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What are the best options for a criminal background search and a warrant lookup in South Carolina?

When I get asked about how easy/hard it is to find arrest records from South Carolina, I always tell people that it all depends on where they intend to conduct their arrest inquiry. If you are asking me about the state in general, I would say that the laws are people friendly.

 

This means that unlike in some other states, government agencies are not legally bound to keep criminal records away from the public. However, what you need to understand is that the release of information on warrants and even court records calls for the use of resources, both human and financial.

 

And, this is where both the sheriff’s office and that of the clerk of court get some leeway in deciding how much information they want to and can offer. To clarify this further, I will have to give you a few examples. So, let us start by talking about arrest records and I will work my way down to all types of criminal records that you can and will want to find.

 

What exactly are arrest records?

As the name suggests, this is the information collected by the police at the time of arrest. So, it includes data such as:

• Full name of the person who was arrested.
• Location and time of arrest.
• Charges/offense for which the individual was taken into custody.

 

Depending on whether your search involves accessing the arrest log for a particular area or the arrest report of one particular individual, you may also get a lot of other information. For instance, if your arrest inquiry concerns your subject and nobody else, you will also get information such as:

 

• Other arrests in his/her name.
• Arrest mugshots.
• The name of the facility where this person is being held, if he is still incarcerated.
• Bail amount.
• Date of release on bail if it has been granted.
• Charges filed against this person.

 

If you are looking for the arrest list for a specific county, the information you get on each person will be limited to just the full name, the arrest mugshot and the charges. Because the arrests are made by the local police, the detainees will be lodged in the county jail awaiting their bail hearing/trial.

 

Where should I go to find an arrest report?

For any information about arrests in a particular county, it makes sense to get in touch with the local police before any other state agency. I admit, things vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another on this front. So, while some law enforcement agencies provide an arrest list on their website along with the facility to look through the jail records, others will expect you to visit them for the arrest search. Here is a look at what’s on offer from some of the police departments in SC.

 

1. Darlington county arrest records: Although the Darlington sheriff’s office does not provide the arrest history for the day/week on their website, they do offer limited information on some of the arrests made through the “Latest Headlines” section on their website at https://www.darlingtonsheriff.org/.

 

In addition to this, you can learn about recent arrests by using the inmate lookup tool available at https://www.darlingtonsheriff.org/community-resources/darlington-county-inmate-search. If you have the name of the subject, this arrest log will serve as a database of criminal records from Darlington. You will find information on all the charges filed, surety in each matter, date of offense and date when admitted into the facility as well as identifying details.

 

2. Arrests in Dorchester County: You are not going to find anything worthwhile on the website of Dorchester Sheriff’s Office. In fact, they have clearly stated that they expect people to either visit the agency office or write to them for access to public criminal records. You can visit them at 212 Deming Way, Summerville, SC 29483 or write to their records division at this address.

 

3. The arrest log for Chesterfield County: The Sheriff’s Department of Chesterfield will only offer access to their arrest log if you get in touch with them over the phone or visit the county jail. You can call their Detention Center at 843-623-3385. This service is more appropriate if you are looking for information on a particular subject.

 

You will be asked to provide the name of the person and in response, you will be told whether the individual is currently incarcerated, the charges against him and the bail amount. If you are looking for arrests in last 5 days or any other time frame, visit the county jail at 319 Goodale Road.

 

4. Arrest records from Charleston: Although you won’t get access to the police blotter of the Charleston County Sheriff’s Department, the agency does offer a whole lot of other information on its website. For instance, you can find their jail records lookup facility at https://inmatesearch.charlestoncounty.org/.

This is another law enforcement office that not only offers information pertaining to current detainees but also provides details on individuals who have been released on bail. Plus, you can find out about previous bookings in the name of a person. That’s as good as a criminal background check as long as you can find the name of your subject in the inmate list.

 

5. Arrests in Pickens County: The jail records from the local law enforcement agency are as comprehensive as they come. You will get details on current as well as past bookings along with information on charges, warrants for arrest, date of detention and release, surety amount and case disposition, if any. You can find all of this at https://pickens-so-sc.zuercherportal.com/#/inmates.

 

How do I access jail records for South Carolina?

Offender information is available on the website of the SC Department of Corrections. The search facility at https://public.doc.state.sc.us/scdc-public/ allows you to launch a criminal check by using the name of the subject or the SCDC ID.

 

You will get an in-depth report about your subject, including details on the time he/she spent in a state penitentiary, offenses committed by the person, release date, parole date, arrest mugshot, identifier data, active cases if any against the offender, attempts to break out of prison and more.

 

Warrant Search

From what I have observed, it is far more difficult to do a warrant check than it is to launch an inquiry for criminal records, and the counties of SC are no exception to this rule. Of course, it would be unfair on my part to apply this observation to all the law enforcement offices in the state.

 

The reality is that, once again, the rules vary from one county to another, just like in other parts of the country.  Some agencies are not too keen on providing information on warrants unless they can confirm that an accused is not trying to play the system.

 

Typically, these agencies will ask you to come down to their office to connect with the warrant division. In contrast, some law enforcement offices provide their warrant list on the agency website.

 

How about if I just walk into the sheriff’s office for a warrant check?

Sure you could do that, but it is not something that I would recommend for all. In case you are wondering why- Well, a warrant is an order to arrest. So, if you walk into the precinct and have active warrants/warrant in your name, rest assured that you will be detained.

Unless you are absolutely sure that there are no outstanding warrants in the system that bear your name, I would suggest that you stay away from the law enforcement office. That said, the only time I would recommend such a move is if those arrest orders against you are just bench warrants.

 

Now, I bet at this point you are wondering, what is the big difference between outstanding warrants and bench warrants? Won’t you get arrested in both cases? When you discuss warrants, you are likely to come across three terms:

 

Active warrants: If I were to explain them in the simplest terms, I’d say these are fresh warrants, hot off the judicial bench. Think arrest warrants that have been issued no more than a few days earlier. Unfortunately, not all active warrants get served within days or even weeks of their release, and that is how we get to the second category of these arrests orders.

 

Outstanding warrants: As the suspects continue to evade the law, the warrants languish in the system and I assure you there are millions of such cases across the country in which the accused individuals are yet to be apprehended. These old warrants in the system are called outstanding warrants. Make no mistake, these have just as much of a bite as active warrants and will remain in the system for decades.

 

Bench warrants: Now, these are a whole different class of arrest orders because they are issued in case of minor criminal offenses and civil/municipal ordinance related transgressions. The police have no role in the issue of these orders although they are assigned the task of serving them. But, the punishment usually involves a fine and probation but not a jail sentence.

 

How is a warrant roundup different from a warrant inquiry in SC?

They are poles apart! A warrant inquiry can come from just about anybody, from a regular Joe looking to find information on a new friend or love interest to a home owner who is reviewing potential renters and even law enforcement personnel. Simply put, it is a search for the arrest warrants in the name of a subject.

 

In contrast, a warrant roundup does not involve civilians in any sense. The use of the word “roundup” may lead to the impression that this is just another inquiry for arrest warrants, but that is not what this is!

 

 A warrant round-up is essentially a police operation that involves serving as many outstanding warrants as possible within a fixed period of time. Usually, multiple law enforcement offices get involved in the operation and they make as many arrests as they can within a matter of 3-4 days.

 

The warrants are served without discrimination, meaning that the orders can be connected with petty offenses as well as serious crimes. Basically, the cops just go barging into homes and offices to pick up offenders. It goes without saying that nobody gets a whiff of the impending operation before it is actually concluded, least of all the media. After all, the operation would be an exercise in futility if the suspects are warned of their imminent arrest.

 

So, how do I initiate a warrants search in South Carolina?

Well, let me tell you about how the law enforcement agencies of some of the counties of the state handle requests for warrant information.

 

• Charleston warrant search: The Sheriff’s office of Chesterfield is one of the few agencies that offers access to its warrant database online. This facility is available at https://sheriff.charlestoncounty.org/warrants-search.php.
• Information on Dorchester County warrants: You won’t be able to find the warrant list but you do get their most wanted list at http://dorchestercountysheriff.net/dorchestersmostwanted.html. It’s not much to go by when you are doing a subject-specific warrant search. However, it can serve as a starting point if you are suspecting an individual’s involvement in serious criminal acts.
• Warrants search in Richland County: The most wanted list from Richland SD is available at http://www.rcsd.net/wanted/wanted.htm.  But it isn’t a regular top most wanted page. Instead, you get details on almost all offenders that are on the run from this agency.
• Greenville County warrant check: The Sheriff’s Department of Greenville does not offer information on all outstanding warrants, choosing to, instead, only provide details on the more dangerous criminal that have evaded arrest so far. You will find their most wanted list at http://www.gcso.org/most-wanted.php.
• Sumter County warrant search: In my opinion, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is the most generous, when it comes to offering criminal records for public consumption. The wanted search feature on their website at http://p2c.sumtercountysc.org/wantedsearch.aspx is simply a warrant lookup tool that offers in depth information on accused individuals. The entire warrant database can be accessed at http://p2c.sumtercountysc.org/wantedlist.aspx, and in it, you will find both bench warrants and active warrants.
• Berkeley County warrant search: The local sheriff’s office only entertains request for a warrant check if you visit the agency office. The warrant division works out of 223 N. Live Oak Drive, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. You can call on them during business hours from Monday through Friday.

 

Court records

As is the case in a lot of other states, court records from South Carolina are the easiest to find of all criminal search information, and you have the offices of the court clerks to thank for this facility. Every county has its own dedicated clerk of court’s office that handles the preparation, storage and dissemination of judicial records.

 

In most areas, you can find a court docket merely by going to the website of the agency. I bet at this point at least some of you are pondering over how a case lookup can help with a criminal check.

 

Well, the clerk of court’s office and the judiciary do not have a role in the actual arrest procedure, but they are involved in what comes before and after the arrest. For instance, arrest warrants come from the court, which means the clerk is in on the paperwork. Once a suspect is arrested, without or without a warrant, he is taken to court for the bail hearing. Again, the clerk’s office does get involved.

 

As you can see, whether it is a criminal or civil action, the judiciary and hence the court of clerk’s office play a vital role in it. So, if you are looking for criminal court records, this is the office to approach.

 

What options do I have for accessing courts records in SC through the clerk of court’s office?

• Visit for your case search: If you happen to be in the area, I would suggest that you march into the clerk’s office and simply use the public service computers to browse through the court repository. Yes, it really is as simple as that, and above all, this is a free service.

 

Nobody charges you for information although you will have to pay for any copies that you may want. But, my warning on not approaching local law enforcement if you have an outstanding warrant in your name also applies to the clerk’s office. Having said that, this would be the right option for you if you need certified copies of incident reports and other courts records.

 

• Look up a court docket online: This is the simplest approach and usually free. A bit ahead, I have explained this method with examples. Basically, this is a name-based search, and you will be able to find civil and criminal case information through it.

• Mail the request for a case lookup: This is the slowest way to get your hands on the case information you need. You will also have to pay a small fee for service, printing and postage. But once again, this option works well when you need certified documents.

 

What information can I get from a case search?

Although not the same as a criminal background check, a court records search will get you information on all the criminal and civil cases that involves the subject in any sense. As far as a specific court cases are concerned, you will get the records of the actual court proceedings, which will include:

 

• Name of both parties in case of a civil matter and the full name and identifying information on the subject for a criminal case search.
• Details on arrests, bail and release on bail.
• What transpired through the lifecycle of the case, barring victim and witness testimony, any financial and medical records and information on domestic dispute, underage victims and juvenile delinquents.
• Verdict and compensation for civil cases.
• Verdict and sentencing for criminal cases.
• Correctional data and release related information.
• Data on ongoing civil and criminal cases in the name of the subject.

 

Where do I go for a case lookup in various counties of South Carolina?

• York County court records: https://publicindex.sccourts.org/york/publicindex/
• Horry County clerk of court’s records: https://publicindex.sccourts.org/horry/publicindex/
• Dorchester County case lookup: https://publicindex.sccourts.org/dorchester/publicindex/
• Judicial records from Pickens County: https://publicindex.sccourts.org/pickens/publicindex/
• Court records search in Charleston County: https://jcmsweb.charlestoncounty.org/PublicIndex/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
• Case lookup in Richland County: https://publicindex.sccourts.org/Richland/PublicIndex/disclaimer.aspx
• Criminal court records from Greenville County: https://www2.greenvillecounty.org/scjd/publicindex/
• Court repository for Anderson County: https://publicindex.sccourts.org/anderson/publicindex/
• Union County judicial records: https://publicindex.sccourts.org/union/publicindex/
• Sumter County case search: https://publicindex.sccourts.org/sumter/publicindex/

 

The Court’s Open Access System of South Carolina is available for all counties of the state. Click on the name of your county at https://www.sccourts.org/casesearch/ to access the public court records, including every criminal court docket for that specific geographical area.

 

Judicial records are available for the General Sessions/Circuit Court as well as magistrate’s and municipal courts. You can also pay your tickets online by using the Court’s Public Access Platform.

 

For a case look up, you can use the case number or the name of the defendant or litigant as the search criteria. To filter the results, you can choose the court type or agency, the case date and action type. This is a free service, and you don’t need to register or sign-in to use the facility.

 

Is there a Courts’ Open access system that can be used for Appellate Court records?

Actually, the Court Connect system not only offers information on cases heard by the Appellate courts but also the trial courts. If you notice, it is the Court’s Open Access system that you use for the trial court records of all counties.

 

Case Records from the Court of Appeals: Instead of name-based docket search, for the Court of Appeals, you get access to the judicial records in the form of the case roster. This is available at https://www.sccourts.org/appealsRosters/dspCOARosterMenu.cfm. The information dates back to January 2002. You will find brief case information for all matters heard by the Appellate Court. Select the year by using the search feature on top of the page. Alternatively, you can get in touch with the Clerk’s Office for the Court of Appeals at 1220 Senate Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201.

 

Supreme Court records:  You can use the roster at https://www.sccourts.org/supremeRosters/dspSupRosterMenu.cfm. The Clerk’s Office for the Supreme Court works out of Supreme Court Building, 1231 Gervais Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The agency publishes the advance sheets, which include orders and opinions of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals as well as notices and rule changes at www.sccourts.org/opinions/indexAdv.cfm.

 

Criminal records

When it comes to a criminal background search, you will have it real easy in South Carolina. These folks have no qualms about allowing third parties to launch a criminal search, even when the prospect of employment is not involved.

 

All criminal court records in the name of an individual from the state of South Carolina can be accessed through this facility. Although this is not a free service, you can get a criminal background check done by using just the full name and the date of the birth of the subject.

 

The facility is offered by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Department or SLED. The best part is that you can get access to these criminal court records online and we are not talking about a specific criminal court docket here.

 

Known by its acronym CATCH (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories), this is a proper criminal background search that will get you the complete criminal history information about your subject from every law enforcement office in South Carolina.

 

How do I access public criminal records through SLED?

The agency offers two options for launching a criminal check. The charges are almost the same for both as is the information provided.

 

• Finding criminal records online through SLED: The tool is available through the page at https://catch.sled.sc.gov/Default.aspx. Once you accept the TnC, you will be redirected to the search page. You will be charged $26 for every criminal lookup and you have to mandatorily supply the full name and the birth date of the subject; social security number is optional.

 

So, this isn’t a random inquiry for criminal records online that can be launched just on the basis of the last name or the first few alphabets of the first name. Like with all online transactions, you will have to pay by using your debit/credit card. The $25 service/convenience charge will apply even if there are no criminal cases in the name of the subject.

 

Results are generated instantaneously and comprise of information pertaining to all criminal court cases initiated against the individual in the state of South Carolina. SLED does not inform the subject of the inquiry about the criminal check done in his/her name.

 

• Requesting a criminal search through mail: You can send in your request for a criminal history check through mail by using the form at https://catch.sled.sc.gov/images/SLEDCATCHFormfillable.pdf. Fill the form and send it to SLED Records Department, PO Box 21398 Columbia SC 29221-1398 along with a certified check or money order of $25 and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

 

Although it can take 7-10 business days to receive a response to your criminal lookup request, this is the best option if you need notarized or certified copes of the results. Make sure to let the agency know that notarization is needed by stating this on the form.

 

SLED does not entertain in-person requests for criminal background check. If you have any problems with the results of the inquiry, you can get in touch with the agency by calling on 803.896.1443.

 

What else do I need to know about SLED’s criminal records online facility?

• The criminal court records offered by SLED are limited to the state of South Carolina. So, if the subject was involved in a criminal act in any other part of the country, you will not get information about this from CATCH.
• To get a positive response, the first and the last name as well as the DOB of the subject as                 stated on the request form have to match the records in SLED’s database. Discrepancies in this information can lead to false results.
• The agency does not use the social security number of the subject for the criminal lookup, unless this information is provided by the applicant.
• SLED does offer finger print-based criminal history checks. But, these can only be availed if there is a law for such a requirement; for instance, employment in certain sectors.
• The rules for a national level criminal background check are the same as those for a fingerprint based inquiry.
• If the subject is currently on the run from the law and figures in the most wanted list of one or more law enforcement agencies in the state or even the FBI, this information will not be included in the results of your criminal case search.

 

Do counties offer the facility for a local criminal background check?

A few counties do offer the facility to launch a criminal records search through the Sheriff’s office. However, such inquiries will generate results that are limited to the county in which the inquiry request is filed and not to other parts of the state.

 

Moreover, even in areas where this service is available, you will need to visit the Sheriff’s Office to file the request for the criminal public records in their system or mail the request to them.

 

• Inquiries for criminal docket in Horry County: The local Sheriff’s Department is one of the few law enforcement agencies in the state that entertain requests for a criminal background check. The best part is that they offer the results at no charge.

 

However, to avail this facility you will have to visit the Sheriff’s Office at 1301 2nd Ave, Conway, SC 29526 from Monday through Friday during business hours. You will have to submit a signed and notarized waiver if you are seeking third party criminal history information and you will have to provide a valid, state issued ID. Use the form at http://sheriff.horrycounty.org/Portals/24/docs/Records%20Check%20Request.pdf for filing the request.

 

• Dorchester County criminal case search: The Sheriff’s Office of Dorchester only accepts requests for criminal lookup through mail. Write to them at Records Division, 212 Deming Way, Summerville, SC 29483 and expect to receive the results no sooner than 10-20 business days. You will be notified of the charges based on the number of copies and man hours required for the results.

• Charleston County criminal check: Use the form at https://sheriff.charlestoncounty.org/forms/Criminal-Records-Check.pdf to file your request for criminal records search through the Charleston Sheriff’s Department. You can submit the form in person or by mail. The form includes a signed waiver from the subject. The Law enforcement agency works out of 203 State Rd S-13-122, Chesterfield, SC 29709.

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