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Pickens County, South Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Pickens County, South Carolina?

Arrest records are public in Pickens 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, including those pertaining to arrests, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The South Carolina Public Records Act mandates transparency in governmental operations, including those of law enforcement agencies operating within Pickens County. Members of the public may request and obtain arrest records from the appropriate county agencies, subject to certain limitations regarding ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and other protected information as specified in S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40.

The Pickens County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes non-exempt portions available in accordance with state law. These records serve multiple public interests, including promoting accountability within the criminal justice system and providing citizens with information about law enforcement activities within their community.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Pickens County?

Arrest records can be accessed online through various official Pickens County resources. The Pickens County Clerk of Court maintains an electronic database of court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. Additionally, the Pickens County Sheriff's Office provides certain arrest information through its official website.

The digital availability of these records is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(A)(1), which states that public records must be made available for public inspection and copying during the regular business hours of the custodian of the records. The provision of online access represents an effort by county officials to enhance public accessibility while maintaining compliance with state regulations regarding record disclosure.

Users of online systems should be aware that:

  • Some records may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws
  • Recent arrests may not appear immediately in online databases
  • Complete records may require in-person requests at the appropriate agency
  • Certain fees may apply for obtaining copies of records, as permitted under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B)

How to Look Up Pickens County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Pickens County as of 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following methods:

  1. Submit a request to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office:

Pickens County Sheriff's Office
216 L.E.C. Road
Pickens, SC 29671
(864) 898-5500
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

  1. Contact the Pickens County Clerk of Court for court records related to arrests:

Pickens County Clerk of Court
222 McDaniel Avenue
Pickens, SC 29671
(864) 898-5598
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

  1. Access the South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index for Pickens County, which contains searchable court records including those stemming from arrests.

  2. Submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the appropriate agency, as provided for under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30. Such requests must be responded to within 10 business days, with the records to be furnished within 30 calendar days for records less than 24 months old.

  3. Utilize the Pickens County Records Search for official county records that may contain arrest-related information.

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and, if possible, date of birth. Fees for copies of records are established in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B) and may vary based on the volume and format of records requested.

Contents of a Pickens County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Pickens County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Pursuant to standard law enforcement documentation practices, these records generally include:

  • Full legal name of the arrested individual
  • Any known aliases or alternative names
  • Date of birth and demographic information
  • Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
  • Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
  • Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses
  • Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
  • Agency responsible for the arrest (e.g., Pickens County Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments)
  • Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
  • Fingerprint records collected during the booking process
  • Case or incident number assigned to the arrest
  • Initial appearance information, including bail or bond determinations
  • Detention facility information if the individual was incarcerated

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains a central repository of arrest records from all jurisdictions within the state, including Pickens County, as mandated by S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-120. This centralized system ensures that arrest records are preserved and accessible to authorized agencies throughout the state criminal justice system.

It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted prior to release in accordance with privacy protections established under state and federal law, particularly for cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Pickens County

The expungement process in Pickens County allows for the removal of certain arrest records from public access under specific circumstances prescribed by South Carolina law. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950, individuals may petition for expungement when their case meets statutory criteria.

Eligibility for expungement in Pickens County generally includes:

  • 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), Alcohol Education Program, Traffic Education Program, or similar diversion programs
  • Juvenile records, subject to specific statutory provisions
  • First-time simple possession of controlled substances or conditional discharge dispositions after successful completion of requirements

The expungement process requires:

  1. Submission of an application to the Pickens County Solicitor's Office:

13th Circuit Solicitor's Office
305 E. North Street
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-8647
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

  1. Payment of applicable fees as established by S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-940, which may include:

    • $250 administrative fee to the solicitor's office
    • $25 fee to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
    • $35 filing fee to the Pickens County Clerk of Court
  2. Review and approval by the Circuit Court, which may require a hearing in certain cases

Upon successful expungement, all records related to the arrest, including booking records, fingerprints, and photographs, are removed from public access and sealed. Law enforcement agencies, detention facilities, and courts are required to destroy or seal physical records and remove electronic records from public databases.

It should be noted that expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies for certain purposes as specified in S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-950, and that expungement in South Carolina does not necessarily affect records maintained by federal agencies or private entities that may have collected the information prior to expungement.

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