>Williamsburg County Arrest Records Online

Williamsburg County, South Carolina Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Williamsburg County, South Carolina?

Arrest records are public documents in Williamsburg 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 the public's right to access government records, including arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies. The South Carolina FOIA operates under the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. Arrest records, which document the apprehension of individuals suspected of criminal activity, fall within the category of public records accessible to citizens, journalists, researchers, and other interested parties.

The Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of its official duties in law enforcement and public safety. Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic purposes, including promoting transparency in the criminal justice system, enabling community awareness of public safety issues, and facilitating accountability of law enforcement agencies.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Williamsburg County?

Williamsburg County arrest records are available through several online platforms as part of the county's digital government initiatives. The Williamsburg County Clerk of Court maintains electronic records of court proceedings, including those related to arrests and subsequent legal actions. These digital repositories allow members of the public to access arrest information remotely, in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(A)(1), which permits public bodies to establish reasonable fees for the search and duplication of records.

Online access to arrest records is provided through the South Carolina Judicial Department's Public Index, which contains information on criminal and civil cases filed in Circuit Courts and Family Courts throughout the state. Additionally, the Williamsburg County Detention Center maintains a current inmate roster that may be accessed online, providing information on individuals currently in custody following arrest.

Users should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, comprehensive records may require in-person requests at the appropriate county offices. Online systems may also experience periodic maintenance or updates that temporarily affect accessibility.

How to Look Up Williamsburg County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Williamsburg County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information:

Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office: The primary law enforcement agency maintains arrest records for incidents within its jurisdiction. Requests may be submitted in person at the Sheriff's Office.

Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office
205 E Main Street
Kingstree, SC 29556
(843) 355-6381
Official Website

Williamsburg County Clerk of Court: The Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests that have proceeded to court action. Records requests can be submitted at the courthouse during regular business hours.

Williamsburg County Clerk of Court
125 Courthouse Square
Kingstree, SC 29556
(843) 355-9321
Official Website

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED): For statewide criminal history information, including arrests in Williamsburg County, requests may be submitted to SLED.

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

Online Court Records: The South Carolina Judicial Department maintains the Public Index, accessible online, which contains information on criminal cases in Williamsburg County.

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and redaction of records. Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth when available, to ensure accurate results.

Contents of a Williamsburg County Arrest Record

Williamsburg County arrest records typically contain standardized information as required by South Carolina law enforcement protocols. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in arrest. Standard components of an arrest record include:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of South Carolina Code of Laws or local ordinances for which the individual was arrested
Case Identification: Booking number, case number, and other administrative identifiers
Processing Information: Fingerprints, booking photographs (mugshots), and personal property inventory
Custody Status: Information regarding bail, bond amounts, or detention status
Preliminary Hearing Information: Date of initial court appearance and preliminary findings

The Williamsburg County Magistrate Court, which has jurisdiction over preliminary hearings and the issuance of arrest warrants, maintains records of these judicial proceedings as part of the arrest documentation. These records are maintained in accordance with South Carolina Court Administration retention schedules.

It should be noted that arrest records document allegations only and do not constitute proof of guilt. Under South Carolina law and the U.S. Constitution, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Williamsburg County

Expungement is the legal process through which arrest records and related documentation are removed from public access and, in some cases, destroyed. In Williamsburg County, expungement proceedings are governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950, which establish eligibility criteria and procedures.

The following categories of arrest records may be eligible for expungement in Williamsburg County:

Arrests that did not result in conviction
Convictions for certain first-time, non-violent offenses after specified waiting periods
Successful completion of Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) programs
Charges dismissed or nolle prossed (not prosecuted)
Pardoned offenses (with certain exceptions)

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Williamsburg County Circuit Court. Petitioners must submit:

Completed Application for Expungement
Verification of eligibility from the Solicitor's Office
Payment of applicable filing fees (currently $310.00, which includes a $250.00 administrative fee, $25.00 filing fee, and $35.00 SLED verification fee)
Supporting documentation as required by statute

Upon approval by the Circuit Court judge, expungement orders are distributed to all agencies maintaining records of the arrest, including the Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office, Detention Center, Clerk of Court, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. These agencies are required to remove the records from public access within a reasonable time period.

Expunged records are not destroyed in all cases but may be sealed from public view while remaining accessible to law enforcement agencies under specific circumstances authorized by statute.