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.
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:
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Pickens County as of 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following methods:
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
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
Access the South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index for Pickens County, which contains searchable court records including those stemming from arrests.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
The expungement process requires:
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
Payment of applicable fees as established by S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-940, which may include:
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.