North Carolina Courthouse Security Line Wait Times & Hours (2026)

Short answer: Arrive at least 20 to 35 minutes before your scheduled courtroom call. Monday and Tuesday mornings have the longest magnetometer lines due to new jury panels checking in simultaneously. Updated 2026-11-04

Morning security checkpoint wait times in North Carolina range from 10 to 18 minutes during peak 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM docket call. The longest typical queue is at Wake County Courthouse (Raleigh) (~18 mins). North Carolina County Courthouses vary by Senior Resident Superior Court Judge order: Wake (Raleigh) and Mecklenburg (Charlotte) allow silenced phones, while several counties ban phones inside traffic/criminal courtrooms or at the door.

County CourthouseCitySecurity line wait timesPhone LockersJuror Parking
Wake County
Wake County Courthouse (Raleigh)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (18 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
 Raleigh ~18 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) No lockers Free Validated
Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County Courthouse (Charlotte)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (18 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
 Charlotte ~18 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) No lockers Free Validated
Guilford County
Guilford County Courthouse (Greensboro)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
 Greensboro ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) No lockers Free Validated
Forsyth County
Forsyth County Courthouse (Winston-Salem)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
 Winston-Salem ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) No lockers Free Validated
Durham County
Durham County Courthouse (Durham)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
 Durham ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) No lockers Free Validated
Cumberland County
Cumberland County Courthouse (Fayetteville)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
 Fayetteville ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) No lockers Free Validated
Buncombe County
Buncombe County Courthouse (Asheville)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
 Asheville ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) No lockers Free Validated
New Hanover County
New Hanover County Courthouse (Wilmington)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
 Wilmington ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) No lockers Free Validated
Gaston County
Gaston County Courthouse (Gastonia)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
 Gastonia ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) No lockers Free Validated
Cabarrus County
Cabarrus County Courthouse (Concord)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
 Concord ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) No lockers Free Validated
Union County
Union County Courthouse (Monroe)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
 Monroe ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) No lockers Free Validated
Johnston County
Johnston County Courthouse (Smithfield)
“Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).”
 Smithfield ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) No lockers Free Validated
Going to Court Without a Lawyer?

Skip the Security Line & Protect Your Record in NC

If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in NC, a licensed local attorney can often appear in court on your behalf—saving you from missing work, risking a bench warrant, or taking points on your license.

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I arrive for an 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM court date in North Carolina?

Arrive at least 20 to 35 minutes before your scheduled courtroom call. Monday and Tuesday mornings have the longest magnetometer lines due to new jury panels checking in simultaneously.

How is this courthouse policy data verified?

We verify every county against official Court Administrative Orders (.gov), Jury Commissioner instructions, and Sheriff Court Security directives. Last verified 2026-11-04.

More Courthouse Rules in North Carolina

Security line wait times in Other States