>Lee County Arrest Records Online

Lee County, South Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lee County, South Carolina?

Arrest records are public in Lee County, 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 government records, with certain statutory exemptions, shall be available for public inspection. Arrest records fall within the category of public records and are maintained to ensure transparency in law enforcement operations and judicial proceedings. The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental functions:

Promotes accountability within the criminal justice system
Enables citizens to monitor law enforcement activities
Provides information relevant to public safety concerns
Supports the constitutional principle of open government

The Lee County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations and makes them accessible to members of the public upon proper request. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted if disclosure would violate privacy protections established under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Lee County?

Lee County arrest records are available through various online platforms in compliance with South Carolina's public records laws. The digital accessibility of these records represents the county's commitment to governmental transparency and public information access as mandated by S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30. Online availability of arrest records serves several administrative purposes:

Reduces the burden on county staff who would otherwise process in-person requests
Provides 24-hour access to public information
Facilitates research for authorized purposes including background checks
Supports efficient information sharing between law enforcement agencies

The Lee County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that is regularly updated with current arrest information. Additionally, the South Carolina Judicial Department provides access to court records associated with arrests through its public index system. Users should note that online records may not contain complete case information, and verification through official county channels may be necessary for comprehensive record searches.

How to Look Up Lee County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Lee County arrest records may utilize several authorized methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(a), which requires public bodies to establish procedures for record access. Available methods include:

In-person requests at the Lee County Sheriff's Office located at 117 Gregg Street, Bishopville, SC 29010. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (803) 484-5353.
Submitting written requests to the Lee County Sheriff's Office via mail or email, including the subject's full name and date of birth.
Accessing the Lee County Clerk of Court records at 123 South Main Street, Bishopville, SC 29010. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (803) 484-5341.
Utilizing the South Carolina Judicial Department's Public Index, which provides case information for the Third Judicial Circuit that includes Lee County.
Searching the South Carolina Department of Corrections inmate database for individuals who have been sentenced to state custody.

Requestors should be prepared to provide identification and may be required to pay reasonable fees for record reproduction as permitted under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(b). Fees are established by county ordinance and are posted at service locations.

Contents of a Lee County Arrest Record

Lee County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by South Carolina law enforcement protocols and judicial requirements. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-120, arrest records typically include the following elements:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific criminal charges filed, with reference to applicable South Carolina Code sections
Case or docket number assigned by the court
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint classification information
Custody status and bail determination
Court appearance dates and preliminary hearing information

The Lee County Clerk of Court maintains these records in conjunction with the Sheriff's Office. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with privacy protections established under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40, particularly in cases involving juveniles or certain protected victim categories.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lee County

Under South Carolina law, certain arrest records may be eligible for expungement, which removes the record from public access. The expungement process in Lee County operates pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950. Eligibility criteria are strictly defined by statute and generally include:

Arrests that did not result in conviction
First-offense convictions for certain non-violent misdemeanors after completion of sentence and a waiting period
Successful completion of Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) programs
Certain juvenile offenses
First-time simple possession of controlled substances

The expungement procedure requires:

Filing an application with the Lee County Solicitor's Office located at 115 North Main Street, Bishopville, SC 29010. Telephone: (803) 484-5809.
Payment of applicable filing fees (currently $310 for most expungements)
Verification of eligibility by the Solicitor's Office
Judicial review and approval
Distribution of expungement order to all agencies holding records

The Lee County Register of Deeds and other county offices must comply with expungement orders by removing all references to the expunged arrest from publicly accessible records. Expunged records remain available to law enforcement agencies for certain limited purposes as specified in S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-950(B).

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves multiple governmental agencies and typically requires 90-120 days for completion after submission of a properly completed application.