>Georgetown County Arrest Records Online

Georgetown County, South Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Georgetown County, South Carolina?

Arrest records are public documents in Georgetown 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 documentation, unless specifically exempted by statute. The South Carolina FOIA operates under the principle that government transparency is essential to a functioning democracy, allowing citizens to monitor the activities of public officials and agencies.

Members of the public may request arrest records from various Georgetown County law enforcement agencies, including the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office and the Georgetown Police Department. These agencies maintain records of arrests conducted within their jurisdictions in accordance with state recordkeeping requirements. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted if disclosure would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation as specified under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40.

The Georgetown FOIA request process has been established to facilitate public access to these records while maintaining necessary protections for sensitive information.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Georgetown County?

Georgetown County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides a public index system where court records, including those related to arrests, can be searched electronically. This system is maintained pursuant to the South Carolina Court Administration's directive to increase public accessibility to court records.

The Georgetown County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of current inmates and recent arrests, which is updated regularly to provide timely information to the public. Additionally, the South Carolina Department of Corrections offers an online inmate search tool that includes information about individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system following arrest and conviction.

Online access to these records is subject to the same legal restrictions that apply to physical records, with certain sensitive information potentially redacted in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40. Users of these online systems should be aware that the information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an official comprehensive criminal history.

How to Look Up Georgetown County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing Georgetown County arrest records. Individuals seeking this information may utilize the following methods:

Submit a formal FOIA request to the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office located at 430 North Fraser Street, Georgetown, SC 29440. Requests may be submitted in person during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM), by mail, or via email.
Visit the Georgetown County Clerk of Court at the Georgetown County Judicial Center, 401 Cleland Street, Georgetown, SC 29440. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM and can be reached at (843) 545-3004.
Access the South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index to search for court records related to arrests in Georgetown County.
Utilize the South Carolina Department of Corrections Inmate Search for information on individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system.
Contact the Georgetown Police Department at 2222 Highmarket Street, Georgetown, SC 29440, or call (843) 545-4300 for arrest records within city limits.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information about the subject of the search, including full name, approximate date of arrest, and date of birth if available. Fees may apply for record searches and copies in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and redaction of records.

Contents of a Georgetown County Arrest Record

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

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, and identifying marks.
Arrest details, including the date, time, and specific location of the arrest, the arresting agency, and the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s).
Criminal charges filed at the time of arrest, including the specific South Carolina Code sections alleged to have been violated and the classification of each offense (misdemeanor or felony).
Case processing information, such as booking number, court docket number, bail or bond amount set, and initial court appearance date.
Photographic documentation, commonly referred to as a "mugshot," taken during the booking process.
Fingerprint records collected at the time of booking, which are subsequently submitted to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for identification verification and criminal history record maintenance.
Detention status indicating whether the individual was released on bail, personal recognizance, or remained in custody pending further proceedings.

These records are maintained in accordance with South Carolina records retention schedules and may be updated to reflect case disposition information as it becomes available through the judicial process.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Georgetown County

The expungement process in Georgetown County provides a legal mechanism for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances defined by South Carolina law. 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 individual has successfully completed a pre-trial intervention program under S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-150.
The individual has received a pardon for the offense.
The arrest was for a first-offense, low-level crime that qualifies under statutory provisions after a specified waiting period.

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Georgetown County Clerk of Court at the Georgetown County Judicial Center, 401 Cleland Street, Georgetown, SC 29440. The petition must be accompanied by the appropriate filing fee and supporting documentation. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) must verify eligibility, and the Solicitor's Office must review and approve the petition before it is presented to a Circuit Court judge for final determination.

Upon approval, an expungement order directs all relevant agencies to remove records of the arrest from public access. However, certain expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies and court officials for specific purposes as permitted by statute. The expungement process does not apply to certain serious offenses as enumerated in S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-950.