>McCormick County Arrest Records Online

McCormick County, South Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in McCormick County, South Carolina?

Arrest records are public in McCormick 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 created, maintained, or controlled by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies, shall be available for public inspection. The South Carolina Public Records Act mandates transparency in governmental operations, ensuring that citizens have access to information regarding arrests made within the county jurisdiction.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal functions:

Promotes accountability within the criminal justice system
Enables citizens to monitor law enforcement activities
Provides necessary information for background checks and public safety concerns
Supports journalistic reporting on matters of public interest

Exceptions to public disclosure may apply in certain circumstances as outlined in § 30-4-40, such as when release would interfere with an active investigation or compromise personal privacy beyond the scope of public interest.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in McCormick County?

Arrest records can be accessed online in McCormick County through several official digital platforms. The South Carolina Judicial Branch has implemented electronic record-keeping systems that allow for remote access to certain arrest information. Pursuant to the E-Government Act and state transparency initiatives, McCormick County has digitized many public records, including arrest documentation.

Online availability of arrest records is subject to the following conditions:

Records may be accessed through the South Carolina Judicial Branch's Public Index system
Certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40
Digital records are typically updated within 24-72 hours of processing
Some historical records may not be available in digital format and require in-person requests

The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains the central repository for court records, including those related to arrests in McCormick County. Additionally, the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Public Records portal provides access to McCormick County arrest information.

How to Look Up McCormick County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking McCormick County arrest records may utilize several authorized methods to obtain this information. The county has established multiple channels for record retrieval in compliance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, which requires public bodies to establish procedures for record access.

Official methods for accessing McCormick County arrest records include:

Online Public Index: The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a searchable database of court records, including arrest information, accessible through their official website.
McCormick County Sheriff's Office: In-person requests can be submitted during regular business hours.

McCormick County Sheriff's Office
McCormick County Law Enforcement Center
117 Highway 28 North
McCormick, SC 29835
(864) 465-2520
McCormick County Clerk of Court: Official court records related to arrests may be obtained from:

McCormick County Clerk of Court
McCormick County Courthouse
133 South Mine Street, Room 101
McCormick, SC 29835
(864) 852-2195
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED): For statewide criminal history information that includes McCormick County arrests:

SLED Records Department
4400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 737-9000

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.

Contents of a McCormick County Arrest Record

McCormick County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by the South Carolina Criminal Justice Records Improvement Act and related statutes. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and subsequent judicial proceedings.

Standard components of a McCormick County arrest record include:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and race
Physical descriptors such as height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including South Carolina Code references
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint classification data
Case or docket number assigned by the court
Bond or bail information, if applicable
Custody status
Court appearance dates

The South Carolina Department of Corrections maintains records for individuals who have been sentenced to state custody following conviction. For individuals who have been arrested but not yet convicted, records are maintained by county agencies in accordance with state record retention schedules.

Expungement of Arrest Records in McCormick County

Under South Carolina law, certain arrest records in McCormick County may be eligible for expungement. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed. The authority for expungement is established in S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in McCormick County include:

Arrests that did not result in conviction
First-offense convictions for certain misdemeanors after completion of sentence and specified waiting periods
Successful completion of Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) programs
Successful completion of conditional discharge for first-offense drug possession
Certain youthful offender convictions after specified time periods

The expungement process requires:

Filing a petition with the McCormick County Clerk of Court
Payment of filing fees (currently $310, which includes a $250 administrative fee, $25 filing fee, and $35 SLED verification fee)
Obtaining and submitting verification from SLED
Serving the petition on the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor's Office and the arresting agency
Attending a hearing if required by the court

The South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense provides legal assistance for qualifying individuals seeking expungement in McCormick County.

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-950, it is unlawful for any person to request information that has been expunged, and agencies must reply that no record exists when queried about expunged arrests.