Criminal records in Charleston County, South Carolina, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. CharlestonCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Charleston County Clerk of Court, the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, and the South Carolina Judicial Branch portal also provide access to criminal case data, arrest records, and related documents.
How to Search Criminal Records in Charleston
Several methods are available depending on what information you have and what type of record you need.
Online Search Options
- CharlestonCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information by name or case number.
- Charleston County Public Index — The Public Index Search tool maintained by the county allows searches of Circuit Court criminal and civil cases. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney.
- Clerk of Court Online Services — The Clerk of Court's online services page links to case search tools, the daily court calendar, and related resources.
- Sheriff's Office Inmate Search — The Charleston County Inmate Search shows current and prior inmates held at the Al Cannon Detention Center, including charges and booking details.
- Sheriff's Office Warrants Search — The warrants search portal lets you look up active warrants by name.
- SLED Criminal History — The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division processes statewide criminal background checks, including fingerprint-based searches.
- State Corrections Inmate Search — The SC Department of Corrections inmate search covers individuals serving state prison sentences.
- Federal Cases — For federal criminal cases filed in the District of South Carolina, use PACER.
In Person
Visit the Charleston County Clerk of Court's office at the courthouse to use public access terminals or request assistance from staff. Bring a valid photo ID. You can review case files, print documents, and request certified copies on site.
By Mail or Written Request
Submit a written request to the Clerk of Court specifying the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available). Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and any required fees. For a statewide criminal history report, submit a request directly to SLED with a completed application and fingerprint card.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth (recommended but not always required for court index searches)
- Case number (if known — the fastest way to pull a specific record)
- Approximate date range or year of the case
Search Charleston Criminal Cases by Case Number
South Carolina courts assign case numbers using a standardized format. Understanding the structure helps you locate cases quickly in the Public Index or at the clerk's window.
A typical Charleston County criminal case number follows this pattern:
- Year — The two-digit or four-digit year the case was filed (e.g., 2024)
- Case type code — A letter prefix indicating the type of case. Common criminal codes include:
- GS — General Sessions (felonies and serious misdemeanors tried in Circuit Court)
- CR — Criminal (used in some Magistrate or Summary Court filings)
- Sequential number — A numeric sequence assigned in the order the case was filed within that year and category
For example, a case number like 2024-GS-10-01234 would indicate a 2024 General Sessions case in Charleston County (county code 10), with 01234 as the filing sequence number. Enter the full case number into the Public Index search to pull the exact record, including all associated charges, hearing dates, and dispositions.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Charleston
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The South Carolina Code of Laws section the defendant is charged under (e.g., S.C. Code § 16-13-30 for petit larceny) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — determines which court handles the case |
| Amended charges | The original charge may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations; both the original and amended charges typically appear in the record |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further court action
- Active — Proceedings are underway (hearings scheduled, trial in progress)
- Disposed — The case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, or plea)
- Closed — All obligations are satisfied, including any sentence, fines, or probation
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists to proceed (felony cases)
- Pre-trial hearing — Attorneys address motions, discovery, and potential plea agreements
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — A follow-up to monitor compliance with probation, treatment, or other court orders
Court Results (Dispositions)
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | The prosecution dropped the charges or the court dismissed the case |
| Nolle prosequi | The solicitor elected not to prosecute; the case may be refiled later |
| Acquitted | The defendant was found not guilty after trial |
| Plea — lesser charge | The defendant pleaded guilty to a reduced charge |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Charleston
Charleston County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court is the custodian of Circuit Court criminal case files in Charleston County. You can request certified copies of case documents, disposition records, and judgments.
How to request:
- In person — Visit the Clerk's office, identify the case, and request certified copies at the records counter. Bring a valid photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request with the defendant's full name, case number, and a check or money order for the applicable fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Online — Some records may be viewable through the Clerk of Court's online services, though certified copies generally require an in-person or mail request.
SLED Criminal Background Checks
For a comprehensive statewide criminal history report, submit a request to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). SLED offers both name-based and fingerprint-based background checks. Fingerprint-based checks are required for certain employment and licensing purposes. Applications and fee information are available on the SLED website.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- For fingerprint-based checks: completed fingerprint card (FD-258) or electronic fingerprint submission through an approved vendor
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Charleston
Fees are set by South Carolina statute and the Charleston County Clerk of Court's fee schedule. Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (Title 30), public bodies may charge reasonable fees for copies of public records.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $0.25 | Uncertified photocopies of court documents |
| Certified copy | $1.00 per document plus $0.25 per page | Includes clerk's certification and seal |
| SLED name-based criminal history check | $25.00 | Submitted directly to SLED; fee may vary for electronic submissions |
| SLED fingerprint-based background check | $25.00+ | Additional FBI processing fee may apply for national checks |
| Search fee (clerk's office) | Varies | Contact the clerk's office for current search fees on older or archived records |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the clerk's office — Often available same day for recent cases
- Mail requests to the clerk — Typically 5–10 business days, depending on volume
- SLED name-based checks — Usually processed within 3–5 business days
- SLED fingerprint-based checks — May take 2–4 weeks, longer if FBI processing is included
Confirm current fees directly with the Charleston County Clerk of Court or SLED before submitting a request, as amounts may be updated periodically.