>Charleston County Arrest Records Online

Charleston County, South Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Charleston County, South Carolina?

Arrest records are public in Charleston County, South Carolina, pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq.). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government-held information, including arrest records, booking photos, and related criminal justice documentation. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act operates under the principle that government transparency serves the public interest and promotes accountability within the criminal justice system.

Members of the public may access these records through various governmental agencies, including the Charleston County Sheriff's Office and the Charleston County Clerk of Court. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) also maintains a centralized database of arrest records that is accessible to the public, subject to certain restrictions and fees as prescribed by state law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Charleston County?

Arrest records in Charleston County are available through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Charleston County Public Index provides digital access to court records, including information related to criminal cases that originate from arrests. Additionally, the South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains an online database that includes Charleston County criminal court proceedings.

For comprehensive criminal history information, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division offers the CATCH (Citizens Access To Criminal Histories) system, which allows citizens to conduct name-based searches of criminal records throughout the state, including those from Charleston County. Access to these online records may require payment of statutory fees as established by S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-115.

Online access is subject to certain limitations established by state law, including restrictions on the display of certain personal identifying information and special protections for juvenile records pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2010.

How to Look Up Charleston County Arrest Records in 2025

Charleston County residents and other interested parties may access arrest records through multiple channels in 2025. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:

Visit the Charleston County Sheriff's Office Records Division in person at 3691 Leeds Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405. Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (843) 554-2230.
Access the Charleston County Clerk of Court's online services to search for criminal case information related to arrests. The physical office is located at 100 Broad Street, Suite 106, Charleston, SC 29401. Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (843) 958-5000.
Utilize the South Carolina Judicial Department's Public Index to search for criminal cases by name or case number. This resource provides information on court proceedings resulting from arrests.
Submit a request to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division through their CATCH system for a comprehensive criminal history check. SLED headquarters is located at 4400 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210. Telephone: (803) 737-9000.
For recent arrests, the Charleston County Detention Center maintains a current inmate roster that can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by contacting the detention facility directly at 3841 Leeds Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405. Telephone: (843) 554-2214.

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. Current fee schedules are available on the respective agency websites or by contacting the agencies directly.

Contents of a Charleston County Arrest Record

Charleston County arrest records contain standardized information as required by South Carolina law and local regulations. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known nicknames
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed description of all criminal charges filed, including the South Carolina Code section citations
Name and badge number of the arresting officer and their affiliated agency
Booking information, including date, time, and processing location
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint records collected during the booking process
Physical description of the arrested individual, including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Last known residential address
Case disposition information, if available
Bond information, including amount set and whether it was posted
Court appearance dates and locations

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary depending on the arresting agency and the nature of the charges. Records maintained by the Charleston County Sheriff's Office generally contain more detailed information than summary reports available through public index searches.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Charleston County

Expungement is the legal process through which arrest records and related criminal history information are removed from public access and official repositories. In Charleston County, expungement procedures are governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950.

Individuals may be eligible for expungement of arrest records under the following circumstances:

Charges were dismissed, nolle prossed, or the individual was found not guilty
Successful completion of a Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program
Successful completion of a conditional discharge for first-time drug offenders under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-53-450
Certain first-time, non-violent offenses after a waiting period of three to five years, depending on the offense
Juvenile records, subject to specific conditions outlined in S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2050

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Charleston County Clerk of Court, payment of applicable fees, and obtaining verification from the solicitor's office. Current expungement fees include a $250 administrative fee payable to the solicitor's office and a $25 filing fee payable to the clerk of court. Additional fees may apply for SLED verification.

Upon approval of an expungement order by a circuit court judge, all records related to the arrest are removed from public access and official repositories. Law enforcement agencies, detention facilities, and courts are required to destroy all records related to the expunged arrest pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-950.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Charleston County are generally public, certain legal restrictions limit access to specific types of records. These restrictions are established by state statutes and court rules to protect privacy interests and ensure fairness in the criminal justice system.

The following categories of arrest records are subject to restricted access:

Juvenile arrest records are confidential pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2010, with limited exceptions for certain violent offenses
Records related to domestic violence victims may have personal identifying information redacted under S.C. Code Ann. § 16-3-1900
Expunged records are removed from public access as outlined in S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-950
Records sealed by court order due to special circumstances
Records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act

Government agencies maintaining arrest records must comply with these statutory restrictions. Unauthorized access or disclosure of protected records may result in civil or criminal penalties as prescribed by law.

Search Arrest Records in Charleston County

Cities

Charleston