South Carolina Arrest Records

Is South Carolina an Open Arrest Records State?

South Carolina is an open arrest records state pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq. This comprehensive legislation establishes the public's right to access governmental records, including arrest documentation maintained by law enforcement agencies throughout the state. The statutory framework reflects South Carolina's commitment to governmental transparency and public accountability in the administration of justice. The legislature has determined that public access to arrest records serves multiple essential functions within the state's democratic system, including enabling citizen oversight of law enforcement operations, facilitating informed public discourse regarding criminal justice matters, and promoting community awareness of potential public safety concerns.

The South Carolina FOIA operates under the presumption that all governmental records are open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. With respect to arrest records, S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-50(A)(8) explicitly designates "information in or taken from any incident reports, including statements of any person, sketches, drawings, or photographs" as public information subject to disclosure. This statutory provision ensures that members of the public, including media representatives, researchers, and concerned citizens, may access and review documentation pertaining to arrests conducted by state and local law enforcement agencies.

How to Look Up South Carolina Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking to obtain South Carolina arrest records in 2025 may utilize multiple access methods established by state and local authorities. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) serves as the central repository for criminal history information and provides several options for record retrieval:

Online Database Access: The SLED CATCH system (Citizens Access To Criminal Histories) allows individuals to conduct name-based criminal history searches for a fee of $25.00 per record. This system operates 24 hours per day and provides immediate results for most inquiries.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the SLED Records Department to submit requests in person during regular business hours.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
4400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
803-737-9000
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
County Courthouse Records: Each county maintains arrest records through the Clerk of Court's office. For example:

Richland County Clerk of Court
1701 Main Street
Columbia, SC 29201
803-576-1939
Richland County Clerk of Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sheriff's Office Inquiries: Local sheriff's offices maintain booking and arrest information. Many counties provide online inmate search capabilities, such as:

Horry County Sheriff's Office
1301 2nd Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
843-915-5450
Horry County Booking & Releases
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), agencies may charge reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and redaction of records. These fees must reflect the actual cost of the response and the lowest possible cost to the person requesting the records.

Contents of a South Carolina Arrest Record

South Carolina arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by the South Carolina Criminal Justice Records Improvement Plan and in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-120. A comprehensive arrest record typically includes the following elements:

Full legal name and documented aliases of the arrested individual
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and ethnicity
Physical descriptors (height, weight, hair color, eye color, and distinguishing features such as scars or tattoos)
Official booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint impressions collected at time of booking
Arrest details including:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges filed with corresponding South Carolina Code sections
- Incident report number and case reference information
Custody status information including:
- Bond/bail amount and conditions
- Detention facility location
- Court appearance dates
- Case disposition if available

The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains court records that may contain additional information regarding case progression following arrest. These records are accessible through the Public Index Search system maintained by county court administrators.

Understanding the South Carolina Open Records Act

The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq.) establishes the legal framework governing public access to governmental records, including arrest documentation. This comprehensive legislation codifies the state's policy that "public business should be performed in an open and public manner" to ensure that citizens are advised of governmental activities. Key provisions of the Act pertaining to arrest records include:

Presumption of Openness: S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-15 establishes that all public records shall be available for inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by statute.
Definition of Public Records: S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-20(c) broadly defines public records to include "all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, or other documentary materials regardless of physical form or characteristics prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body."
Response Timeframes: Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(C), public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within 10 business days (20 business days for records over 24 months old), indicating availability, exemption status, or need for additional time.
Exemptions: S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40 enumerates specific categories of information exempt from disclosure, including certain law enforcement records that would:
- Interfere with a prospective law enforcement proceeding
- Deprive a person of a right to a fair trial
- Constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy
- Disclose confidential informants or investigative techniques

The South Carolina Attorney General's Office has issued advisory opinions clarifying that basic arrest information, including the name of the arrestee and the charges filed, remains subject to public disclosure even when other aspects of an investigation may be exempt from disclosure.

Expungement of Arrest Records in South Carolina

South Carolina law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950. Expungement constitutes the destruction of criminal records relating to an arrest, charge, or conviction. The following provisions govern the expungement process:

Eligibility Criteria: Expungement may be available for:
- Charges dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulting in not guilty verdicts
- First offense convictions for certain misdemeanors after specified waiting periods
- Successful completion of Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) programs
- Conditional discharge for first-time drug offenses under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-53-450
Application Process: Individuals seeking expungement must:
- Submit an application to the solicitor's office in the judicial circuit where the arrest occurred
- Pay applicable administrative fees (currently $250 for most expungements)
- Obtain verification of eligibility from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
Legal Effect: Upon successful expungement:
- All records relating to the arrest, including booking records, photographs, and fingerprints, are destroyed
- The person may legally deny the arrest or conviction occurred
- The records are removed from public databases and indices

The expungement process is administered through the circuit solicitor's offices in each judicial circuit, with final orders issued by the circuit court. For example:

Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office
1701 Main Street, Suite 408
Columbia, SC 29201
803-576-1800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

How to Find Local Arrests in South Carolina?

Members of the public seeking information about recent local arrests in South Carolina may utilize several authorized channels established by municipal and county authorities. Access methods vary by jurisdiction but typically include:

County Detention Center Booking Reports: Most county detention facilities maintain daily booking logs that are available for public inspection. For example:

Beaufort County Detention Center
1069 Ribaut Road
Beaufort, SC 29902
843-255-5700
Beaufort County Inmate Inquiry System
Hours: 24 hours daily (administrative office: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday)
Sheriff's Office Websites: Many sheriff's offices publish recent arrest information on their official websites, updated daily or weekly. These resources typically include basic arrest information and booking photographs.
Municipal Police Department Records: City police departments maintain arrest logs that may be inspected during regular business hours. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, written requests may be required for copies of these records.
Court Docket Information: Magistrate and municipal courts publish daily dockets that include recently arrested individuals scheduled for bond hearings or arraignments. The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides links to county-specific court information.
County Clerk of Court Records: Following arrest processing, case information becomes available through the county clerk's office. For example:

Lexington County Clerk of Court
205 East Main Street
Lexington, SC 29072
803-785-8212
Lexington County Clerk of Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(A)(1), any person has the right to inspect or copy public records during the regular business hours of the custodial agency, subject to reasonable rules concerning time and place of access.