Charleston Criminal Court Records
Charleston criminal court records cover felony and misdemeanor cases filed within the city and across Charleston County. As South Carolina's largest city, Charleston generates a substantial volume of criminal filings each year. Felony cases go through the Charleston County Circuit Court, while misdemeanor and traffic matters are handled by the Charleston Municipal Court. Both systems offer public access to case information through the SC Judicial Branch and local court offices. Searching these records gives you access to charges, court dates, dispositions, and more.
Charleston Quick Facts
Criminal Court Records for Charleston Residents
Felony criminal court records for Charleston originate in the Charleston County Circuit Court. The Charleston County Clerk of Court maintains these records and serves as the official custodian for all felony filings within the county. That includes cases prosecuted by the 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office, which handles all serious criminal matters arising from the city. The Clerk's office provides certified copies of court documents and manages the official case files for every felony processed through the circuit.
The 9th Circuit Solicitor at scsolicitor9.org prosecutes felony offenses committed within Charleston. This office reviews charges brought by law enforcement and decides how cases move forward in court. Pre-trial intervention programs may be available to first-time offenders who meet specific criteria set by the Solicitor. Victim services are also offered through the Solicitor's office for those affected by crimes in the city.
For people held after arrest, the Charleston County Sheriff's Office operates the Al Cannon Detention Center. Arrestees from Charleston may be housed there pending bond hearings or trial. The Sheriff's Office at charlestoncounty.org/sheriff provides an online inmate search tool that allows the public to locate individuals currently in custody.
The Clerk of Court office is the first stop for anyone who needs official copies of criminal case files. Staff can assist with locating records by case number or defendant name. Certified copies carry the court's official seal and are accepted in legal proceedings throughout South Carolina.
The Charleston County Clerk of Court maintains official criminal case files for all felony matters in the circuit.
The Clerk's office handles certified copies, case look-ups, and record requests for circuit court criminal filings in Charleston County.
How to Search Charleston Criminal Court Records
The primary online tool for searching Charleston criminal court records is the SC Public Index. You can access it at publicindex.sccourts.org/Charleston. The system lets you look up circuit court cases by defendant name or case number at no cost. Results show party names, filing dates, charges, hearing schedules, and case status. This covers felony criminal court records filed in Charleston County, including cases originating from the city of Charleston.
The Charleston Municipal Court has its own online case search at charleston-sc.gov. This tool covers citations, traffic matters, and misdemeanor cases handled by the Municipal Court. You can search using citation number, case number, defendant name, or driver's license number. The system updates in real time and shows charge details, court dates, fine amounts, and payment status. It is available around the clock from any web-connected device.
In-person searches are also available. The Charleston County Clerk of Court provides access to circuit court files during business hours. Staff can help locate case files and make copies upon request. For Municipal Court records, visit the court at 180 Lockwood Boulevard in Charleston. Public access terminals are available during business hours. Sealed and expunged records are not accessible through any public search system.
Note: Official certified copies of criminal court records in Charleston require direct contact with the Clerk of Court and cannot be obtained through the online Public Index alone.
Charleston Municipal Court Criminal Cases
The Charleston Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal offenses, traffic violations, and city ordinance matters that occur within city limits. The court is located at 180 Lockwood Boulevard in Charleston. You can reach it through the city's website at charleston-sc.gov/departments/municipal-court. Hearings are scheduled on specific days depending on the type of case. Public access to Municipal Court records is available during regular business hours.
Bond hearings for city arrests are conducted by the Charleston Bond Court. State law requires hearings within 24 hours of arrest. The court weighs factors including the severity of the charge, criminal history, ties to the community, and risk of flight. Bond types available include personal recognizance, cash bonds, surety bonds through licensed companies, and property bonds. Special conditions such as no-contact orders or curfews may be imposed at the court's discretion. The Bond Court also provides information about licensed bonding companies operating in Charleston.
The Municipal Court works closely with the Charleston Police Department on case processing, warrant service, and record coordination. Traffic ticket payments can be made online, by mail, or in person. The online payment portal at charleston-sc.gov accepts major credit cards and is accessible any time of day.
Charleston Police Department Records
The Charleston Police Department Records Division maintains all incident reports, arrest records, and accident reports generated by officers within the city. Requests can be submitted in person at Police Headquarters, by mail, or through the online records request portal at charleston-sc.gov/departments/police/records. Most incident reports are ready within three to five business days of the incident date. Arrest reports and booking information require a formal request with proper identification.
Accident reports are available through a third-party vendor for immediate online access. The Records Division has 15 business days to respond to records requests under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act. Fees are set by state law and include per-page copying charges and certification fees. Certain records may be exempt from disclosure, including materials related to ongoing investigations and juvenile cases. Body camera footage is available subject to applicable fees and required redactions.
Note: Requests for Charleston Police records must include specific details such as the date, time, location, and names of parties involved to help staff locate the file efficiently.
What Charleston Criminal Court Records Contain
Criminal court records in Charleston hold a wide range of documents created throughout the life of a case. A typical file for a felony case handled by the Charleston County Circuit Court includes the arrest warrant or indictment, charging documents, bond hearing records, court orders, plea agreements, and the final judgment or sentence. Records also show attorney appearances, continuances, and any appeals filed after the initial verdict.
Municipal Court records for misdemeanor and traffic cases contain the citation or arrest report, scheduled hearing dates, court notices sent to the defendant, payment records, and the disposition of the case. If a defendant completed a diversion program or traffic school, that information appears in the record as well. Bench warrant records appear when a defendant fails to appear as required by the court.
The South Carolina Title 17 criminal procedure statutes govern how criminal records are created, maintained, and accessed in this state. Records of expunged or sealed cases are removed from public access in compliance with court orders. Certified copies carry the official seal of the Clerk of Court and are required for use in most legal and administrative proceedings.
Public Records Access in Charleston
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act gives the public the right to inspect and copy public records held by government agencies, including criminal court records in Charleston. Most criminal court filings become public record once entered into the official case management system. The SC Judicial Branch provides online access to circuit court case information statewide through the Public Index.
Some records are not available to the public. Juvenile court records are sealed by default under state law. Active investigation files and materials protected by court order are also withheld. Expunged records are removed from public databases once the order is entered. For records that are available, the standard request process applies: submit a written request, describe the records you need, and pay any applicable copying fees.
Requests to the Charleston Police Department must comply with FOIA timelines. The department has 15 business days to respond. For circuit court records, contact the Clerk of Court. Municipal Court records are accessible at the court office. The SLED criminal records database offers another avenue for statewide criminal history searches.
Expungement Options for Charleston Residents
Charleston residents who want to clear qualifying criminal records from public access can file for expungement through the South Carolina court system. Expungement removes eligible charges or convictions from public criminal court records, and the record is no longer accessible through the Public Index or standard background searches. Eligibility depends on the type of charge, the outcome of the case, and whether prior expungements have been granted.
Common qualifying situations include charges that were dismissed, cases where a not-guilty verdict was returned, certain first-offense misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period, and cases handled through pre-trial intervention or conditional discharge programs. The 9th Circuit Solicitor's office must consent to many types of expungement requests in Charleston.
The process begins with an application filed through the Clerk of Court. The SC Judicial Branch expungement page has detailed information on eligibility and the steps involved. Required court forms can be downloaded at sccourts.org/forms. SLED also plays a role in the process. Once an expungement order is entered, SLED updates its records and the case is removed from the public databases maintained statewide. Consulting with an attorney before filing can help determine if your record qualifies.
Note: An expungement in South Carolina does not automatically seal records held by federal agencies or private databases that captured the information before the order was entered.
Charleston County Criminal Court Records
Charleston sits within Charleston County, and all felony criminal court records for city residents are maintained at the county level. The Charleston County Clerk of Court handles felony filings, indictments, and final judgments for the entire circuit. For complete county-level court information, fee schedules, and links to the Public Index, visit the county page below.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Residents of surrounding cities in the Charleston area access criminal court records through their own local courts and county systems. Select a city below to learn more.