>Dillon County Arrest Records Online

Dillon County, South Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Dillon County, South Carolina?

Arrest records are public in Dillon 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 documents generated by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be accessible to members of the public. Arrest records, which document interactions between individuals and law enforcement authorities, fall within this category of public information unless specifically exempted by statutory provisions.

The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains that public access to court records, including arrest documentation, promotes transparency in governmental operations and facilitates informed civic participation. However, certain records may be subject to redaction or restriction in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40, which delineates specific exemptions to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or juvenile matters.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Dillon County?

Arrest records for Dillon County are accessible through various online platforms in accordance with South Carolina's public records statutes. The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a comprehensive database that includes arrest and court records from jurisdictions throughout the state, including Dillon County. This system allows for remote access to public judicial information.

Additionally, the Dillon County Sheriff's Office provides limited arrest information through their departmental website. Users should note that online records may not reflect real-time data, as there is typically a processing delay between an arrest and the electronic publication of associated records.

Third-party aggregator websites also compile and disseminate arrest record information. However, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) advises that information obtained from non-governmental sources should be independently verified for accuracy, completeness, and currency. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-115, official criminal history information must be obtained directly from authorized governmental repositories.

How to Look Up Dillon County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methodologies exist for obtaining arrest records in Dillon County, each with distinct procedural requirements. Interested parties may utilize the following approaches:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Dillon County Sheriff's Office located at 305 W. Hampton Street, Dillon, SC 29536. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should be prepared to present government-issued identification and complete a records request form.
Electronic access is available through the South Carolina Judicial Department's Public Index, which provides a searchable database of court records, including arrest information. Users may search by name, case number, or filing date.
Written requests may be directed to the Dillon County Clerk of Court at 401 W. Main Street, Dillon, SC 29536. Correspondence should include the subject's full name, approximate date of arrest, and the requestor's contact information. A processing fee of $25.00 per record is applicable, payable by certified check or money order.
For records pertaining to individuals currently in state custody, the South Carolina Department of Corrections Inmate Search provides arrest and incarceration information.

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), agencies must respond to records requests within 10 business days, though complex requests may require additional processing time.

Contents of a Dillon County Arrest Record

Dillon County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by the South Carolina Criminal Justice Records Improvement Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-10 et seq.). These official documents typically include the following components:

Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and residential address at time of arrest
Arrest specifics, including date, time, and precise location where the apprehension occurred
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses, including classification as misdemeanor or felony
Identification of the arresting agency and officer(s), including badge numbers and departmental affiliations
Booking information, including fingerprint classification, booking photograph (mugshot), and assigned identification numbers
Custody status, including bond information, court dates, and detention facility location if applicable
Prior arrest history within Dillon County jurisdiction, if any exists
Case disposition information, if proceedings have concluded

The Dillon Police Department and Dillon County Sheriff's Office maintain these records in accordance with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) standards for uniformity and completeness.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Dillon County

South Carolina law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records in Dillon County under specific statutory conditions. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950, individuals may petition for expungement when:

Charges have been dismissed, nolle prossed, or the individual has been found not guilty
The arrest resulted from mistaken identity or identity theft
The individual has successfully completed a pre-trial intervention program
The individual has received a pardon for the offense
The individual meets criteria for expungement of first-offense simple possession of marijuana or certain youthful offender convictions

The expungement process requires submission of a standardized petition to the Dillon County Solicitor's Office located at 401 W. Main Street, Dillon, SC 29536. A non-refundable administrative fee of $250.00 is required, along with a $25.00 filing fee payable to the Dillon County Clerk of Court. Additional fees may apply for SLED verification.

Upon approval, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services coordinates with relevant agencies to remove expunged records from public databases. However, certain governmental entities retain limited access to expunged records for specific administrative purposes as permitted under S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-950(A).

Limitations on Access to Certain Arrest Records

Not all arrest records in Dillon County are subject to unrestricted public access. South Carolina statutory provisions establish several categories of protected information:

Juvenile arrest records are generally confidential pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2010, with limited exceptions for violent offenses or upon court order
Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40(a)(3)
Arrests resulting from domestic violence incidents may have restricted access to protect victim identities
Records that have been subject to court-ordered expungement or sealing
Information regarding victims of certain offenses, particularly sexual crimes, is redacted to protect privacy

The Dillon County Clerk of Court, located at 401 W. Main Street, Dillon, SC 29536, telephone (843) 774-1425, serves as the custodian of record for judicial documents and can provide guidance regarding access restrictions for specific cases.

Legal Uses of Dillon County Arrest Records

Arrest records obtained from Dillon County repositories may be utilized for various legitimate purposes, subject to compliance with applicable state and federal regulations:

Background screening for employment, pursuant to the limitations established in S.C. Code Ann. § 41-1-65, which restricts consideration of expunged or dismissed charges
Tenant screening by property owners and management companies, subject to Fair Housing Act compliance
Professional licensing determinations by state regulatory boards
Personal research regarding potential business associates or other individuals
Statistical analysis and academic research, typically using anonymized data
Media reporting on matters of public interest

Users of arrest record information should be aware that the South Carolina Judicial Branch emphasizes that an arrest does not constitute proof of guilt, and records should be interpreted with appropriate context regarding case disposition.