>Spartanburg County Arrest Records Online

Spartanburg County, South Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Spartanburg County, South Carolina?

Arrest records are public documents in Spartanburg 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 arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The South Carolina FOIA operates under the principle that governmental transparency is essential for an informed citizenry and accountable governance. Members of the public may access these records as part of their statutory right to information concerning governmental activities and proceedings.

The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains that public access to court records, including arrest information, supports the integrity of the judicial system by allowing citizens to monitor court activities. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40, which outlines specific exemptions to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, and juvenile records.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Spartanburg County?

Spartanburg County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to recent booking information and current inmate status through their official website. Additionally, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains statewide criminal history records that may be accessed electronically for authorized purposes.

Online accessibility of arrest records is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-115, which authorizes SLED to establish and maintain a system for dissemination of criminal history record information. The statute also outlines permissible uses of such information and establishes penalties for misuse. Digital records typically include basic arrest information, charges filed, and case status, though the comprehensiveness of online records may vary depending on the specific platform and the age of the records.

Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office
8045 Howard Street
Spartanburg, SC 29303
(864) 503-4500
Official Website

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
4400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 737-9000
Official Website

How to Look Up Spartanburg County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining Spartanburg County arrest records, each with specific procedures and requirements. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following options:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM). Requestors must complete a records request form and provide valid identification. Fees for copies are established pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B) and are payable by cash, credit card, or money order.
The Spartanburg County Clerk of Court maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings. These records may be accessed through the South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index, which provides case information for matters filed in Circuit and Family Courts.
The South Carolina Department of Corrections Inmate Search portal provides information on individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities, including those arrested in Spartanburg County who have been sentenced to state custody.
Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via mail to the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, specific information sought, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for response.

Spartanburg County Clerk of Court
180 Magnolia Street
Spartanburg, SC 29306
(864) 596-2591
Official Website

Contents of a Spartanburg County Arrest Record

Spartanburg County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-120. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint classification data
Case disposition information, when available
Bond amount and status
Court docket number and assigned jurisdiction

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the stage of criminal proceedings and the specific law enforcement agency involved. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 17-1-40, records pertaining to arrests that did not result in conviction may be subject to expungement under qualifying circumstances, thereby removing them from public access.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Spartanburg County

The expungement process in Spartanburg County is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements for removing arrest records from public access. Individuals may qualify for expungement under various circumstances, including:

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 (AEP), or Drug Court programs
Juvenile records meeting statutory criteria under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2050

The expungement application process requires submission of standardized forms to the Solicitor's Office in the judicial circuit where the arrest occurred. Upon verification of eligibility, the solicitor forwards the application to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and relevant agencies for processing. A filing fee of $250 applies to most expungement applications, though fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-940(E).

Expunged records are removed from public databases and physically segregated from accessible records. Law enforcement agencies and courts retain sealed versions of expunged records for limited official purposes as authorized by statute.

Seventh Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office
180 Magnolia Street
Spartanburg, SC 29306
(864) 596-2575
Official Website

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Spartanburg County, several statutory provisions limit access to certain categories of records. S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2010 prohibits public disclosure of juvenile arrest records except under specific circumstances. Additionally, records pertaining to victims of certain offenses, including sexual assault and domestic violence, may have identifying information redacted pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 16-3-730.

The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services maintains confidential supervision records that may contain arrest information but are not publicly accessible without court order or statutory authorization. Similarly, records related to ongoing investigations by the South Carolina Highway Patrol or local law enforcement agencies may be temporarily exempt from disclosure under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40(a)(3).

Individuals seeking arrest records for employment screening purposes must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) and state regulations governing background checks. Unauthorized access or misuse of criminal history information may result in civil and criminal penalties under both federal and state law.