Florence County, South Carolina Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Florence County, South Carolina?
Arrest records in Florence County, South Carolina are classified as public records pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq. These documents are generated and maintained by government agencies during the course of official law enforcement activities and judicial proceedings. The South Carolina FOIA establishes that records produced by public bodies shall be available for inspection and copying by any person, with certain statutory exceptions for privacy, ongoing investigations, and security concerns.
The Florence County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments within the county maintain arrest records as part of their official duties. These records document the apprehension and processing of individuals suspected of criminal activity. Public access to these records serves multiple governmental interests, including transparency in law enforcement operations, accountability of public officials, and community awareness of public safety matters.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while the records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40, which protects personal privacy and sensitive information such as social security numbers, juvenile records, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Florence County?
Florence County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by governmental entities and authorized third-party providers. The Florence County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that includes current inmate information and recent booking data. This information is updated regularly to reflect the current status of individuals within the county detention system.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides online access to court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings. The Public Index system allows users to search for cases by name, case number, or filing date. However, pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40(a)(3), certain sensitive information may be restricted from online viewing.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains a statewide criminal history database that includes arrest information from Florence County. Access to comprehensive criminal history records through SLED requires proper authorization and may involve payment of statutory fees as outlined in S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-115.
Online access to arrest records is subject to the same legal restrictions that apply to physical records. Information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile matters, and certain personal identifying information may be redacted or restricted in accordance with state law.
How to Look Up Florence County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Florence County. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following methods:
Submit a formal records request to the Florence County Sheriff's Office located at 6719 Friendfield Road, Effingham, SC 29541. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Contact number: (843) 665-2121.
Visit the Florence County Clerk of Court at the Florence County Judicial Center, 181 N. Irby Street, Florence, SC 29501. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (843) 665-3031.
Access the Florence County inmate search through the South Carolina Department of Corrections website, which provides information on currently detained individuals.
Submit a request for criminal history information to SLED through their Criminal Records Check Department at P.O. Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221. Telephone: (803) 896-1443.
Utilize the Public Index online system maintained by the South Carolina Judicial Department for court records related to arrests and prosecutions.
Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, agencies may charge reasonable fees for searching, retrieving, and copying records. Current fee schedules should be verified with each agency prior to submitting requests. Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information such as the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate accurate record retrieval.
Contents of a Florence County Arrest Record
Florence County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by South Carolina law enforcement protocols and judicial requirements. These official documents typically include:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and residential address.
Arrest details, including the date, time, and location of the arrest, the arresting agency, and the names and badge numbers of the arresting officers.
Criminal charges filed, including the South Carolina Code section allegedly violated, the classification of the offense (misdemeanor or felony), and a brief description of the alleged criminal activity.
Case processing information, including the booking number, fingerprint identification number, and court case number if assigned.
Custody status, including bond information, court dates, and detention facility location if the individual is incarcerated.
Photographic identification (mugshot) taken during the booking process.
Fingerprint impressions collected during processing.
Prior criminal history references, if applicable and relevant to the current charges.
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the stage of the criminal justice process and the policies of the specific agency maintaining the records. Records maintained by the Florence County Detention Center may contain additional information related to incarceration, while court records may include subsequent case disposition information not found in initial arrest documentation.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Florence County
The expungement process in Florence County operates under the authority of S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950, which provides mechanisms for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Expungement petitions must be filed in the court of original jurisdiction where the arrest or charge occurred.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Florence County include:
Charges that were dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in not guilty verdicts may qualify for expungement under S.C. Code Ann. § 17-1-40.
First-offense convictions for certain minor offenses after completion of sentence requirements and prescribed waiting periods as specified in S.C. Code Ann. § 22-5-910.
Successful completion of Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI), Alcohol Education Program (AEP), or similar diversion programs as outlined in S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-150.
Juvenile records that meet the criteria established in S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2050.
The expungement application process requires:
Submission of SLED Verification Form and payment of $25 verification fee.
Filing of the expungement application with the solicitor's office in the judicial circuit where the arrest occurred.
Payment of the $250 expungement filing fee (may be waived in cases of demonstrable financial hardship).
Judicial review and determination of eligibility.
Upon approval, expungement orders are distributed to all agencies possessing records of the arrest, including the Florence County Sheriff's Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These agencies are required by law to remove all records of the arrest from their public databases and physical files.
Expunged records are not destroyed but are segregated from public access. Law enforcement agencies may retain non-public access to expunged records for limited purposes as permitted by S.C. Code Ann. § 17-1-40(B).
Search Arrest Records in Florence County
