Arrest records are public in Aiken County, South Carolina, pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq. These records are maintained as public documents that citizens may access to obtain information about law enforcement activities within the county. The South Carolina Public Records Act establishes that government-held records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public with certain statutory exceptions for privacy and ongoing investigations as outlined in § 30-4-40. This legislative framework ensures governmental transparency and accountability in the administration of justice throughout Aiken County and the state of South Carolina.
Arrest records can be found online in Aiken County through several official digital platforms. The Aiken County Sheriff's Office maintains electronic databases that allow for public access to arrest information. Additionally, the South Carolina Judicial Branch provides a statewide case management system that includes arrest data from Aiken County. The City of Aiken Department of Public Safety also maintains digital records of arrests within city limits. These online resources are provided in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(A)(1), which states that public records must be made available for public inspection and copying during normal business hours, with reasonable accommodations for electronic access where feasible.
Members of the public seeking Aiken County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:
Visit the Aiken County Sheriff's Office in person to submit a formal records request.
Aiken County Sheriff's Office
420 Hampton Avenue NE
Aiken, SC 29801
(803) 642-1761
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Access the Aiken County Clerk of Court for judicial records related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings.
Aiken County Clerk of Court
109 Park Avenue SE
Aiken, SC 29801
(803) 642-1710
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Submit a request through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) for statewide criminal history information that includes Aiken County arrests.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
4400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 737-9000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Utilize the SLED Catch online portal for criminal history record checks, which requires payment of a non-refundable $25.00 fee per search.
Request public safety reports from the City of Aiken Department of Public Safety for arrests within city jurisdiction.
City of Aiken Department of Public Safety
251 Laurens Street NW
Aiken, SC 29801
(803) 642-7620
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Aiken County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by South Carolina law enforcement protocols. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-120, these records typically include the following elements:
The Aiken County Municipal Court maintains records of case dispositions for arrests within city limits, while the Aiken County Clerk of Court maintains records for cases processed through the General Sessions Court for more serious offenses.
Under South Carolina law, specifically S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950, certain individuals may qualify to have their arrest records expunged from public access. Expungement is the legal process of destroying, obliterating, or striking out records or information in files, computers, and other depositories. The Aiken County Solicitor's Office processes expungement applications for eligible cases.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Aiken County include:
The expungement process requires:
Aiken County Solicitor's Office
109 Park Avenue SE, Room 106
Aiken, SC 29801
(803) 642-1557
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM