Arrest records are public documents in Easley, South Carolina, pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4). This legislation establishes that arrest information maintained by law enforcement agencies constitutes public record and must be made available for inspection by members of the general public. The Easley Police Department adheres to these transparency requirements, which serve to maintain accountability in the criminal justice system and ensure public access to information regarding law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction.
Requestors should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under state law. Such redactions typically include sensitive personal identifiers and information pertaining to ongoing investigations where disclosure might compromise public safety or the integrity of legal proceedings.
The City of Easley provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official methods:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests directly to the Records Department of the Easley Police Department located at 220 NW Main St, Easley, SC 29640. The department maintains public counter hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Electronic Submissions: FOIA requests may be submitted via email to records@easleypd.org. Requestors should clearly indicate the specific records being sought and provide contact information for response purposes.
Municipal Court Records: For cases that have proceeded to court, the Easley Municipal Court maintains records that may be accessed by contacting the court clerk.
Online Portal Access: The City of Easley maintains a digital records system through which certain public records, including arrest information, may be searched. This system is accessible through the Municipal Online Services platform.
Pursuant to S.C. Code § 30-4-30, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and redaction of records. The fee schedule is established by the Easley Police Department in accordance with state guidelines.
Easley Police Department Records Division
220 NW Main St
Easley, SC 29640
(864) 855-7923
Official Website
Arrest records maintained by the Easley Police Department typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement. Standard arrest records include the following categories of information:
Biographical Data: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms.
Physical Descriptors: Height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars that may assist in positive identification.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; the arresting officer's name and badge number; and the circumstances leading to the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of South Carolina state law or Easley municipal ordinances for which the individual was arrested, including statutory citations.
Booking Information: Fingerprints, mugshot photographs, and processing details from the intake procedure at the detention facility.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case, including bail or bond information, court dates, and preliminary hearing outcomes.
Agency Information: Identification of the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest and any cooperating jurisdictions.
In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act requirements, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations or endanger witnesses.
Under South Carolina law, certain individuals may qualify to have their arrest records expunged from public access. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public databases and sealed from general access. The South Carolina Code of Laws § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950 governs the expungement process for criminal records within the state.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Easley include:
Non-conviction Dispositions: Arrests that did not result in conviction may be eligible for expungement, including cases that were dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in not guilty verdicts.
First-time Offender Programs: Individuals who successfully complete pretrial intervention programs, alcohol education programs, or other diversion initiatives may qualify for expungement.
Specific Offense Categories: Certain first-time, non-violent offenses may be eligible after specified waiting periods, provided all terms of the sentence have been fulfilled and no subsequent arrests have occurred.
The expungement process requires submission of a formal petition to the court of original jurisdiction. Applicants must:
Upon approval, the court will issue an expungement order directing all relevant agencies to remove the record from public access. The Easley Police Department, upon receipt of a valid expungement order, will comply by restricting access to the specified records in accordance with state law.
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office
305 E. North Street
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-8647
Official Website