Conway Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Conway, South Carolina?
Arrest records are public documents in Conway, 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 records created, maintained, or controlled by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies, shall be available for public inspection. The Conway Police Department and Horry County Sheriff's Office maintain arrest records as part of their official duties, and these records are generally accessible to members of the public. This transparency serves multiple public interests, including governmental accountability, public safety awareness, and the constitutional right to information about the justice system's operations.
Public access to arrest records is subject to certain statutory exemptions under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40, which may restrict disclosure of information that could compromise ongoing investigations, violate personal privacy in specific circumstances, or endanger public safety. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to different confidentiality standards under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2010, which provides greater protection for minors within the criminal justice system.
How to Look Up Conway Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Conway have several official channels through which these documents may be obtained. Each method involves specific procedures established by the respective agencies:
- Conway Police Department: Individuals may submit requests for arrest records in person at the department headquarters. Requestors must complete a standard FOIA request form and provide proper identification. Processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and departmental workload.
Conway Police Department
1600 Ninth Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
Phone: (843) 248-1790
Official Website
- Horry County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive arrest records for the county jurisdiction. Requests may be submitted in writing using the department's public records request form. Fees for document reproduction are assessed in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B).
Horry County Sheriff's Office
1301 2nd Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
Phone: (843) 915-5450
Official Website
- J. Reuben Long Detention Center: This facility maintains booking and release information for individuals processed through the county detention system. The booking and releases database provides current information on recent arrests.
J. Reuben Long Detention Center
4150 J. Reuben Long Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
Phone: (843) 915-6500
Official Website
- Conway Municipal Court: Court records related to arrests within city jurisdiction may be obtained through the Municipal Court clerk's office. These records include case dispositions, hearing schedules, and related judicial documents.
Conway Municipal Court
1600 Ninth Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
Phone: (843) 248-1765
Official Website
- South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED): For comprehensive criminal history information, SLED maintains the central repository for statewide arrest records. Requests require submission of specific forms and payment of statutory fees as prescribed in S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-115.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
4400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
Phone: (803) 737-9000
Official Website: sled.sc.gov
Contents of a Conway Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Conway law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by South Carolina law enforcement protocols and the South Carolina Criminal Justice Records Improvement Act. These records typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, any documented aliases or known pseudonyms, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and last known address.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); the law enforcement agency conducting the arrest; and the statutory authority under which the arrest was made.
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of South Carolina Code of Laws or Conway Municipal Code for which the individual was arrested, including the statute or ordinance number, classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction), and a brief description of the alleged criminal conduct.
Booking Information: Unique booking identification number, date and time of processing, fingerprint classification data, and photographic identification (mugshot) taken during the booking process.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail determination, bond amount if applicable, pretrial release conditions, or detention status pending court proceedings.
Case Disposition: Ultimate resolution of the case, which may include prosecution, dismissal, diversion, conviction, acquittal, or other judicial determination.
Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40(a)(3), certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, personal medical information, and victim identification in specific cases as prescribed by law.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Conway
South Carolina law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The expungement process is governed primarily by S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Individuals may qualify for expungement of Conway arrest records under the following circumstances:
Charges that were dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in not guilty verdicts may be eligible for immediate expungement under S.C. Code Ann. § 17-1-40.
First-offense convictions for certain non-violent misdemeanors may qualify for expungement after a waiting period of three to five years, depending on the specific offense, pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 22-5-910.
Successful completion of pretrial intervention programs, conditional discharge programs, or other diversion initiatives as specified in S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-150 and § 44-53-450.
Juvenile records may be eligible for expungement under separate provisions outlined in S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2050.
The expungement process requires submission of a formal petition to the Horry County Clerk of Court, payment of applicable filing fees (currently $310 as of 2025), and verification of eligibility by the Solicitor's Office. Upon judicial approval, expungement orders are distributed to all agencies maintaining the relevant records, including the Conway Police Department, Horry County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Expunged records are removed from public access and sealed from routine disclosure. However, certain governmental entities may retain limited access to expunged records for specific law enforcement, judicial, or licensing purposes as authorized by S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-950.
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