Arrest records are public documents in Anderson County, South Carolina, pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq. This legislation establishes that records created, maintained, or controlled by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies, shall be available for public inspection and copying. The South Carolina Public Records Act further reinforces this accessibility, ensuring transparency in governmental operations and law enforcement activities.
Members of the public may access these records through various authorized channels, subject to certain exemptions prescribed by law. These exemptions typically pertain to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or information that might compromise public safety if disclosed. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains statewide criminal history records and provides guidance on public access protocols.
Public access to arrest records serves multiple functions within the judicial system:
Arrest records for Anderson County are accessible through various online platforms, in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(A)(1), which permits public bodies to establish and collect uniform fees for searching and providing records. The Anderson County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that includes recent arrest information, booking photos, and charge details.
The Anderson County Detention Center provides an inmate search function that displays information about currently incarcerated individuals, including their arrest date, charges, and bond information. Additionally, the South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains an online case management system that allows users to search for criminal cases by name or case number.
Online access to these records is subject to the following conditions:
Individuals seeking Anderson County arrest records in 2025 have multiple authorized channels through which they may obtain this information. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within specific timeframes and may charge reasonable fees for record retrieval and reproduction.
To obtain arrest records, members of the public may:
Visit the Anderson County Sheriff's Office in person at: Anderson County Sheriff's Office 305 Camson Road Anderson, SC 29625 (864) 260-4400 www.andersonsheriff.org
Submit a written request to the Anderson County Clerk of Court: Anderson County Clerk of Court 100 S. Main Street Anderson, SC 29624 (864) 260-4053 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Access the Anderson County Public Index online portal, which provides case information for arrests that have resulted in formal charges
Utilize the South Carolina Department of Corrections inmate search for individuals who have been convicted and sentenced to state custody
Request records from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) for comprehensive criminal history information: South Carolina Law Enforcement Division 4400 Broad River Road Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 737-9000 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the subject, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available.
Anderson County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-120, which establishes requirements for criminal identification data. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and subsequent processing through the criminal justice system.
A comprehensive arrest record typically includes:
Biographical information of the arrested individual:
Arrest details:
Case processing information:
Supplemental documentation:
The Anderson County public records system maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
Under South Carolina law, specifically S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950, certain individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Anderson County. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records, booking photos, and associated documentation are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Anderson County include:
The expungement process requires:
Individuals seeking expungement may obtain forms and guidance from:
Anderson County Solicitor's Office 100 S. Main Street, Suite 200 Anderson, SC 29624 (864) 260-4046 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
The Public Sex Offender Registry records are specifically excluded from expungement eligibility under South Carolina law, as are certain violent offenses and crimes of moral turpitude.