Myrtle Beach Criminal Court Records
Myrtle Beach criminal court records are maintained by the Horry County Clerk of Court for felony matters and by the Myrtle Beach Municipal Court for local misdemeanor and ordinance cases. Myrtle Beach is one of South Carolina's most visited coastal cities and one of the largest cities in Horry County. The volume of criminal court activity in Myrtle Beach reflects the city's size and its large seasonal tourist population. Records are searchable online through the South Carolina Public Index and in person at the Horry County courthouse. Both paths provide access to public criminal court filings without charge for basic case lookups.
Myrtle Beach Quick Facts
Criminal Court Records for Myrtle Beach Residents
Felony criminal court records for Myrtle Beach are held by the Horry County Clerk of Court. This office is the official keeper of all circuit court case files for felony charges originating in Myrtle Beach and across Horry County. Files include indictments, grand jury records, bond documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, trial transcripts when applicable, and post-conviction filings. These records are public and available to any person who requests them.
The 15th Judicial Circuit covers Horry County. The 15th Circuit Solicitor's Office handles prosecution of all felony cases in Myrtle Beach. This office works with local law enforcement to bring criminal matters from initial charge through trial or plea. Victim services are available through the solicitor's office for both Myrtle Beach residents and tourists who are victims of serious crimes in the area.
Myrtle Beach sees a high volume of criminal court activity relative to its permanent population because of the large number of visitors each year. The court systems handle cases involving both locals and out-of-state individuals who are cited or arrested while visiting. Records for all these cases are filed and maintained in Horry County regardless of the defendant's home state.
Note: Cases involving visitors from other states are still processed through Horry County courts, and Myrtle Beach criminal court records for those cases are held by the same Clerk of Court as any other Horry County case.
How to Search Myrtle Beach Criminal Court Records
The South Carolina Public Index is the primary online tool for finding Myrtle Beach criminal court records. Access it at publicindex.sccourts.org/Horry/ and search by name or case number. The system displays party names, charges, filing dates, and case status at no cost. Coverage includes all circuit court and general sessions cases in Horry County, which is where Myrtle Beach cases are filed.
In-person searches are available at the Horry County Clerk of Court office. Bring a valid photo ID and any identifying case information. Staff can retrieve files, assist with document review, and provide certified copies of court records. For certified documents needed in legal proceedings, in-person requests are the most direct route. The SC Judicial Branch website offers additional guidance on the Public Index system and general court access statewide.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides the Public Index and other online tools for searching Myrtle Beach criminal court records filed through the Horry County circuit court system.
The SC Judicial Branch provides statewide online access to criminal court records, including Myrtle Beach cases filed through the Horry County circuit court system.
Written FOIA requests to the Horry County Clerk of Court must receive a response within 15 business days under state law. Fees apply for copying and certification. Electronic records are provided in PDF format when available. Basic Public Index searches have no fee.
Myrtle Beach Municipal Court Records
The Myrtle Beach Municipal Court handles misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, and city ordinance violations within Myrtle Beach city limits. The court conducts bond hearings and preliminary hearings for felony cases before those matters move to the circuit court. Records are available for public inspection at the Municipal Court building during regular business hours. The court processes a notably high volume of tourist-related citations during peak vacation seasons.
Municipal court case files include citations, arrest reports, court documents, and disposition records. The court provides public terminals for searching case information by citation number, case number, or name. Certified copies are available upon request with payment of applicable statutory fees. Electronic records are provided in PDF format when available. Staff can assist with record searches and explain request procedures.
Online payment for citations and fines is available through the Myrtle Beach Municipal Court payment portal. Major credit and debit cards are accepted. Citations can be searched by number or personal information. Payments post within 24 hours with an email receipt. The portal operates around the clock. Payment plans require separate court approval.
Note: The Myrtle Beach Municipal Court responds to records requests within 15 business days per FOIA, and expunged records are removed from all public access systems once the court processes the order.
Myrtle Beach Police Department Records
The Myrtle Beach Police Department Records Division maintains incident reports, arrest records, and accident reports for all law enforcement activity within city limits. Records requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person at Police Department headquarters. The department works with both the Municipal Court and Horry County courts depending on the level of the charge involved.
SLED provides statewide criminal history checks that complement the local arrest records maintained by the Myrtle Beach Police Department Records Division.
SLED provides statewide criminal history checks that complement the local arrest records maintained by the Myrtle Beach Police Department Records Division.
Incident reports are generally available within three to five business days of the request. Arrest reports require a formal request with proper identification. Accident reports are available online through a third-party service. Body camera footage is available with applicable fees and any required redaction. Some records are exempt from disclosure under FOIA. Questions about specific requests can go to the Myrtle Beach Police Records Division.
For statewide criminal history, SLED maintains a comprehensive database at sled.sc.gov/CriminalRecords. A SLED background check covers arrests and convictions across South Carolina rather than just Myrtle Beach or Horry County. This is the right tool when you need a complete picture of someone's criminal history in the state.
What Myrtle Beach Criminal Records Contain
A felony criminal court file at the Horry County Clerk of Court for a Myrtle Beach case includes the arrest warrant or grand jury indictment, bond hearing records and any conditions of release, motions filed by the defense or prosecution, plea agreements or trial transcripts, the judge's sentencing order, and any post-conviction filings such as appeals or motions for reconsideration. The Clerk of Court keeps all these as part of the permanent public record unless a judge has entered a sealing order.
Municipal court records for Myrtle Beach are a different but related set of documents. These files typically contain the original citation or charging document, court notices sent to the defendant, bond paperwork when applicable, and the final case disposition. Both types of records together provide a full picture of how a criminal matter moved through the Myrtle Beach court system.
- Arrest warrants and charging documents
- Bond hearing records and release conditions
- Grand jury indictments
- Plea agreements and trial verdicts
- Sentencing orders and probation terms
- Appeals and post-conviction motions
- Traffic citation and ordinance violation records
Certified copies carry the court's official seal and are needed for most legal proceedings. Plain copies cost less and work for general reference. The Clerk of Court can tell you which type you need for your purpose.
Public Records Access in Myrtle Beach
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act gives the public the legal right to access criminal court records, including those from Myrtle Beach. The statute is at Title 17 of the South Carolina Code. Both the Horry County Clerk of Court and the Myrtle Beach Municipal Court must respond to written FOIA requests within 15 business days. Fees apply for copying and certified documents. Standard exemptions protect sealed cases, juvenile records, and records tied to ongoing criminal investigations.
Third-party requesters seeking records beyond routine public access may need to demonstrate a legitimate interest or provide proper authorization before the records office produces certain documents. The court cannot provide legal advice to requesters about what documents to seek or how to use them.
Crime victims in Myrtle Beach can access case information and support through the South Carolina Attorney General's victim services division. This includes both residents and tourists who are victims of crimes during their time in the city. The 15th Circuit Solicitor's Office also has victim advocates available for ongoing felony cases.
Note: All criminal court records from Myrtle Beach, including those involving out-of-state defendants, are filed in Horry County and subject to the same access rules as any other South Carolina criminal case.
Expungement Options for Myrtle Beach Residents
South Carolina law allows some Myrtle Beach residents to petition for expungement of criminal records. Eligible situations include first-time offenders charged with certain offenses, cases that were dismissed, and not-guilty verdicts. An approved expungement removes the record from the Public Index and all public access systems maintained by the courts. Petitions go through the Horry County Circuit Court. The Horry County Clerk of Court handles the administrative processing once a judge approves the petition.
The SC Judicial Branch provides full eligibility information at sccourts.org/courts/expungement.cfm. Free petition forms are at sccourts.org/forms/. Eligibility depends on the type of charge, the outcome of the case, and the time that has passed since the case closed. Records expunged in the Myrtle Beach Municipal Court are also removed from public systems once the court processes the order. Expunged records will not appear in standard Public Index searches going forward.
Myrtle Beach residents who were arrested but not convicted, or who completed a diversion program, should check their eligibility carefully. Some of these situations qualify for immediate expungement under current South Carolina law. A qualified attorney can help determine whether your specific record qualifies and guide you through the petition process.
Horry County Criminal Court Records
Myrtle Beach is located in Horry County. All felony criminal court records for Myrtle Beach residents and others charged within city limits are filed through the Horry County Circuit Court. For full county-level information, clerk contact details, court locations, and additional resources, visit the Horry County criminal court records page.
Nearby Cities along the Grand Strand
Residents of these nearby cities access criminal court records through the same Horry County court system or their own local courts.