates to purchase commissary. This can be snacks, hygiene products, stamps, stationary, clothing and even electronics.
Call the facility at (336) 703-2690 to ask whether there is a limit on how much an inmate can spend on commissary.
Inmates have access to both an in-house commissary store, and commissary packages that can be purchased and shipped to the inmate by friends and family.
Scroll down for further information on the commissary program, how it works, what type of things inmates can buy, how often they receive commissary, and a lot more.
You can also go to our Inmate Money page for information on how to send money to an inmate.
Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Forsyth County Youth Services Center
The Easiest Way of Depositing Money for an Inmate
There are several methods for depositing money on an inmate's account. You can find out how to do this by calling the Forsyth County Youth Services Center at (336) 703-2690 and asking, or you can scroll down and review the different methods.
1. Mail an inmate a money order or cashier’s check from a trusted source such as the Post Office, a local bank, or Western Union. The money order should be be made out to either the inmate or the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, with the inmate’s name and ID# on the memo line of the check.
When mailing a money order or cashier’s check, send it an envelope by itself. Never send it with a letter or photos for your inmate, unless the facility allows it. Never send personal checks or cash.
2. Deposit cash or use a debit or credit card using a dedicated kiosk for this purpose. The machine is located in the lobby or visitation area of the Forsyth County Youth Services Center.
3. The Forsyth County Youth Services Center has a reception desk that may accept cash, money orders or cashier checks. Call (336) 703-2690 to find out the specific hours for drop off times.
4. The Forsyth County Youth Services Center may contract with a third party service which accept inmate deposits online, by mail or over the phone, or even in ATM machines you can find in check cashing stores and retail outlets across the country. Call (336) 703-2690 for the company information, along with a list of these companies, or find it by scolling down below.
Send an Inmate Mail in the Forsyth County Youth Services Center
When mailing a letter or postcard to an inmate, please address your mail as follows:
5550 Sturmer Park Circle
Mocksville, NC 27105
- All mail sent to an inmate at the Forsyth County Youth Services Center must include the sender's name and mailing address in the top left corner of the envelope or postcard.
- Failure to include your return address will most likely result in your mail NOT being delivered and your letter destroyed.
- Always use blue or black ink. Do NOT use felt markers or crayons.
- Do NOT include drawings, nor should you draw on the envelope or postcard.
- Do NOT enclose glitter, confetti or anything else in envelope.
- Do not use lipstick, perfume, colored ink or markers, or crayons.
- When greeting cards are allowed, they should be plain and not be musical.
- When books, newspapers and magazines are allowed, they must be new, and only be sent directly from the publisher.
- Packages, when allowed, must only be sent directly to an inmate from the third-party vendor outlined on our Commissary Page.
Inmates have their mail delivered Monday thru Friday. There is no limit on how much mail they can receive. Inmates are allowed to send mail to friends and family, but NOT to co-defendants, other inmates in this or other jails or prisons, and NOT from people they have a 'no contact' order in place from.
The Forsyth County Youth Services Center has a zero-tolerance policy regarding mail violations.
Follow these instructions exactly to help ensure that your inmate receives his/her mail and not have it thrown away.
Scroll down for a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers regarding how to send an inmate mail, or call the Forsyth County Youth Services Center at (336) 703-2690 with your questions.
Information for this service is currently unavailable.
Send an Email or Text to an Inmate in the Forsyth County Youth Services Center
Forsyth County Youth Services Center is offering, or will soon offer, secure electronic messaging to inmates. For additional information, please scroll below or call the jail at (336) 703-2690.
Emails sent through this system are not directly connected to the internet. Instead, all messages go through the jail's servers, giving staff the opportunity to review them before delivering them to inmates or their contacts.
Inmates can access electronic messages through kiosks in their units or on tablets provided by a third-party service that manages the program.
Advantages of inmate email access include:
- Lower cost than traditional mail.
- Faster communication turnaround.
- Real-time monitoring of inmate communications by the jail.
- Revenue generation for the facility.
- Inmates are motivated to behave well to retain this privilege.
- Reduced risk of contraband entering through physical mail.
For more Frequently Asked Questions, scroll down or contact the jail at (336) 703-2690.
Information for this service is currently unavailable.
Forsyth County County Jails
- Jail (Main): (336) 703-2690
The Forsyth County Youth Services Center serves the following cities and towns of Forsyth County: Bethania, Clemmons, Kernersville, Lewisville, Rural Hall, Tobaccoville, Walkertown, Walnut Cove and Winston-Salem. At times this facility may also house inmates arrested in the following counties: Davie County, Stokes County and Rowan County.