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Myrtle Beach Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?

Arrest records in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq. This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be available for public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by statute. The South Carolina FOIA operates under the presumption that all government records are open to the public.

The Myrtle Beach Police Department and Horry County Sheriff's Office maintain arrest records as part of their official duties. These records typically document the circumstances of an individual's apprehension by law enforcement authorities and subsequent processing through the criminal justice system. Members of the public seeking arrest information may obtain these records through established procedures that balance transparency with privacy considerations as mandated by state law.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40, including records that would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy, information compiled for law enforcement purposes if disclosure would harm specific interests, and juvenile records protected under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2010. Law enforcement agencies may redact sensitive information from arrest records prior to release in accordance with these statutory provisions.

How to Look Up Myrtle Beach Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for members of the public to access arrest records in Myrtle Beach. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following methods:

Visit the Myrtle Beach Police Department Records Division in person to submit a formal request for arrest records.

Myrtle Beach Police Department
1101 North Oak Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 918-1382
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Access the Horry County Sheriff's Office booking and release information through their online portal, which provides details on individuals processed at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.

Horry County Sheriff's Office
1301 2nd Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 915-5450
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Request records from the Horry County Clerk of Court for cases that have proceeded to court proceedings.

Horry County Clerk of Court
1301 2nd Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 915-5080
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Submit a written FOIA request to the appropriate law enforcement agency, specifying the information sought. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, agencies must respond to such requests within 10 business days.
Utilize the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) criminal history search service for statewide arrest record information.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
4400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 737-9000
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth when available. Fees may apply for record retrieval and copying services in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for and making copies of records.

Contents of a Myrtle Beach Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Myrtle Beach law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system. Standard information included in these records consists of:

Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address at time of arrest
Arrest details, including date, time, and precise location where the apprehension occurred
Arresting agency information, identifying the specific law enforcement department and officer(s) involved in the arrest
Criminal charges filed, with reference to the specific South Carolina Code sections allegedly violated
Booking photographs (commonly known as mugshots) taken during processing at the detention facility
Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking procedure, which are subsequently submitted to state and federal criminal identification databases
Detention information, including booking number, custody status, and facility location
Bail or bond determination, including amount set and conditions imposed by the court
Case disposition information, if available, indicating the outcome of proceedings related to the arrest
Prior criminal history references that may be relevant to the current case

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-120, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain accurate records of all formal arrests. These records serve multiple purposes within the criminal justice system, including identification of individuals with outstanding warrants, assessment of flight risk and public safety concerns during pretrial proceedings, and evaluation of criminal history during sentencing.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Myrtle Beach

The South Carolina Code of Laws provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records, effectively removing them from public access. The Horry County Solicitor's Office administers the expungement program for eligible cases within the jurisdiction.

Horry County Solicitor's Office
1301 2nd Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 915-5460
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Myrtle Beach are established by state law and vary based on several factors:

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-950, individuals may qualify for expungement if charges were dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in a not guilty verdict.
First-time offenders convicted of certain misdemeanors may be eligible under S.C. Code Ann. § 22-5-910 after a waiting period of three years from the date of conviction, provided they have no other convictions during that period.
Successful completion of a Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program, Alcohol Education Program (AEP), or Drug Court may qualify an individual for expungement under S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-150.
Juvenile records may be eligible for expungement under specific provisions outlined in S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2050.

The expungement process requires submission of a formal petition to the court of original jurisdiction, accompanied by applicable fees. Current expungement application fees are $310.00, which includes a $250.00 filing fee, $25.00 administrative fee, and $35.00 SLED verification fee. Fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners upon submission of an affidavit of indigency.

Upon approval of an expungement order, all records related to the arrest, including booking records, fingerprints, and photographs, are removed from public access. Law enforcement agencies, detention facilities, and court systems are required to comply with expungement orders by removing all references to the expunged arrest from their publicly accessible databases.

It should be noted that certain expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors for specific purposes, including consideration in subsequent criminal proceedings, as permitted under S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-950(B).

Legal Restrictions on Using Arrest Records in Myrtle Beach

South Carolina law imposes significant restrictions on how arrest records may be utilized, particularly in employment contexts. Employers, licensing agencies, and other entities operating within Myrtle Beach must adhere to these regulations:

S.C. Code Ann. § 41-1-65 prohibits employers from inquiring about arrests that did not result in convictions on initial employment applications.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., requires employers to obtain written consent before conducting background checks and to follow specific adverse action procedures if employment is denied based on arrest record information.
Professional licensing boards operating under South Carolina law may consider arrest records only to the extent permitted by their governing statutes and regulations.
Housing providers receiving federal funding must comply with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development guidance limiting the use of arrest records in housing decisions.

Violations of these restrictions may result in civil liability, administrative penalties, or other legal consequences. Individuals who believe their arrest records have been improperly used may file complaints with the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission or pursue remedies through appropriate legal channels.