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York Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in York, South Carolina?

Arrest records in York, South Carolina are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq. This legislation establishes that records created, maintained, or controlled by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies, shall be available for inspection and copying by any person. The South Carolina Public Records Act further reinforces this accessibility, mandating that arrest records maintained by public agencies remain available to the public except in specific circumstances outlined by statute.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental functions:

Promotes transparency in the criminal justice system
Enables community awareness of law enforcement activities
Supports accountability of public officials and agencies
Facilitates informed civic participation
Provides necessary information for background checks and public safety

Certain exceptions may apply to the disclosure of arrest records, particularly in cases involving juveniles, ongoing investigations, or where disclosure would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy as defined in S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40.

How to Look Up York Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking York arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels established by South Carolina statutes and local ordinances. The York County Sheriff's Office maintains the primary repository of arrest records within the jurisdiction and provides multiple methods for record retrieval.

Individuals may obtain arrest records through the following authorized methods:

In-person requests at the York County Sheriff's Office Records Division, located at 1675-2A York Highway, York, SC 29745. Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (803) 628-3059.
Written requests submitted to the York County Clerk of Court, Criminal Records Division at 12 East Liberty Street, York, SC 29745. Telephone: (803) 684-8512.
Online searches through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) criminal records database, which maintains statewide arrest information.
Requests through the York County Detention Center for current inmate information at 1675-7A York Highway, York, SC 29745. Telephone: (803) 628-3080.

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of records. Current fee schedules are posted at each agency location and on their respective websites. Certified copies of arrest records may require additional fees as established by the South Carolina Judicial Department.

Contents of a York Arrest Record

York County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by South Carolina Code § 23-3-120, which establishes uniform reporting requirements for all law enforcement agencies within the state. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in arrest.

Standard arrest records in York County contain the following elements:

Subject identification information:
- Full legal name and any documented aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, and identifying marks
- Residential address at time of arrest
- State identification number and FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and precise location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges with South Carolina Code references
- Incident report number and case reference information
- Booking number and processing information
Case processing information:
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprint classification and biometric identifiers
- Bond/bail amount and conditions
- Court appearance dates
- Detention facility assignment (if applicable)
Disposition information:
- Current status of charges
- Court proceedings and outcomes
- Sentencing information (if convicted)

The York County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with South Carolina Records Retention Schedule S-13, which requires preservation of arrest records for a minimum of 75 years from the date of creation.

Expungement of Arrest Records in York

The expungement of arrest records in York County is governed by South Carolina Code § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950, which provides specific criteria and procedures for removing eligible arrests from public access. Expungement constitutes the destruction of criminal records relating to an arrest, charge, or conviction.

Eligibility for expungement in York County is determined by the following statutory provisions:

Pursuant to S.C. Code § 17-22-910, individuals may qualify for expungement if:
- Charges were dismissed, nolle prossed, or the person was found not guilty
- The person completed a pre-trial intervention program
- The person received a pardon for the offense
- Certain first-offense convictions after specified waiting periods

The expungement process requires:

Submission of an application to the Solicitor's Office of the 16th Judicial Circuit, located at 1070 Heckle Boulevard, Suite 300, Rock Hill, SC 29732. Telephone: (803) 909-7540.
Payment of applicable fees:
- $310.00 for expungement of General Sessions charges
- $160.00 for expungement of Magistrate/Municipal Court charges
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants pursuant to S.C. Code § 17-22-940
Review by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to verify eligibility
Judicial approval by the Circuit Court of York County

Upon successful expungement, all records pertaining to the arrest are removed from public access and the individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest except in specific circumstances outlined in S.C. Code § 17-22-950.

Limitations on Access to York Arrest Records

Access to arrest records in York County is subject to certain statutory limitations designed to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, and rehabilitation efforts. These restrictions are codified in various sections of South Carolina law and local ordinances.

The following limitations apply to arrest record access:

Juvenile records are protected under S.C. Code § 63-19-2010, which restricts public access to arrest records of individuals under 17 years of age except by court order or to authorized agencies.
Expunged records are removed from public access pursuant to S.C. Code § 17-22-950 and may not be disclosed by government agencies.
Records pertaining to victims of certain offenses, including sexual assault and domestic violence, may have restricted access under S.C. Code § 16-3-730.
Ongoing investigation records may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would harm the investigation pursuant to S.C. Code § 30-4-40(a)(3).
Records containing personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information are redacted prior to public disclosure in accordance with S.C. Code § 30-4-40(a)(2).

Law enforcement agencies in York County implement these restrictions through established protocols for record redaction and restricted access. Violations of these privacy protections may result in civil penalties as provided in S.C. Code § 30-4-110.