Arrests.org SC: Explore South Carolina Arrest Records
SC-Arrests.us, your trusted source for the latest arrest records in South Carolina. Our easy-to-use platform allows you to quickly search arrest details by name, location, or date, keeping you informed about law enforcement activities in the state.
Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and South Carolina’s FOIA, accessing South Carolina arrest records and criminal proceedings is straightforward. However, knowing the right places to search is key to a hassle-free experience.
Whether you need information on arrests, mugshots, criminal history, background checks, probation or parole details, warrant status, prisoner records, or local sex offenders, this resource offers all the essential tools you need to find the required information.
Find free South Carolina criminal records easily through official sources. This guide helps you learn about a person’s past or present situation.
Below, we discuss more about Arrest org SC:
Are Criminal and Arrest Records Public in SC?
- Public Access to Records: In South Carolina, most criminal and arrest records are publicly accessible under federal and state laws.
- Access Methods: The state offers easy access through various online databases managed by state and local governments, which help in finding individuals with criminal or arrest records.
- Finding Current Inmates: Guides and tools are available online for checking daily arrests, specific charges, and current inmate status. Direct contact with relevant agencies is also possible.
- Restrictions and Exemptions: Despite the general availability, certain records may be restricted under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to protect ongoing investigations or constitutional rights.
- Separate Storage: Criminal and arrest records are stored and accessed differently. Arrest records are maintained by law enforcement, while criminal records are available through state agencies or courts.
Law on Accessing Criminal and Arrest Records: Your Rights
Here’s a quick guide on your rights and the rules for accessing criminal and arrest records:
- In South Carolina, you can access your arrest and criminal records due to both state and federal laws.
- You cannot use these records for illegal activities, such as blackmail or coercion.
- Professional background checks are common but must follow specific guidelines from the EEOC and FCRA.
- If eligible, you can request an expungement of your records to potentially clear your history for things like job applications.
- To find arrest records in South Carolina, use the county jail or sheriff’s inmate lookup tools.
- For criminal records, check through the judicial branch’s county court case search or the Department of Corrections offender search.
Restrictions on Criminal and Arrest Record Access in SC
Overview of Criminal Record Accessibility in South Carolina:
- South Carolina’s legislation, alongside federal and state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulations, restricts the public availability of certain criminal records.
- Restricted records include those related to juvenile offenses as well as records that have been either sealed or expunged by the court.
- Sealed or expunged records are treated as if they do not exist, making them inaccessible through public records searches.
- The article wraps up with an analysis of the process involved in expunging a criminal record.
How to Access Criminal Records in SC
Law enforcement and jails manage arrest records, while courts or the South Carolina Department of Corrections typically provide access to criminal records.
If you’re looking into someone’s criminal history, you might also consider reaching out to the Court of Clerks or using a paid service for background checks. However, here are some free ways to start searching for criminal records in South Carolina:
- County Courts: You can contact or visit the courthouses in any county (you’ll find the addresses further below). Ask them how you can get access to any specific criminal records they have. Each county court in South Carolina also provides its own online tool for searching criminal records.
- South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search: The Judicial Branch of South Carolina offers a free online service where you can search criminal case records for every county.
- The South Carolina Department of Corrections allows you to look up criminal records for people currently or previously incarcerated in the state.
Guide to Obtaining a Copy of Criminal Records in SC
In South Carolina, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) handles criminal history checks. You can apply online or mail a Criminal Records Check Form with a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
SLED Records Department PO Box 21398 Columbia, SC 29221
There is a $25 non-refundable fee for each request. Make sure you provide the person’s full name and exact date of birth to avoid any mistakes and ensure you receive the correct records.
Local Requests For local requests, contact the specific county courthouse or law enforcement agency to learn their procedure for obtaining criminal records.
Consent Requirements If you need records for employment or housing purposes, you must first obtain the person’s consent. This is a legal requirement when you’re checking someone’s background.
Probation and Parole Searches South Carolina offers a probation search tool through the Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services. You can use it to find detailed supervision records by searching with:
- First and last name
- State Identification Number (SID)
- First or last name with year of birth
- County and SID, or name
This tool provides:
- SID
- Full name
- Age
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race
- Main offense
- Sex Offender Registry status
For more information, you can contact the Department at 803-734-9220.
Federal Inmates The Federal Bureau of Prisons provides a free tool to check the incarceration status of individuals in federal prison, which can indicate if they are under parole supervision.
Sex Offender Registry To find sex offenders, use the U.S. Department of Justice National Sex Offender registry by searching with a name or location. This service is free.
These tools and processes will help you access the criminal records you need in South Carolina.
Free Lookup: How to Find Out if Someone Is Arrested & Taken to a SC Jail
- South Carolina offers several straightforward methods to check for recent arrests at no cost.
- Your search starting point depends on the arresting agency (like the police department) and where the person is held (like county jail or state prison).
- Begin by collecting details about the individual you’re looking for.
- Having more information improves your chances of a successful search.
- To find out why someone was arrested, usually just the person’s first and last name will suffice, unless it’s a very common name.
- If you don’t know their name, you can still search using other descriptive details.
- Some local agencies provide a jail roster for manual searches, which is more time-consuming but thorough.
- If your initial online search fails, contact the law enforcement agency or jail directly for the arrest record—they should have a procedure to help you.
How to Find South Carolina Arrest Records and Mugshots
- Search for South Carolina Arrest Records & Mugshots: Check county sheriff’s inmate rosters to find if someone has been arrested.
- Understand County Differences: Each county operates independently with variations in the information available on their arrest logs.
- Know the County: If unsure of the arrest location, you might need to search multiple counties.
- Use Inmate Locator Tools: Most counties provide tools to search by name, and sometimes by date of birth, sex, or race, to refine results.
- Access Arrest Information: Online directories will list general information such as arrest details, current jail location, bail amount (if applicable), and specific charges.
How To Check For Active Warrants in South Carolina
- State-Level Warrant Checks: South Carolina does not offer a centralized database for checking active state warrants.
- County-Specific Searches: Certain counties like Sumter and Charleston provide online tools for checking local warrants.
- Horry County Guide: There are tutorials available, such as the one for Horry County, that detail how to access warrant information.
- Charleston County Resources: Charleston County also offers guidance on how to retrieve records for individuals who are wanted.
- SLED Resources: The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) offers links to the most wanted lists of various counties.
- Federal Warrants: Issued by the U.S. Marshals, these are not searchable by the public.
- Warrant Information System (WIN): Accessible only to law enforcement and authorized professionals for checking federal warrant status.
Easily Search Criminal Records Online in South Carolina
South Carolina provides a free, user-friendly online tool for searching criminal records through its Judicial Branch. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to the Website: Visit the South Carolina Judicial Branch official website and find the section for the criminal records search tool.
- Select a County: The tool lets you search records from all counties in South Carolina. Simply choose the county you’re interested in.
- No Need to Sign Up: You can use this tool without registering or logging in, which makes your search quicker and easier.
- Enter Search Details: You can refine your search with various criteria like:
- Case number
- Court name
- Individual’s name
- Type of legal action
- Indictment number
- Date range for actions such as arrest or case filings
- Review Initial Results: The first page of results will show basic information like the individual’s name, case number, the date filed, current status, outcome date, type of case, and the court involved.
- Get Detailed Information: When you click on a specific case, you’ll see more detailed data including dates of events or hearings, charges, sentencing, and personal details like race, sex, and date of birth.
- Explore Events and Hearings: For a fuller understanding of the case, you can look through all related events and hearings and their results.
This guide makes it simple to access and understand legal records from anywhere in South Carolina.
Access Criminal Records through the Department of Corrections (SCDOC)
If you’re looking for details on current inmates, the SCDOC has a public search tool available. Simply enter a person’s name, SCDOC ID, or State Identification Number into their search tool, which also supports phonetic searches.
The SCDOC database provides detailed information on incarcerated individuals, such as:
- Full name and gender
- Mugshot with the date it was taken
- Age and date of birth
- Citizenship and race
- Physical characteristics (height, hair color, weight, eye color)
- Admission date and projected release date from the institution
- Disciplinary actions and current status (like incarcerated, on probation, or parole)
- Current and previous places of incarceration
- Current offenses, including the type and length of sentence, county of conviction, start date, indictment number, and status
This tool is a valuable resource for obtaining thorough information about inmates in South Carolina’s correctional facilities.
Understanding Background Checks in South Carolina
Background checks are commonly needed for various reasons, such as securing a rental, buying a firearm, adopting a child, or for certain jobs. These checks help confirm a person’s provided information and identify any potential issues in their background.
In South Carolina, you can do a personal background check using free tools to access arrest and criminal records. For official checks, you can request a criminal history record from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
If you need a more detailed check, you can get an Identity History Summary Check from the FBI for $18. This can be done online, by mail, or through an FBI-approved channeler, with results typically available in 3-5 days.
How to Use the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry
The South Carolina Sex Offender Registry allows you to search for registered sex offenders. You can search by name or location. When searching by location, you can specify how far from an address you want to look.
When you select an individual on the registry, you will see details such as:
- Full name and any aliases
- Mugshot
- Gender and race
- Birth date
- Addresses (home, work, school)
- Physical characteristics (height, weight, hair and eye color)
- Identifying marks like scars or tattoos
- Criminal offenses, including conviction details
- Vehicle details (make, model, color, license plate)
Additionally, you can use the national registry managed by the U.S. Department of Justice, which includes offenders nationwide. This registry only lists individuals convicted of sexual offenses.
Finding People in South Carolina State Prisons or Federal Penitentiaries
To find someone in a South Carolina state prison, use the SC DOC Offender Search tool. You can search by the person’s name or their ID number. This tool will give you detailed information like where the inmate is currently held.
For locating someone in a federal prison, go to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. Their inmate locator needs information like race, age, gender, or the inmate’s number to help you find the person you are looking for.
How to Contact Someone in a South Carolina Jail and Arrange Their Bail
If you need to get in touch with someone in a South Carolina jail and help them get out on bail, here are the simple steps to follow:
- Find the Jail: Start by figuring out where the person is being held. You can look up their location using online arrest records or through other available resources. This information can help you pinpoint the right jail.
- Reach Out to the Jail or Sheriff: Once you know where they are, contact the jail or the local sheriff’s office. They will explain how you can talk to the person and what you need to do to start the bail process. Make sure you know the rules for when you can visit or call.
- Learn About the Bail Process: In South Carolina, there are mainly two types of bail: cash bail for serious charges, which requires paying the full amount, and surety bail, where you can work with a bondsman and might need to offer something valuable as collateral. The jail or sheriff will give you all the details you need.
- For State Prisoners: If the person is in a state prison, contact the South Carolina Department of Corrections for guidance on how to communicate with them. To make phone calls, you’ll need to set up an account with the Global Tel*Link Corporation, which charges 5.5 cents per minute for calls within the U.S.
Following these steps will help you navigate the process smoothly.
How to Clear Your Criminal Record in South Carolina
To clear your criminal record in South Carolina, you must obtain a court order called an “Order for Destruction of Arrest Records. This order will completely remove an offense or arrest from your record. Here’s what you need to know:
- Where to Apply: You must file your expungement application in the county where the arrest happened.
When to Apply: The best time to apply depends on how your case was resolved. You can apply immediately if the court dismissed your case, chose not to prosecute, or reached a similar outcome. - Time it Takes: Clearing your record takes time—usually up to six months.
- Cost: You’ll need to pay at least $250 to clear a conviction. There might be extra charges for verification and filing, depending on the offense.
- Limits: Not all crimes can be cleared. Violent crimes and certain traffic offenses, for example, cannot be expunged.
Remember: Even after clearing a record, some private groups might still retain the old information.. You’ll need to contact them directly to make sure they update your record.
Comparing Criminal and Arrest Records in South Carolina
Criminal and arrest records share some information but differ in details and timing.
Arrest records are created when someone is arrested or charged and are available right away. They include:
- Name, sex, date of birth
- Physical description (hair color, eye color, height, weight)
- Arrest date, current address
- Charges, arresting agency
- Case number, outcome, sentence details
- Bail amount
Criminal records, established later, track the person’s case from arrest through the final court hearing. They show:
- State Identification Number
- Name, age, ethnicity/race, sex
- Physical description
- Birthdate, admission date
- Current prison
- Court docket number, booking date
- All offenses, minimum and maximum sentences
- Incarceration history, mugshot, aliases
South Carolina criminal records detail every stage of a case, including sentence duration, current prison status, and whether the individual is under supervision, like probation or parole.
Common FAQs
What is sc-arrests.us?
sc-arrests.us provides detailed information on South Carolina arrests, offering a user-friendly interface to access criminal records and mugshots.
How do I search for criminal records?
Enter a name or other details in the search bar on our homepage to find arrest records in South Carolina.
What information can I find?
Search results may include mugshots, charges, arrest dates, and other related information, presenting a complete criminal history from public records.
Do I need to register?
No registration is required to access basic information. Additional features may require sign-up, which we’ll guide you through if necessary.
How can I contact the Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services?
Visit their official website for contact details, including phone numbers and email addresses for further assistance.
Personal Experince
In South Carolina, criminal and arrest records are generally public and can be found online via state and local databases. These records, used for background checks and legal inquiries, detail arrests, charges, and inmate information but exclude sensitive data protected by the Freedom of Information Act. Law enforcement agencies hold arrest records, while criminal records are accessible through state or court agencies. Individuals can access their records and may seek expungement of eligible entries. Records of juvenile, sealed, or expunged cases are not publicly accessible.