>Lancaster County Arrest Records Online

Lancaster County, South Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lancaster County, South Carolina?

Arrest records in Lancaster County, South Carolina are public documents 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, are accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The public nature of these records serves to maintain transparency in law enforcement operations and ensures accountability within the criminal justice system.

The South Carolina FOIA stipulates that public bodies must make records available for inspection and copying during normal business hours. Citizens seeking arrest records may submit requests to the appropriate custodial agency, which must respond within statutory timeframes as outlined in § 30-4-30. While certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with § 30-4-40, the fundamental arrest data remains accessible to the public.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Lancaster County?

Lancaster County arrest records are available through various online platforms in accordance with South Carolina's public records statutes. The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that provides information regarding recent arrests and incarcerations within the county jurisdiction. This online accessibility is consistent with the state's commitment to governmental transparency as codified in S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(A)(1).

The South Carolina Judicial Branch also maintains an online case management system through which members of the public may access court records related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings. Access to these electronic records is governed by the South Carolina Court Administration's policies on public access to court records, which balance the public's right to information with privacy considerations as outlined in the South Carolina Rules of Court.

Additionally, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) provides a statewide criminal history search function that may include arrest data from Lancaster County. This service is provided pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-115, which authorizes SLED to disseminate criminal history information to the public under specified conditions.

How to Look Up Lancaster County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Lancaster County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several authorized channels to obtain this information. The following procedures have been established in accordance with South Carolina public records laws:

Submit a formal request to the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office Records Division located at 1941 Pageland Highway, Lancaster, SC 29720. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (803) 283-4136.
Access the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office website, which provides a searchable database of recent arrests and inmate information.
Visit the Lancaster County Clerk of Court at 104 North Main Street, Lancaster, SC 29720. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (803) 285-1581.
Utilize the South Carolina Judicial Branch public index to search for case information related to arrests in Lancaster County.
Submit a criminal history record request to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) at P.O. Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221. SLED's Criminal Records Department can be reached at (803) 737-9000.
Check the South Carolina Department of Corrections inmate search for individuals who have been convicted and sentenced to state custody.

Requestors should note that pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. These fees must reflect the actual cost of providing the records and may include deposits for requests requiring extensive staff time or resources.

Contents of a Lancaster County Arrest Record

Lancaster County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by South Carolina law enforcement protocols and the South Carolina Criminal Justice Records Improvement Act. These official documents typically include the following components:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged criminal violations
Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking information, including mugshot photographs and fingerprint data
Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
Custody status information, including bond amounts and conditions if applicable
Court docket numbers and scheduled appearance dates
Disposition information if the case has proceeded through the judicial system

The South Carolina Criminal Justice Information System, operated under the authority of SLED pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-110, establishes uniform standards for the collection and maintenance of arrest record data. Law enforcement agencies in Lancaster County adhere to these standards to ensure accuracy and completeness of arrest documentation.

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with exemptions provided in S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40, including but not limited to information that would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lancaster County

The expungement of arrest records in Lancaster County is governed by South Carolina Code § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950. Eligible individuals may petition for the removal of arrest and related records from public access under specific circumstances prescribed by state law.

Pursuant to South Carolina law, expungement eligibility generally applies to the following situations:

Charges that were dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in not guilty verdicts
First-offense convictions for certain misdemeanors after completion of sentence and a waiting period
Successful completion of Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) programs as authorized by § 17-22-150
Successful completion of conditional discharge for first-offense drug possession under § 44-53-450
Successful completion of the Alcohol Education Program as provided in § 17-22-530

The expungement process requires submission of a standardized application to the Solicitor's Office of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, located at 119 North Main Street, Lancaster, SC 29720. Telephone: (803) 416-9367. The application must be accompanied by the statutorily required fee, currently set at $310.00, which includes administrative costs and filing fees.

Upon receipt of a completed application, the Solicitor's Office reviews the petition for statutory compliance. If approved, the petition is forwarded to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, and other relevant agencies for processing. Upon court approval, all records pertaining to the arrest, including booking records, fingerprints, and photographs, are removed from public access.

The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon may provide additional information regarding the restoration of rights following successful expungement proceedings.