>Richland County Arrest Records Online

Richland County, South Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Richland County, South Carolina?

Arrest records are public in Richland 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, shall be available for public inspection and copying. The South Carolina FOIA operates under the principle that government activities should remain transparent to promote accountability and public trust in governmental institutions. Members of the public may access these records through various county agencies that maintain criminal justice information.

The Richland County Sheriff's Department and the Clerk of Court maintain these public records in accordance with state regulations. While most arrest information is publicly accessible, certain restrictions may apply to records involving juveniles, ongoing investigations, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety or individual privacy rights as outlined in § 30-4-40 of the South Carolina Code.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Richland County?

Arrest records can be found online through several official Richland County digital platforms. The county maintains a public records search system that allows citizens to access various court and criminal records electronically. Additionally, the Richland County Detention Center provides an inmate inquiry system where recent arrest information can be accessed.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) also maintains the SLED CATCH system (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories), which provides name-based criminal history information for a nominal fee. This statewide database includes arrest records from Richland County and other jurisdictions throughout South Carolina.

Online access to these records is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), which states that public bodies must provide records in the format requested if those records are available in that format. The electronic availability of these records facilitates public access while reducing administrative burden on county offices.

How to Look Up Richland County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Richland County arrest records. Members of the public seeking this information may utilize any of the following methods:

Visit the Richland County Sheriff's Department in person at 5623 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29223. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (803) 576-3000 for information about record request procedures.
Access the Richland County Detention Center's online inmate search for current inmate information and recent booking data.
Submit a request to the Richland County Clerk of Court located at 1701 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The office operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM and can be reached at (803) 576-1950.
Utilize the SLED CATCH system for statewide criminal history information that includes Richland County arrests.
Submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the arresting agency, pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30. Requests must be responded to within 10 business days, though agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records.
Check the General Sessions Court records for information about cases that have proceeded to court following an arrest.

When requesting records in person, requestors must present valid government-issued identification. Fees for copies typically range from $0.25 to $1.00 per page, with additional charges for certified copies or extensive searches as permitted under § 30-4-30(B).

Contents of a Richland County Arrest Record

Richland County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by South Carolina law enforcement protocols. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific criminal charges filed, including relevant South Carolina Code sections
Case or booking number assigned by the arresting agency
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs (commonly known as mugshots)
Fingerprint information collected during processing
Bail or bond amount set, if applicable
Custody status information
Court appearance dates, if scheduled

These records are maintained in accordance with the South Carolina Criminal Justice Records Retention Schedule as established by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-1-90. The retention period varies based on the severity of the offense and case disposition, with most arrest records being retained permanently for felony arrests and for extended periods for misdemeanor arrests.

Restrictions on Accessing Richland County Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public in Richland County, certain statutory and administrative restrictions limit access in specific circumstances. The following limitations apply to arrest record accessibility:

Juvenile records (under age 17) are confidential pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2010, except in cases where juveniles are tried as adults for certain serious offenses.
Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under exemptions provided in S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40(a)(3) if disclosure would harm the investigative process.
Expunged records are removed from public access in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950.
Records containing sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, medical information, or victim identities in certain cases may be redacted before release as provided in § 30-4-40.
Records related to certain domestic violence or sexual assault cases may have restricted access to protect victim privacy.

The Richland County Clerk of Court is responsible for ensuring that restricted records are properly segregated from public access. Individuals seeking access to restricted records may need to obtain a court order demonstrating legitimate need and legal authority to access such information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Richland County

Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records and related documentation are removed from public access in Richland County. South Carolina law provides several pathways for expungement under S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950. Eligible situations for expungement include:

Arrests that did not result in conviction
Successful completion of Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) programs
First-offense convictions for certain minor crimes after specified waiting periods
Juvenile records upon reaching age 18, provided certain conditions are met
Certain drug offenses after successful completion of drug court programs

The expungement process requires filing an application with the Richland County Solicitor's Office located at 1701 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The office can be contacted at (803) 576-1800. Application fees range from $250 to $310 depending on the type of expungement sought, as established by S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-940.

Upon approval by the Solicitor's Office, the application is forwarded to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and ultimately to a Circuit Court judge for final approval. If granted, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest are ordered to destroy or seal those records. Following expungement, individuals may legally deny the arrest occurred in most circumstances, with certain exceptions for law enforcement and judicial purposes.