>Cherokee County Arrest Records Online

Cherokee County, South Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cherokee County, South Carolina?

Arrest records are public documents in Cherokee 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 governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests, must be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The public nature of these records serves to maintain transparency in law enforcement operations and accountability within the judicial system throughout Cherokee County.

Members of the public may access these records through various authorized channels, including the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Court's Office. The South Carolina FOIA stipulates that public bodies must make records available for inspection and copying during normal business hours, subject to reasonable rules concerning time and place of access.

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office
312 E. Frederick St.
Gaffney, SC 29340
Phone: 864-489-4722
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Cherokee County Clerk of Court's Office
Cherokee County Courthouse
125 E. Floyd Baker Blvd.
Gaffney, SC 29342
Phone: 864-487-2571
Cherokee County Clerk of Court

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Cherokee County?

Arrest records for Cherokee County are available through several online platforms, pursuant to South Carolina's public records laws. The digital accessibility of these records is maintained 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 the hours of operations of the public body.

The Cherokee County Seventh Judicial Circuit Court maintains an online public index where citizens may search for court cases related to arrests. Additionally, the South Carolina Judicial Branch provides a statewide system for accessing court records, which includes information from Cherokee County. These digital repositories are regularly updated to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness of the information provided.

Users should be aware that while basic arrest information is typically available online, certain documents may require in-person requests due to privacy considerations or technical limitations. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40, certain information may be redacted from public records, including social security numbers, home addresses, and telephone numbers of victims or witnesses.

How to Look Up Cherokee County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Cherokee County arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following methods:

In-person requests at the Sheriff's Office: Citizens may visit the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM) to request arrest records. Proper identification is required, and fees may apply for copies of documents.
Clerk of Court's Office: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be obtained from the Cherokee County Clerk of Court. The office maintains records of all criminal proceedings within the county's jurisdiction.
Online court record databases: The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a public index where arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings can be accessed. This system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED): For statewide criminal history information, including arrests in Cherokee County, citizens may request records from SLED. Fees apply for this service, and certain restrictions may be in place regarding who may access complete criminal histories.

Requests for arrest records must comply with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Public bodies have 10 business days to respond to a written request for records, and an additional 15 business days if the records are more than 24 months old, pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(C).

Contents of a Cherokee County Arrest Record

Cherokee County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by South Carolina law enforcement protocols. These records typically include the following components:

Biographical information: Full legal name, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks) of the arrested individual
Arrest details: Date, time, and specific location where the arrest occurred
Jurisdiction information: The law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest, including officer identification
Criminal charges: All offenses for which the individual was arrested, including the South Carolina Code section numbers for applicable statutes
Booking data: Fingerprints, mugshot photographs, and processing information
Case disposition: Current status of the case, including bail or bond information if applicable
Court information: Scheduled court appearances, assigned judge, and case numbers

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including medical information, juvenile records (unless tried as an adult), and information that would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cherokee County

The expungement process in Cherokee County allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as provided by South Carolina law. Expungement eligibility is governed primarily by S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950.

Individuals may qualify for expungement in the following situations:

Charges that were dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in not guilty verdicts
First-offense convictions for certain minor crimes after completion of sentence and a waiting period
Successful completion of Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI), Alcohol Education Program (AEP), or similar diversion programs
Juvenile offenses, subject to specific statutory requirements

The expungement procedure requires filing a formal application with the Cherokee County Solicitor's Office. The application must include:

Verification of eligibility from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
Payment of applicable filing fees (currently $310 for most expungements)
Certified disposition of the case from the Clerk of Court
Completed SLED verification form

Upon approval, the expungement order directs all relevant agencies to destroy or seal records relating to the arrest and prosecution. After expungement, the individual may legally deny the arrest occurred except in certain circumstances specified by statute.

Cherokee County Solicitor's Office
Cherokee County Courthouse
125 E. Floyd Baker Blvd., Suite B
Gaffney, SC 29340
Phone: 864-487-2570

Legal Restrictions on Accessing Cherokee County Arrest Records

Access to Cherokee County arrest records is subject to certain legal limitations established by state and federal statutes. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, while generally permitting public access to arrest records, contains several exemptions codified in S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40.

Restricted information includes:

Records related to ongoing law enforcement investigations, if disclosure would harm the investigation
Juvenile arrest records, except when juveniles are tried as adults
Information that would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy
Records protected by court orders or specific statutory exemptions
Victim information in certain cases, particularly involving domestic violence or sexual offenses

Additionally, the federal Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. § 552a) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) may restrict the disclosure of certain information contained within arrest records. Law enforcement agencies and court administrators in Cherokee County must comply with these federal mandates when processing record requests.

Individuals seeking arrest records may be required to demonstrate a legitimate purpose for accessing the information, particularly when requesting records that contain sensitive information. Government agencies may impose reasonable fees for searching, retrieving, and copying records as permitted under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B).

Using Cherokee County Arrest Records for Background Checks

Cherokee County arrest records serve as valuable resources for background verification processes, subject to compliance with applicable state and federal regulations. Employers, landlords, and other authorized entities may utilize these records in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., and South Carolina employment laws.

When using arrest records for employment screening purposes, the following guidelines apply:

Employers must obtain written consent from job applicants before conducting criminal background checks
Arrest records that did not result in conviction may have limited use in employment decisions under certain circumstances
Employers must provide pre-adverse action and adverse action notices when using arrest information to make unfavorable employment decisions
Records must be properly disposed of after use, in accordance with data security requirements

The South Carolina Human Affairs Commission enforces state regulations regarding the use of criminal history information in employment contexts. Employers and other entities conducting background checks should consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance with all applicable laws.

For official background checks, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) provides a centralized criminal history check service that includes Cherokee County arrest information. This service is available to authorized organizations and individuals for legitimate purposes as defined by state law.