Criminal Court Records in Kershaw County
Kershaw County criminal court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Kershaw County courthouse in Camden, South Carolina. The county is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Richland County. The Court of General Sessions handles felony charges and serious misdemeanor matters filed in Kershaw County. You can search Kershaw County criminal court records online through the South Carolina Public Index or visit the Clerk of Court at 1121 Broad Street in Camden. Records available to the public include case filings, charge details, hearing dates, and case dispositions.
Kershaw County Quick Facts
Kershaw County Clerk of Court Records
The Kershaw County Clerk of Court is the official custodian of criminal court records for the county. The office handles filings for the Court of General Sessions and the Court of Common Pleas. Staff manage case documents, maintain the court docket, and provide public access to records during business hours. Jury management services are also a function of the Clerk's office, supporting court proceedings throughout the year in Camden.
Criminal cases filed in Kershaw County involve felony charges and serious misdemeanor matters that fall under the jurisdiction of the circuit court. The Clerk's office at 1121 Broad Street is the point of contact for all record requests and certified copy orders. Certified copies of court documents are available for a fee. Bring a valid photo ID and any case information you have when visiting the office in person.
The Kershaw County Clerk of Court page provides official information about the office's services. The Kershaw County government website at kershaw.sc.gov also offers additional county resources and contact information for other departments.
| Office |
Kershaw County Clerk of Court 1121 Broad Street Camden, SC 29020 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | kershaw.sc.gov/clerk-of-court |
How to Search Kershaw County Criminal Court Records
The South Carolina Public Index is the easiest way to find Kershaw County criminal court records online. The system is free and open to the public without registration. You can search by defendant name or case number. Results show charge details, court dates, case status, and attorney information. Start your search at publicindex.sccourts.org/kershaw/.
The Public Index provides case status information that reflects the current stage of each matter. Records are updated as hearings are held and new information is entered by court staff. Document images may be available for some cases. For records that predate online availability, an in-person search at the Clerk of Court in Camden is necessary. Staff can search older docket books and pull archived files with the case details you provide.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch website offers additional tools and resources for searching court records. General guidance on the Public Index and links to each county's specific index page are available at sccourts.org. For any questions about accessing Kershaw County criminal court records, contacting the Clerk of Court directly is the best first step.
What Kershaw County Criminal Records Contain
A Kershaw County criminal court record begins with the defendant's identifying information and the specific charges filed. Each charge lists the criminal statute number and the classification of the offense. The case number, date of filing, and the assigned judge appear in the header. Every subsequent hearing is logged in the docket with the date, action taken, and outcome.
Full case files contain the indictment or arrest warrant that initiated the case, all motions filed by the attorneys, and the judge's orders on each motion. Sentencing documents detail any penalties imposed including prison terms, probation conditions, fines, and restitution. Bond records show the amount set at the initial hearing along with any modifications. Cases resolved through pre-trial intervention or conditional discharge programs are noted in the file along with the program terms and completion status.
All Kershaw County criminal court records are public documents under South Carolina law unless sealed by court order. They are maintained permanently by the Clerk of Court and are accessible to any member of the public. The governing framework for these records comes from South Carolina Code Title 17, which sets out criminal procedure statewide.
Note: Case information in the Public Index is updated regularly but may not reflect same-day changes. For the most current status on a pending case, contact the Kershaw County Clerk of Court directly.
Kershaw County Court of General Sessions
The Court of General Sessions is Kershaw County's primary criminal court. All felony prosecutions, grand jury proceedings, and serious misdemeanor cases fall under this court's authority. The 5th Judicial Circuit covers both Kershaw and Richland counties. Circuit court judges rotate between the counties on a schedule set by the South Carolina Supreme Court.
Grand jury indictments are the typical path for felony cases in Kershaw County. The grand jury meets periodically in Camden to review evidence presented by the 5th Circuit Solicitor's office. A true bill of indictment sends the case into the full trial process. All indictments and subsequent filings become part of the permanent Kershaw County criminal court records. From arraignment to final disposition, every step in the process is documented and held by the Clerk of Court.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides court schedules, judicial information, and statewide resources related to the 5th Circuit that handles Kershaw County criminal cases.
Visit sccourts.org for court schedules, judicial information, and statewide resources related to the 5th Circuit that handles Kershaw County criminal cases.
Kershaw County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Kershaw County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. The Sheriff maintains arrest records for all individuals taken into custody within Kershaw County. The Sheriff's Office also operates the county detention center, which holds pretrial detainees and sentenced inmates. Booking records generated at the detention center connect to criminal court filings when charges are formally filed with the Clerk of Court.
For questions about arrest records, booking information, or detention status in Kershaw County, contact the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's records division handles records requests related to incidents and arrests in the county. These records are separate from the court file but often referenced together when researching the full history of a criminal matter.
Note: An arrest does not imply guilt. Kershaw County criminal court records at the Clerk's office reflect the outcome of the legal proceedings, which is the authoritative source for final case dispositions.
5th Circuit Solicitor and Kershaw County Cases
The 5th Circuit Solicitor's Office prosecutes criminal cases in both Kershaw and Richland counties. For Kershaw County matters, the solicitor reviews cases forwarded by the Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies, then decides whether to pursue formal charges. The solicitor's office presents evidence to the grand jury and handles all trial preparation for cases that proceed to the Court of General Sessions.
Pre-trial intervention programs are available through the 5th Circuit Solicitor for eligible defendants in Kershaw County. These programs offer alternatives to traditional prosecution for qualifying first-time offenders. Successful completion can result in dismissal of charges, which is reflected in the criminal court record. Victim services are an important function of the solicitor's office, with support provided to crime victims throughout the prosecution process in Kershaw County. Visit scsolicitor5.org for information about prosecution services and victim assistance.
Expungement of Kershaw County Criminal Records
Certain Kershaw County criminal court records may qualify for expungement under South Carolina law. Eligible cases typically include dismissed charges, not-guilty verdicts, and some first-offense convictions for specific low-level offenses. Cases resolved through pre-trial intervention may also be eligible. Expungement removes the record from public access through the Public Index and Clerk of Court files.
To pursue expungement in Kershaw County, file the appropriate petition with the Clerk of Court in Camden. The 5th Circuit Solicitor reviews the petition before a circuit court judge rules on it. Standard expungement forms are available at sccourts.org/forms/. Process details are at sccourts.org/courts/expungement.cfm.
For a certified statewide criminal history check, use SLED's criminal records system. This service provides official background check results covering all South Carolina counties including Kershaw County.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch forms page provides standardized court forms used in Kershaw County criminal proceedings, including expungement petitions and other filings.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org/forms/ provides standardized court forms used in Kershaw County criminal proceedings, including expungement petitions and other filings.
Crime victims in Kershaw County can access support through the South Carolina Attorney General's victim services program, which provides assistance for victims involved in criminal court proceedings statewide.
Nearby Counties
Kershaw County is located in the Midlands region of South Carolina. Each neighboring county has its own Clerk of Court and criminal court records system.