Find Criminal Court Records in Georgetown County
Georgetown County criminal court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at 401 Cleland Street in Georgetown, South Carolina. Located along the coast and part of the 15th Judicial Circuit, Georgetown County processes criminal cases through the Court of General Sessions. The Clerk of Court holds records for felony cases, serious misdemeanors, and criminal appeals. You can search Georgetown County criminal court records online through the SC Public Index by defendant name and case number, or visit the courthouse in person to access the full record. Case status and hearing information are available through both methods.
Georgetown County Quick Facts
Georgetown County Clerk of Court
The Georgetown County Clerk of Court maintains all criminal court records for the county. The office is located at 401 Cleland Street, Georgetown, SC. Staff handle records for both the Court of General Sessions and the Court of Common Pleas. Criminal records include felony cases, serious misdemeanor charges, and any appeals from lower courts within Georgetown County.
The Clerk's office manages jury selection and coordinates court scheduling for all sessions held in Georgetown County. Public access to records is available during business hours Monday through Friday. Certified copies of criminal court documents are available upon request when you present a valid photo ID. The office can search records by defendant name or case number to help you find what you need.
| Office |
Georgetown County Clerk of Court 401 Cleland Street Georgetown, SC 29440 |
|---|---|
| Circuit | 15th Judicial Circuit |
| Online Search | publicindex.sccourts.org/georgetown/ |
How to Search Georgetown County Criminal Records
Georgetown County participates in the South Carolina Public Index system. This free tool allows anyone to search criminal court records by defendant name and case number. The system returns case status and hearing information for active and closed cases. Go to publicindex.sccourts.org/georgetown/ to begin your search. No login is required to view basic case details in the Georgetown County Public Index.
For in-person record searches, visit the Clerk of Court at 401 Cleland Street in Georgetown. Staff can assist with locating records that may not appear clearly in the online system. Older or archived records may require additional time to retrieve. Bring a valid photo ID and any case information you already have, such as a case number or the approximate year of the case.
The statewide judicial website at sccourts.org provides guidance on how to use the Public Index and links to court forms and other resources. For a broader criminal history that may cross county lines, the SLED criminal records portal offers statewide background check access.
Note: The Georgetown County Public Index is updated regularly by Clerk of Court staff, but newly filed cases may not appear immediately. Contact the office directly for the most current information on a pending case.
What Georgetown Criminal Court Records Contain
Criminal court records in Georgetown County document every phase of a criminal case from initial filing to final resolution. Each case file held by the Clerk of Court contains the charging document, bond orders, continuances, motions, plea agreements, and the final disposition. These documents are public in most cases and can be accessed at the courthouse or through the online Public Index system.
A typical Georgetown County criminal court record includes the defendant's name and identifying information, the charges and statutes cited, the date of filing, attorney information, all court appearance dates and outcomes, the plea entered, and the sentence or verdict. When a court orders restitution, probation, or other conditions, those documents are also filed as part of the case record in Georgetown County.
Georgetown County Court of General Sessions
The Court of General Sessions is the primary criminal court for Georgetown County. It handles all felony cases and serious misdemeanors within the 15th Judicial Circuit. Cases come before the Court of General Sessions after a grand jury indicts or a defendant waives the indictment process. All proceedings take place at the Georgetown County Courthouse, and the Clerk of Court records and stores every order, motion, and judgment issued in the courtroom.
The 15th Judicial Circuit covers both Georgetown and Horry counties. Circuit judges rotate between the two counties based on the schedule set by the South Carolina Supreme Court. Court terms run throughout the year. The volume of cases in Georgetown County varies by term, and the Clerk's office manages the full docket including scheduling, continuances, and case tracking. All filings and outcomes become permanent criminal court records held by the Clerk of Court in Georgetown County.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides court schedules, judicial directory information, and links to the Public Index for Georgetown County and all other circuits statewide.
The SC Judicial Branch website at sccourts.org provides access to the Public Index, court calendars, and resources for anyone searching Georgetown County criminal court records.
Georgetown County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Georgetown County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in unincorporated parts of the county. The office maintains arrest records for all individuals taken into custody by Sheriff's deputies. These records document the date and place of arrest, the charges, the arresting officer, and the bond set at the initial hearing. The Sheriff's Office also operates the county detention center where arrestees are held.
To request arrest records from the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office, contact the Records Division. You may submit requests in person or in writing. For a complete statewide criminal history, the SLED criminal records system consolidates law enforcement data from agencies across South Carolina, including Georgetown County.
15th Circuit Solicitor in Georgetown County
The 15th Circuit Solicitor's Office prosecutes criminal cases in both Georgetown and Horry counties. The Solicitor evaluates charges submitted by law enforcement, decides which cases to bring before the grand jury, and represents the state in Court of General Sessions proceedings. Victim services are offered through the Solicitor's Office to help crime victims understand the process and access support. More victim resources are also available through scag.gov/crime-victims/.
Pre-trial intervention is offered for qualifying defendants in Georgetown County. Those who complete the program may have their charges dismissed. The Solicitor determines eligibility based on the nature of the offense and the defendant's prior record. All outcomes, whether through diversion or prosecution, are recorded in the Georgetown County criminal court records maintained by the Clerk of Court.
Note: The 15th Circuit Solicitor's Office handles a combined caseload for both Georgetown and Horry counties. Contact the office directly for specific case status or victim services inquiries related to Georgetown County cases.
Expungement and FOIA Access in Georgetown County
South Carolina allows eligible individuals to have certain criminal records expunged. Arrests that did not result in prosecution, dismissed charges, not guilty verdicts, and some first-offense convictions after completing probation may qualify. The expungement process in Georgetown County begins with a petition filed with the Clerk of Court at 401 Cleland Street. The 15th Circuit Solicitor's Office must review and approve the petition, which then goes to a circuit judge for signature. Full details on qualifying offenses and the process are at sccourts.org/courts/expungement.cfm.
Court forms for the expungement process are available at sccourts.org/forms/. Once the order is granted, the Clerk notifies SLED and other agencies to seal or destroy the record. Criminal procedure rules that apply to Georgetown County cases are codified in Title 17 of the South Carolina Code.
The South Carolina Attorney General's victim services office provides support and resources for crime victims involved in Georgetown County criminal court proceedings.
Victims of crimes prosecuted in Georgetown County can access services and information through the SC Attorney General's victim services office and through the 15th Circuit Solicitor's victim services staff.
Nearby Counties
Georgetown County is situated along the South Carolina coast. Neighboring counties share the 15th Judicial Circuit with Georgetown County or border it along inland lines. Check the correct county courthouse for records involving offenses that occurred near the county line.