Arrest records are public in Marion 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 records maintained by public bodies must be available for inspection and copying by any member of the public, unless specifically exempted by statute. The South Carolina FOIA defines public records as "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, data processing software, and other material prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body."
The Marion County Sheriff's Office and the Marion County Clerk of Court maintain arrest records as part of their official duties. These records document law enforcement activities and judicial proceedings within the county jurisdiction. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records may submit requests to the appropriate agency in accordance with established procedures.
Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving:
Marion County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides a centralized system for accessing court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. Additionally, the Marion County government website offers links to relevant judicial resources and record search capabilities.
Online access to arrest records is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), which states that "public records must be available for inspection and copying during the normal business hours of the public body, unless the record is exempt pursuant to Section 30-4-40." The statute further provides that "a public body may establish and collect fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for or making copies of records."
Digital access to arrest records may be limited in certain circumstances:
Marion County Clerk of Court
100 North Main Street, Suite 202
Marion, SC 29571
Phone: (843) 423-8240
Marion County Clerk of Court Website
Members of the public seeking Marion County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following procedures have been established pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30:
In-person requests at the Marion County Sheriff's Office:
Court record requests through the Marion County Clerk of Court:
Online searches through the Public Index:
Marion County Sheriff's Office
2715 East Highway 76
Marion, SC 29571
Phone: (843) 423-8216
Marion County Sheriff's Office
Marion County arrest records contain standardized information as required by South Carolina law enforcement protocols and judicial record-keeping requirements. These records typically include the following elements:
Subject identification information:
Arrest details:
Processing information:
Case disposition:
The content and format of arrest records are maintained in accordance with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) standards and the South Carolina Criminal Justice Records Retention Schedule.
Expungement procedures in Marion County follow South Carolina statutory provisions outlined in S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records and related documentation are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed. The following circumstances may qualify for expungement consideration:
Charges dismissed, nolle prossed, or defendant found not guilty:
First offense convictions for certain misdemeanors:
Pretrial intervention program completion:
The expungement process requires:
Twelfth Circuit Solicitor's Office
181 North Main Street
Marion, SC 29571
Phone: (843) 423-8294
Twelfth Circuit Solicitor's Office