Charleston County criminal cases run through the Ninth Judicial Circuit, and the Clerk of Court keeps the files at 100 Broad Street. Case numbers tie a defendant to charges, hearings, and a final order. The county has no separate criminal district court; the Circuit Court handles felonies, and magistrate courts handle lesser offenses. Records move from the arresting agency to the solicitor to the clerk.
This page shows how to search those files by name or case number, read a disposition, and order a certified copy. It explains what a judgment, a fine, and a sentencing order contain. It covers probation terms, missing cases, and the limits of an online index. A full case number shortens every request at the window. Confirm copy fees with the clerk before you pay.
How to Search Charleston County SC Criminal Court Records
The clerk’s public index, the county online services page, and the state court portal hold most criminal case data.
- County online services and court search: https://www.charlestoncounty.gov/online-services.php
- Search by defendant name, case number, or filing year.
- Case numbers begin with a year, a court code, and a sequence.
- Clerk of Court counter: 100 Broad Street, Suite 106.
- Certified copies require a written request and a fee.
- Public terminals at the courthouse are free to use.
Case Dispositions, Judgments & Sentencing
A disposition is the end of a case, and it carries more weight than an arrest entry. The clerk records a dismissal, a plea, a conviction after trial, or an acquittal. Each result brings its own paperwork: a judgment form, a fine schedule, or a sentencing order. Read the last document in the file. Earlier entries may show charges that a solicitor later dropped or merged.
| Office detail | Verified information |
|---|---|
| Location | Charleston County Clerk of Court, 100 Broad Street, Suite 106, Charleston, SC 29401-2258 |
| Contact Number | (843) 958-5000 |
| Office Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (excluding county holidays) |
| Official Website Search Portal | https://www.charlestoncounty.gov/online-services.php |
Begin with a case number when you have one. The number appears on a bond form, a bail receipt, or a letter from a solicitor. A name search works too, yet common surnames return many rows. Add a middle initial, a birth year, or a filing range. Write the case number and the defendant’s full name on the request slip. Staff at the counter pull the file by number.
Final Case Dispositions (Dismissals, Pleas, Convictions & Acquittals)
A dismissal ends a charge without a finding of guilt. A plea accepts a charge, often with a negotiated sentence. A conviction follows a trial and a guilty verdict. An acquittal means the state did not prove its case. Each label sits on a separate form in the file. Ask the clerk for the disposition sheet when a summary page is unclear. Read the signature line and the date.
Judgment Details, Fines & Court Costs
A judgment of conviction lists the offense, the statute, and the penalty. Fines go to the county or the state, and court costs cover filing and processing. A payment plan may appear as a separate order. Unpaid balances can lead to a license hold or a contempt hearing. Ask the clerk for a payment history before you assume a balance is wrong. Keep every receipt, and bring the case number when you ask.
Probation, Incarceration & Sentencing Orders
A sentencing order states prison time, probation, or a suspended term. Probation conditions may include reporting, treatment, and travel limits. The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services supervises adults on community release. A jail sentence runs through the county detention center or the state prison system. Ask the clerk which agency holds the supervision file. That office answers questions about compliance and violations. Bring the case number.
| Entry | What it records | Where it appears |
|---|---|---|
| Dismissal | Charge withdrawn or dropped | Disposition sheet |
| Guilty plea | Defendant accepts a charge | Plea transcript and order |
| Conviction | Guilty verdict after trial | Judgment form |
| Acquittal | Not guilty finding | Judgment form |
| Nolle prosequi | Prosecutor ends the charge | Docket entry |
Ask for the entry that matches your question. A dismissal and a nolle prosequi both end a charge, yet the paperwork differs. A plea carries a transcript, and a trial carries a verdict form. The docket shows the date each step happened. Read the docket first, then request the document named on the matching line. That order saves a second trip. Bring photo identification for the counter.
Obtaining Official Court Documents & Files
The clerk holds the official file for each case. A public terminal lets you read the docket at no cost, and a copy request turns a docket entry into paper. Some documents, such as a presentence report, stay off the public side. A judge can seal a file or limit who sees it. Bring a case number and photo identification to the records window on Broad Street.
Requesting Certified Copies from the County Clerk or District Clerk
South Carolina has no district clerk. The Clerk of Court for the Ninth Judicial Circuit fills that role and keeps criminal files for Charleston County. A certified copy carries a clerk’s signature and a seal, and it stands as proof for an employer or a licensing board. Ask for certification when you place the order. A plain copy costs less, yet many agencies reject it.
Copy Fees, In-Person Requests & Processing Times
Fees follow a state schedule, and the clerk can quote the amount for your pages. A request in person moves fastest. Mail or an online order adds handling time and a return envelope. Bring the case number, the document name, and photo identification. Ask whether the office can certify the copy on the same visit. Payment methods vary, so confirm cash, card, or check rules first.
| Document | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Arrest warrant or citation | The charge and the issuing officer |
| Indictment | Formal charge sent to the circuit court |
| Docket sheet | Every filing and hearing date |
| Plea transcript | Terms accepted at a plea hearing |
| Sentencing order | Prison time, probation, or fines |
Order the docket sheet first when you know little about a case. It lists every filing and points to the documents that matter. A warrant shows the original charge, and an indictment shows what a grand jury returned. The sentencing order closes the file. Ask for one document at a time and confirm the fee for each. A complete set can cost more than a single certified page.
Record Accuracy & Search Troubleshooting
A name that returns nothing may still have a case. Spelling, hyphenation, and maiden names cause most misses. Case numbers get typed with a wrong year or a missing digit. A newly filed case may sit in a queue before the index updates. Try a partial name, a wider date range, and the state portal. Call the clerk when a known case number fails. Keep a note of each attempt.
Verifying Defendant Identity & Matching Case Numbers
Two defendants can share a name and a birth year. A case number is the only sure link between a person and a file. Check the middle name, the date of birth, and the address on the charging document. A suffix such as Junior or the Third separates family members. Write the full case number, including the court code. Ask the clerk to confirm the match before you order copies.
Handling Recently Filed Cases & System Update Delays
A case filed this week may not appear in the public index. Clerks enter new filings in batches, and a holiday can push the queue back. A bond hearing often happens before the docket entry exists. Keep the arrest date and the agency report number. Call the clerk after five business days if the case still does not show. A paper filing at the window may confirm it sooner.
What to Do If a Charleston County Case Cannot Be Found
Start with the clerk’s office and give the name, the date, and any charge. Staff can search by defendant, by officer, or by filing date. A case may sit in a magistrate court, a municipal court, or another county. Ask which court has jurisdiction over the arrest location. Request a written statement if no record exists. That note helps an employer or a lawyer explain the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
These four questions come up at the records window and on the phone. Answers below reflect South Carolina procedure and the offices named on this page. A clerk can confirm a fee or a document name, and a lawyer can explain how a rule applies to one case. Rules and fees change. Call ahead before a trip to Broad Street. Bring a case number when you call.
Are all Charleston County criminal court records available online?
No. The public index lists most criminal cases, yet the full file stays on paper at the clerk’s office. Sealed matters, juvenile files, and some presentence reports never reach a public page. Older cases may exist only in a ledger or on microfilm. The online index shows docket entries and party names. Document images are often missing, so a copy request still goes through the clerk. Plan a counter visit for the rest.
What is the difference between County Court at Law and District Court records in Charleston County ?
South Carolina does not use those two court names. Charleston County criminal files come from the Circuit Court, which hears felonies and serious misdemeanors, and from magistrate and municipal courts, which hear lesser charges. The Clerk of Court keeps circuit files. A magistrate court keeps its own tickets and small cases. Ask which court handled the arrest before you request a record. The case number usually names the court.
How do I obtain certified record copies for employment or legal purposes?
Bring the case number and photo identification to the Clerk of Court at 100 Broad Street, Suite 106. Ask for a certified copy and state the reason, such as an employer request or a court filing. The clerk quotes a fee per page, and payment is due when you order. Some requests need a written form. Allow a few business days for a large file. Confirm the fee by phone at (843) 958-5000.
Who do I contact if a criminal court record contains inaccurate information?
Call the Clerk of Court at (843) 958-5000 and name the case number. Ask for the records supervisor and describe the error, such as a wrong charge, a missing dismissal, or a misspelled name. Bring a copy of the page and any order that supports your claim. The clerk can correct a data entry mistake. A disputed legal outcome needs a motion before a judge. Keep a note of the correction.