Marlboro County Criminal Court Records
Marlboro County criminal court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Bennettsville. The county sits in the northeastern Pee Dee region and belongs to the 4th Judicial Circuit. The Court of General Sessions handles all felony criminal matters for Marlboro County. You can search these records online through the South Carolina Public Index or visit the courthouse at 105 Main Street. This guide covers where to look for records, what those records contain, and who manages the criminal justice process in Marlboro County.
Marlboro County Quick Facts
Marlboro County Clerk of Court
The Marlboro County Clerk of Court is the official custodian of criminal court records in the county. The office is located at 105 Main Street in Bennettsville. It maintains case files for the Court of General Sessions and the Court of Common Pleas. When criminal charges are filed in Marlboro County, the Clerk assigns a case number and opens a file that tracks every document, hearing date, and court decision.
The public has access to court records through the Clerk's office. You can search by name or case number and request copies of documents. Certified copies carry the official seal and are accepted for legal purposes. The Clerk's office also manages public access to court records for those who want to review files in person in Bennettsville.
Jury selection and court scheduling in Marlboro County are also handled through the Clerk's office. These functions support the General Sessions criminal docket. If you have questions about a specific case in Marlboro County, the Clerk of Court is the right starting point.
| Office |
Marlboro County Clerk of Court 105 Main Street Bennettsville, SC 29512 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | marlborocounty.sc.gov/clerk-of-court |
How to Search Marlboro County Criminal Records
Marlboro County is part of the South Carolina Public Index system. You can search criminal court records for free at publicindex.sccourts.org/marlboro/. Enter a defendant's name to see a list of matching cases. Each result shows the charges, case status, and upcoming or past court dates. This online search works well for getting a quick look at a case without going to Bennettsville in person.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org provides general guidance on how to use the Public Index and what information is available. For complete access to documents or certified records, you need to contact the Marlboro County Clerk of Court directly. Some older records in Marlboro County may exist only in paper form and require an in-person visit or written request to access.
Note: The Public Index is a case information tool. It does not always include full document images. Contact the Clerk of Court in Bennettsville for certified copies or document-level access to Marlboro County criminal court records.
What Marlboro County Criminal Court Records Show
Every criminal case in Marlboro County generates a set of documents that together form the court record. The first document is the charging instrument, which states the crime, the date, and the applicable statute. Warrants and grand jury indictments are added as the case moves through the system. These early documents establish the legal basis for the charges.
Hearings add more to the file over time. Bond hearings, pre-trial motions, and rulings from the judge all become part of the record. When both sides negotiate a plea, the agreement is filed with the Clerk. If the case goes to trial, transcripts and jury instructions may be added. The file keeps growing until the case reaches a final outcome.
Disposition records are what most people want to know about. These show whether the defendant was convicted, acquitted, or had the charges dismissed. Sentencing details follow a conviction. They include prison time, probation conditions, fines ordered, and any special terms set by the judge. These final records are part of the permanent Marlboro County court file and remain accessible to the public.
South Carolina criminal law and procedure are codified at Title 17 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. These statutes govern how every criminal record in Marlboro County is created, organized, and retained.
Marlboro County Court of General Sessions
The Court of General Sessions is where felony criminal trials take place in Marlboro County. The court is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit. Circuit judges travel the circuit to preside over General Sessions cases. Court terms in Bennettsville are held throughout the year to address the felony docket.
Cases reach General Sessions after initial proceedings in Magistrate or Municipal Court. The Solicitor's Office reviews the evidence and decides whether to present the case to the grand jury. An indictment moves the case into General Sessions. From there, the defendant faces either a trial or a resolution through a plea agreement. All records from these steps are held by the Marlboro County Clerk of Court.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History holds older Marlboro County criminal court records that predate the current digital systems and may not appear in the online Public Index.
Historical Marlboro County criminal court records from past decades may be available through the South Carolina Department of Archives and History at scdah.sc.gov/. Older records not in the digital Public Index may be found there or at the Clerk's office in Bennettsville.
Note: General Sessions handles felony charges only. Misdemeanor cases in Marlboro County are handled at the Magistrate or Municipal Court level and have separate record-keeping systems.
Marlboro County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Marlboro County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency in the county. The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for incidents in unincorporated Marlboro County. These records are created during the booking process and include the name of the arrested person, the charges, and the date of arrest.
The Sheriff operates the county detention center. Booking records from the detention center are separate from court records but often connect to cases you will find in the Public Index. Arrest records from Marlboro County are public documents. You can contact the Sheriff's Office directly to request a copy of an arrest report.
For a statewide certified criminal history, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division handles those requests at sled.sc.gov/CriminalRecords. SLED compiles criminal history records from agencies across all 46 counties, including Marlboro County. These reports include arrest and conviction data from across the state.
4th Circuit Solicitor and Marlboro County Prosecutions
The 4th Judicial Circuit Solicitor prosecutes felony criminal cases in Marlboro County. The Solicitor's Office is the link between law enforcement and the courts. After an arrest, the Solicitor reviews what the arresting agency has and decides how to charge the case in General Sessions. The Solicitor can also decide not to prosecute if the evidence is insufficient.
Victim services are offered through the Solicitor's Office in Marlboro County. Advocates help crime victims understand their rights, stay informed about case developments, and prepare for court appearances. The South Carolina Attorney General's office also provides statewide victim support resources at scag.gov/crime-victims/. These programs support victims throughout the criminal court process in Marlboro County and across South Carolina.
Expungement of Marlboro County Criminal Records
South Carolina law allows some criminal records to be expunged, which seals them from public view. Marlboro County residents with eligible records may apply through the Solicitor's Office. Charges that were dismissed, cases that ended in a not-guilty verdict, and certain first-offense convictions for minor crimes may qualify for expungement. Not every record is eligible, and prior convictions can bar a person from expunging later offenses.
The expungement application process involves the Solicitor's Office and the circuit court. Once the Solicitor approves the application and the judge enters an order, the Marlboro County record is sealed. SLED is notified to update the statewide criminal history database. The process is not instant and may take several months depending on the caseload of the court.
Detailed information about expungement eligibility and procedures is available at sccourts.org/courts/expungement.cfm. The required forms are posted at sccourts.org/forms/. Crime victims in Marlboro County have the right to be notified of and object to expungement petitions that affect their cases.
Nearby Counties
Marlboro County borders several other counties in northeastern South Carolina. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the offense took place. Check the location of the incident if you are uncertain which county has jurisdiction.