Arrest records are public documents in Travelers Rest, 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 legal right to access government records maintained by public agencies, including law enforcement entities. The South Carolina FOIA specifically designates arrest records as public information that must be disclosed upon proper request, with certain statutory exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and matters of public safety.
The City of Travelers Rest maintains these records in accordance with state transparency requirements. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental functions, including:
Residents should note that while arrest records are public, they document only the fact that an arrest occurred and do not constitute proof of guilt. Under South Carolina law, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Travelers Rest. The following governmental entities maintain and provide access to these records:
Travelers Rest Police Department
6711 State Park Road
Travelers Rest, SC 29690
(864) 834-9029
Public Records Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
The Travelers Rest Police Department maintains records of all arrests conducted within city limits. Requesters may submit a completed public records request form in person, by mail, or via email. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, the department may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.
Greenville County Sheriff's Office
4 McGee Street
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-5300
Public Records Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Sheriff's Office maintains countywide arrest records, including those from Travelers Rest. Individuals may request incident reports through their Records Division.
Greenville County Clerk of Court
301 University Ridge, Suite 1600
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-8551
Public Access Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
The Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests, including case dispositions and court proceedings. Public terminals are available for searching court records during regular business hours.
Online access options include:
Requesters should be prepared to provide specific information such as the individual's full name, approximate date of arrest, and date of birth (if known) to facilitate record retrieval.
Standard arrest records maintained by Travelers Rest law enforcement agencies contain specific categories of information as mandated by South Carolina law. These records typically include:
Subject identification information:
Arrest-specific information:
Post-arrest processing details:
The Greenville County Magistrate Court maintains additional records regarding initial appearances, bond hearings, and preliminary proceedings for arrests made in Travelers Rest. These records may contain supplementary information not included in the initial arrest documentation.
Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including:
South Carolina law provides specific mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records in Travelers Rest under defined circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access, effectively sealing them from general review. The authority for expungement is established under S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Travelers Rest include:
The expungement process requires:
Upon successful expungement, all public agencies including the Travelers Rest Police Department, Greenville County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and court systems must remove the records from public access. These agencies are thereafter prohibited from acknowledging the existence of such records except under limited statutory exceptions.
Individuals seeking expungement should note that federal agencies are not bound by state expungement orders, and certain expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes as outlined in S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-950(B).
Arrest records in Travelers Rest carry significant legal implications for affected individuals. These records, while public, document only the occurrence of an arrest and associated charges, not a determination of guilt. Nevertheless, their accessibility can impact various aspects of an individual's life.
Under South Carolina law, employers may legally consider arrest records when making hiring decisions, though the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission advises employers to consider the relationship between the arrest and the position sought. S.C. Code Ann. § 41-1-65 provides limited protections regarding the use of expunged records in employment contexts.
Housing providers, including public housing authorities and private landlords, may review arrest records as part of tenant screening processes. The Travelers Rest Housing Authority and private property management companies typically conduct background checks that include arrest record searches.
Professional licensing boards operating under the authority of the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation may consider arrest records when evaluating applications for professional licenses or certifications. Each licensing board maintains specific standards regarding the relevance of criminal history to professional practice.
Educational institutions, particularly those offering programs in healthcare, education, and security fields, may review arrest records for admission decisions and field placement eligibility.
Individuals with arrest records in Travelers Rest retain important rights, including: