Beaufort County, South Carolina Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Beaufort County, South Carolina?
Arrest records are public documents in Beaufort 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 the public's right to access government records, including arrest information maintained by law enforcement agencies within the county. The South Carolina Public Records Act specifically designates arrest records as public documents to ensure transparency in the criminal justice system and accountability of law enforcement operations.
Members of the public may access these records unless specific statutory exemptions apply. Such exemptions may include records pertaining to ongoing investigations, juvenile records protected under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2010, or records sealed by court order. The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies are required to maintain these records and make them available for public inspection in accordance with state law.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Beaufort County?
Beaufort County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Beaufort County Detention Center provides an Inmate Inquiry System that allows the public to search for current inmates and recent arrests. This system is updated regularly to reflect the most current information available regarding individuals in custody.
Additionally, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains a statewide database that includes arrest records from Beaufort County. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-120, SLED is authorized to collect and disseminate criminal history information, including arrest data. The online accessibility of these records facilitates public access while reducing administrative burden on government offices.
Local municipalities within Beaufort County, such as the Town of Bluffton, also maintain Public Information Logs that document arrests within their jurisdictions. These digital resources enhance transparency and provide convenient access to arrest information without requiring in-person visits to government facilities.
How to Look Up Beaufort County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods are available for accessing Beaufort County arrest records, as prescribed by South Carolina public records laws. The following options are available to members of the public seeking arrest information:
Online Database Access: The Beaufort County Detention Center Inmate Inquiry System provides 24-hour access to current inmate information and recent arrest data. Users may search by name, booking number, or other identifiers.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may obtain arrest records by visiting the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Records Division.
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office
2001 Duke Street
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 255-3200
Official Website
Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Written Requests: Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, individuals may submit written requests for arrest records to the appropriate law enforcement agency. These requests must reasonably identify the records sought and may require payment of reasonable fees for search and duplication services.
SLED Criminal Records Check: For comprehensive criminal history information, including arrest data, citizens may request records from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
4400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 737-9000
Official Website
Requests require submission of a completed SLED record check form, proper identification, and payment of the statutory fee of $25 per record check as established by S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-115.
Contents of a Beaufort County Arrest Record
Beaufort County arrest records contain standardized information as required by South Carolina law enforcement protocols and state recordkeeping requirements. These records typically include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Specific charges filed, including citation of applicable South Carolina Code sections
- Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
- Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
- Fingerprint information collected during booking procedures
- Custody status and bond information, if applicable
- Court appearance dates and jurisdictional information
The comprehensiveness of these records serves multiple public interests, including criminal justice administration, public safety notification, and statistical analysis for law enforcement resource allocation. All information contained in these records is subject to the disclosure requirements and exemptions outlined in the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Beaufort County
Under South Carolina law, certain arrest records may be eligible for expungement in Beaufort County. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed. The authority for expungement is established in S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Beaufort County include:
- Charges that were dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in not guilty verdicts
- First-offense convictions for certain misdemeanors after completion of sentence and a waiting period
- Successful completion of Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) programs pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-150
- Successful completion of conditional discharge for first-time drug offenses under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-53-450
- Juvenile records meeting criteria under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2050
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Beaufort County Clerk of Court, payment of applicable fees, and verification of eligibility by the Solicitor's Office. Current filing fees include a $250 administrative fee, $25 SLED verification fee, and potentially additional fees for specific offense types.
Beaufort County Clerk of Court
102 Ribaut Road
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 255-5050
Official Website
Upon approval, expunged records are removed from public databases, including the Beaufort County Detention Center systems and other publicly accessible platforms. Law enforcement agencies and courts retain non-public records of expungements as required by S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-950.
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