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Laurens County, South Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Laurens County, South Carolina?

Arrest records in Laurens County, South Carolina are public documents accessible to citizens 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 information maintained by law enforcement agencies. The South Carolina FOIA operates under the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.

The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains that transparency in the criminal justice system serves the public interest by:

  • Ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies
  • Providing citizens with information about criminal activity in their communities
  • Supporting the constitutional right to public trials
  • Facilitating background checks for employment and housing purposes

Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving:

  • Juvenile records (protected under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2010)
  • Ongoing investigations where disclosure would harm the investigation
  • Records sealed by court order
  • Information that would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy

Laurens County Sheriff's Office
216 West Main Street
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-4967
Official Website

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Laurens County?

Digital access to arrest records is available through several official platforms maintained by Laurens County and state agencies. The Laurens County Clerk of Court provides electronic access to court records, including information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(A)(1), public bodies are required to make records available in the format requested if those records exist in that format.

Online resources for Laurens County arrest records include:

Users should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, comprehensive records may require in-person requests. Additionally, pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), agencies may charge reasonable fees for searching, retrieving, and redacting records, including those accessed electronically.

How to Look Up Laurens County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Laurens County, each with specific procedures established under South Carolina law. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(C), public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within 10 business days, and in most cases, must furnish the requested records within 30 calendar days.

To access arrest records, members of the public may:

  1. Submit a written request to the Laurens County Sheriff's Office Records Division:

    • Complete the designated request form
    • Provide specific information about the record sought (name, date of arrest, case number)
    • Present valid identification
    • Pay applicable fees as permitted under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B)

  2. Visit the Laurens County Clerk of Court to request court records related to arrests: Laurens County Clerk of Court
    100 Hillcrest Square
    Laurens, SC 29360
    (864) 984-3538
    Official Website
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

  3. Request criminal history information from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division: SLED Records Department
    4400 Broad River Road
    Columbia, SC 29210
    (803) 737-9000
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

  4. Access the Public Index online through the South Carolina Judicial Branch website, which provides case information for the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court.

Requestors should be aware that certain records may be subject to redaction under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40, which protects personal identifying information and other sensitive data.

Contents of a Laurens County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Laurens County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by South Carolina law enforcement protocols and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. These records typically include comprehensive data about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody.

Standard components of a Laurens County arrest record include:

  • Biographical information of the arrested individual:

    • Full legal name and any known aliases
    • Date of birth and age at time of arrest
    • Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color, identifying marks)
    • Residential address
    • Social Security Number (redacted in public copies pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40)

  • Arrest details:

    • Date, time, and location of arrest
    • Arresting agency and officer identification
    • Statutory citations for alleged offenses
    • Narrative description of the circumstances leading to arrest
    • Booking information and assigned case numbers

  • Processing documentation:

    • Fingerprint records
    • Booking photograph (mugshot)
    • Property inventory
    • Medical screening information
    • Bond information and court appearance dates

  • Disposition information:

    • Court proceedings and outcomes
    • Sentencing details if convicted
    • Probation or parole information if applicable

These records are maintained in accordance with South Carolina records retention schedules as established by the Department of Archives and History pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-1-90.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Laurens County

The expungement process in Laurens County allows 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 their cases meet statutory criteria.

Eligibility for expungement in Laurens County includes:

  • Charges that were dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in not guilty verdicts
  • First-offense convictions for certain misdemeanors after completion of sentence and waiting periods
  • Successful completion of Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI), Alcohol Education Program (AEP), or Drug Court programs
  • First-offense simple possession of marijuana or hashish (after three-year waiting period)
  • Juvenile records meeting criteria under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2050

The expungement procedure requires:

  1. Filing an application with the Laurens County Solicitor's Office: Eighth Circuit Solicitor's Office
    100 Hillcrest Square
    Laurens, SC 29360
    (864) 984-2631
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

  2. Payment of applicable fees:

    • $310 administrative fee (may be waived for certain dismissals)
    • Additional SLED verification fee of $25

  3. Verification by SLED that the applicant meets eligibility requirements

  4. Judicial review and issuance of expungement order

  5. Distribution of the order to all agencies holding records

Upon successful expungement, all records pertaining to the arrest, including booking records, fingerprints, and photographs, must be destroyed or sealed by the maintaining agencies. The Laurens County Probate Court and other county offices comply with expungement orders by removing eligible records from public access.

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