Municipal Court

CITY OF WINSTON MUNICIPAL COURT

THE HONORABLE ANDREW D. JOHNSON, PRESIDING

Court Hours:
Tuesday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Misdemeanors & City Ordnance Violation 9:00 AM
Traffic Violations: 2:00 PM

The court clerk is available during court hours (listed above) to help you with:

• Your citation and options, prior to your already scheduled court date.
• Municipal Court appearance date and time.
• Fix it ticket questions.
• Payments by phone of $25 or greater.

The court clerk can be reached using the contact information at the top-right of this page.

If you have a trial, please contact your ATTORNEY for trial information.

• Check in with the officer located at the front of the courthouse.
• Remove sunglasses & hats.
• When your name is called stand and address the Judge.
• The Judge will explain your charges to you and ask for your plea.
• A continuance may be granted if you need time to discuss the matter with an attorney.
  • ADVICE WILL NOT BE GIVEN TO YOU BY ANYONE IN THE COURT ROOM.
• You may plead Guilty; and give an explanation to the Judge for consideration on sentencing.
• You may plead Not Guilty; and contest the charges. The case will then be set for trial.

Convictions on Violations do not include jail time. For this reason, trials are tried in front of the Judge only. The city will not provide an attorney to you. 

You may hire an attorney at your own expense; and must inform the city 15 days or more prior to your trial. 

During Trial

• You will present your case.
• The police officer will present the City’s case.
• The Judge will rule on the evidence presented to him. 

If you need to request to reschedule your court date:

• If you are scheduled for a court appearance, hearing, pretrial or trial a request to reset must be received the FRIDAY before court.  Continuance request must be approved by the judge, and a formal motion must be filed and approved prior to the scheduled court date. Any requests received to reschedule via phone or e-mail after 5:00 pm on Friday will be denied.

In case of inclement Weather:

• If you believe court may be canceled due to weather, you are still required to call and leave a voicemail with your name, phone # and date of birth to check in for court.  A new court date will be provided for you via phone. Failure to leave a voicemail will result in a failure to appear warrant being issued. A notice will also be posted on the door of city hall.