Access free South Carolina criminal records today through official channels and learn more about someone’s past or current situation.
South Carolina arrest records and criminal proceedings are readily accessible thanks to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and South Carolina’s own Freedom of Information Act, but if you don’t know what to look for or where to look, they can be difficult to find.1, 2
Whether you’re looking for arrests, mugshots, criminal history or background check reports, probation or parole information, warrant status, prisoner records, or nearby sex offenders, this guide provides the necessary resources to find the information sought.
Written or authored by Attorney Robert Bailey Jr, who possesses a Juris Doctorate in Law from Widener University School of Law and is a Licensed Attorney.
Are Criminal Records & Arrest Records Public Information in South Carolina?
Yes, as a result of federal and state law, the public is provided access to most criminal and arrest records in South Carolina. However, it can be difficult to find them if you do not know where to look.
South Carolina provides some straightforward ways to find someone’s criminal record. Certain government agencies (both state and local) have online search databases that can serve as a people finder for individuals with a criminal or arrest record in South Carolina.
If you are trying to find out if someone is in jail, this article will instruct you on how to use these search tools to check for daily arrests, charges, and details on their current status. If you need to, you can also reach out to these state and local agencies directly by phone or in person.
The South Carolina government is authorized to host a public repository containing detailed arrest and criminal records through both federal and state FOIA laws. However, both federal and state laws have exemptions on what type of information and under what circumstances these records can be released.
These restrictions are seen most often when releasing those records would cause certain types of negative repercussions. These could be documents that may have an impact on an ongoing law enforcement investigation or a direct impact on an individual’s constitutionally protected rights (e.g., their right to have a fair trial). Federal and South Carolina laws follow similar rules for exemptions to the availability of criminal and arrest records.
It is important to note that while they may seem similar, criminal and arrest records are held by different custodians. As a result, you have to take different steps to access these unique records. To obtain arrest records, you will have to search with law enforcement agencies which are linked to below.
On the other hand, criminal records may be accessed through various state agencies and/or courts. And for other types of publicly available information such as marital records, take a look at our South Carolina public records search guide.
There are further restrictions on when criminal and arrest records are available. In addition to federal and state FOIA laws, South Carolina prohibits access to specific criminal records. Two notable examples are juvenile records and records that have been sealed or expunged.3, 4
These records are also not available to be searched for publicly.
Interestingly, when records are sealed or expunged, they are considered to no longer exist. More on expunging a criminal record will be discussed towards the end of this article.
Criminal Records vs Arrest Records in South Carolina & What’s Shown on Each
While there is similar information contained in criminal and arrest records, there are also some distinctions as to the type of information they provide.
Arrest records are established at the time someone is arrested or charged with a crime(s) and are usually available immediately.
Criminal records are established at a later date. If an individual has their charges dropped, or they are not prosecuted for other reasons, this will be stated on their arrest report. South Carolina arrest records contain the following information:
- Name
- Sex
- Date of Birth
- Descriptive Characteristics (hair, eyes, height, weight)
- Arrest date
- Current Address
- Charges
- Arresting Agency
- Case Number
- Case Disposition
- Sentence length and date sentence starts
- Bail
South Carolina criminal records provide information on an individual’s case. This will start from their initial arrest and include the last court hearing or disposition of the case.
When they are convicted and sentenced, you can also find information on their sentence length, where they are currently incarcerated, or if they are currently released under supervision (e.g., probation or parole).
Criminal records contain the following information:
- State Identification Number
- Name
- Age
- Ethnicity/Race
- Sex
- Descriptive Characteristics (hair, eyes, height, weight)
- Birth Date
- Admission Date
- Current Facility
- Docket Number
- Booked Date
- All Offenses
- Minimum Sentence
- Maximum sentence
- Individual’s history of incarceration
- Mugshot
- Alias(es)
How To Check If Someone Was Arrested & Taken to a South Carolina Jail for Free
As seen below, South Carolina provides a couple of easy ways to search for recent arrests for free.
However, determining where to start searching depends on which agency made the arrest (e.g., police department) and where someone is incarcerated (e.g., county jail, state prison, etc.). Start by gathering information on the person you are trying to search for in jail.
The more information you have, the higher the likelihood of a successful search.
When trying to find out why someone was arrested, the individual’s first and last name (unless a very common name) should be enough information to find South Carolina arrest records on a particular individual. If you do not have their name, you may still be able to find the information you are looking for.
Certain search engines will allow you to enter other descriptive information when performing your search. Some local agencies provide a jail roster that you can search for manually. While this may be a time-consuming process, it allows you to conduct a thorough search for an individual’s arrest record.
If you searched with the information you have but cannot find the arrest record online, the law enforcement agency or jail should have a process for providing an arrest record.
Search County Sheriff’s Inmate Rosters to Find South Carolina Arrest Records & Mugshots
When searching to find out if someone was arrested in a particular county, you should be cognizant of the fact that each county operates independently, resulting in differences regarding the specific type of information provided on their arrest logs.
When performing your search, you may have to check multiple counties unless you already know the specific county the arrest took place.
For each county, there may be a different process or certain nuances for obtaining an arrest record. Some counties have their own inmate locator tool with a search engine where you can search for individuals by first or last name. Some will allow you to enter additional information, such as date of birth, sex, or race to help narrow down your results.
After entering this information, the online directory will populate general information on the individual, including any arrests or charges brought against them. Additional details will be provided regarding where they are currently jailed, if bail is available (including the amount), and their specific charges.
While some counties have free online search tools, some counties only provide a jail roster. Others do not provide any online access to their arrest records. Below is every county in South Carolina along with their phone number, whether or not they show mugshots and a link to their site if they have an inmate lookup tool or jail roster:
If you still cannot find the arrest record you are looking for, try contacting South Carolina’s Department of Corrections (DOC) to see if they’ve been moved to a state prison or searched with their inmate locator tool, as detailed below.5
How To Get in Touch With a Person in a South Carolina Jail & Bail Them Out
The first step is to figure out what jail the individual is located in.
A lot of times, this can be found by conducting an arrest or criminal record search using the table above or through the agencies below. Once you know which jail they are in, start by contacting the jail or the local sheriff in that county.
They should provide you with the specific steps for how to both contact someone incarcerated in their jail and how to bail them out. Jails usually have specific communication policies, including specific visitation and phone hours.
South Carolina provides for bail proceedings to determine how an individual’s bail should be set.6 South Carolina has two different types of bail that require payment before an individual can be released from jail. The first, cash bail, is used for more serious offenses and usually requires an individual to pay the full amount of the bail set.
The second, surety bail, allows someone to pay a fee to a bondsman who will pay the bail. Often, a bondsman will require some form of collateral in case the individual does not appear in court as they agreed.
When it comes to state prisoners, The South Carolina Department of Corrections has general information on how to contact an inmate.7 In order to make phone calls to an inmate, you must set up an account with Global Tel*Link Corporation. The current rate for phone calls within the United States is 5.5 cents per minute.
How To Look Up & View South Carolina Criminal Records
While law enforcement agencies and jails manage arrest records, criminal records are usually located in courts or with South Carolina’s Department of Corrections.
There are other options you may need to consider when searching criminal records, such as contacting the Court of Clerks or using a paid background check service. Start by using the following free options below for searching criminal records in South Carolina:
- County Courts – For all county courts, one option is to call or visit their courthouse (addresses are located in the next section below) and inquire as to the method for obtaining any specific criminal records in their possession. Each South Carolina county court also has its own individual online search tool for criminal records.
- South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search – SC’s Judicial Branch provides a link to free online criminal case records searches for every county in South Carolina.8
- South Carolina Department of Corrections – here, you can conduct a search of criminal records for individuals incarcerated in South Carolina.9
Utilize the County Courts to Conduct a Criminal Record Search in South Carolina
Once you know which county a person was arrested or incarcerated in, you can navigate to the county courthouse’s website and use their online search tool. You can also contact them directly to request criminal records if you do not find the information you are looking for online.
Another option is to visit the county courthouse in person to request criminal records. If you are unsure where to go, you can reach out to the County’s Clerk of Court (or related office) to determine how to access South Carolina criminal records.
When performing a search for criminal records at a county courthouse, make sure you understand that, from one county to another, there may be different processes and ways to gain access to criminal records. Fortunately, all of the county courthouses (district courts) in South Carolina have an online search tool.
When searching for criminal records with a particular county courthouse, you have the choice to either search online or go in person.
South Carolina’s free online search that checks every county allows you to search by court, case number, name, date, and several other options to help narrow down your results.
The table below contains all county courthouses in South Carolina linked with their online search tool and address if you decide to search for criminal records in person:
| County Courts | County Courthouse Address |
| Abbeville County | 102 Court Square, Room 103, Abbeville, SC 29620 |
| Aiken County | 109 Park Avenue, Aiken, SC 29801 |
| Allendale County | Junction of Memorial Drive and Hwy 278, Allendale, SC 29810 |
| Anderson County | 100 South Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624 |
| Bamberg County | 2959 Main Highway, Bamberg, SC 29003 |
| Barnwell County | 141 Main Street, Barnwell, SC29812 |
| Beaufort County | 102 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29901 |
| Berkeley County | 300-B California Avenue, Moncks Corner, SC 29461 |
| Calhoun County | 902 South F.R. Huff Drive, St. Matthews, SC 29135 |
| Charleston County | 100 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401 |
| Cherokee County | 125 East Floyd Baker Blvd, Gaffney, SC 29340 |
| Chester County | 126 Wylie Street, Chester, SC 29706 |
| Chesterfield County | 200 West Main Street, Chesterfield, SC 29709 |
| Clarendon County | 102 South Mill Street, Manning, SC 29102 |
| Colleton County | 101 Hampton Street, Walterboro, SC 29488 |
| Darlington County | 1 Public Square #210, Darlington, SC 29532 |
| Dillon County | 301 West Main Street, Dillon, SC 29536 |
| Dorchester County | 212 Deming Way, Summerville, SC 29483 |
| Edgefield County | 129 Courthouse Square, Edgefield, SC 29824 |
| Fairfield County | 115A Congress Street, Winnsboro, SC 29180 |
| Florence County | Rm 903 City-Cty Complex Bldg, Florence, SC 29501 |
| Georgetown County | 401 Cleland Street, Georgetown, SC 29442 |
| Greenville County | 350 Halton Rd., Greenville, SC 29607 |
| Greenwood County | 528 Monument Street, Room 114, Greenwood, SC 29646 |
| Hampton County | 1 Elm Street, Courthouse Square, Hampton, SC 29924 |
| Horry County | 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, SC 29526 |
| Jasper County | 265 Russell Street, Ridgeland, SC 29936 |
| Kershaw County | 1121 Broad Street, Room 213, Camden, SC 29020 |
| Lancaster County | 104 N. Main Street, Lancaster, SC 29720 |
| Laurens County | 100 Hillcrest Square, Suite B, Laurens, SC 29360 |
| Lee County | 123 South Main Street, Bishopville, SC 29010 |
| Lexington County | 205 East Main Street, Lexington, SC 29072 |
| Marion County | 2515 East Highway 76, Marion, SC 29571 |
| Marlboro County | 105 Main Street, Bennettsville, SC 29512 |
| McCormick County | 133 South Mine Street, Room 102, McCormick, SC 29835 |
| Newberry County | 1226 College Street, Newberry, SC 29108 |
| Oconee County | 205 West Main Street, Walhalla, SC 29691 |
| Orangeburg County | 1406 Amelia Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115 |
| Pickens County | 214 East Main Street, Pickens, SC 29671 |
| Richland County | 1701 Main Street, 1st Floor West Wing, Columbia, SC 29201 |
| Saluda County | 100 East Church Street, Suite 6, Saluda, SC 29138 |
| Spartanburg County | 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302 |
| Sumter County | 215 North Harvin Street, Sumter, SC 29150 |
| Union County | 322 East Main Street, Union, SC 29379 |
| Williamsburg County | 147 West Main Street, Kingstree, SC 29556 |
| York County | 1555 West Main Street, Rock Hill, SC 29732 |
If you cannot find the criminal record you are looking for online, the next step you should take to find criminal records is to call or visit the county courthouse.
Obtain Criminal Records Through the County Clerk of Courts in South Carolina
If the county courthouse doesn’t have the records you’re seeking or you are unsure who to speak with, try requesting to speak with the County Courthouse’s Clerk of Courts.
While they are not responsible for providing criminal records, they may be able to point you in the right direction for finding available criminal records. Here is the contact information for every county’s Clerk of Court.
| County Clerk of Court for Criminal Record Searches | Courthouse Address | Phone Number |
| Abbeville County | PO Box 99 Abbeville, SC 29620-0099 |
864-366-5312 |
| Aiken County | PO Box 583 Aiken, SC 29802 |
803-642-7856 |
| Allendale County | PO Box 126 Allendale, SC 29810-0126 |
803-584-2737 |
| Anderson County | Post Office Box 8002 Anderson, SC 29622 |
864-260-4053 |
| Bamberg County | PO Drawer 150 Bamberg, SC 29003-0150 |
803-245-3025 |
| Barnwell County | PO Box 723 Barnwell, SC 29812-0723 |
803-541-1020 |
| Beaufort County | PO Box 1128 Beaufort, SC 29901-1128 |
843-255-5050 |
| Berkeley County | PO Box 219 Moncks Corner, SC 29461 |
843-719-4400 |
| Calhoun County | PO Box 709 St Matthews, SC 29135-0709 |
803-874-3524 |
| Charleston County | 100 Broad St Ste 106 Charleston, SC 29401-2210 |
843-958-5000 |
| Cherokee County | PO Drawer 2289 Gaffney, SC 29342-2289 |
864-487-2571 |
| Chester County | PO Drawer 580 Chester, SC 29706-0580 |
803-385-2605 |
| Chesterfield County | PO Box 529 Chesterfield, SC 29709-0529 |
843-623-2574 |
| Clarendon County | PO Box 136 Manning, SC 29102-0136 |
803-435-4443 |
| Colleton County | PO Box 620 Walterboro, SC 29488-0028 |
843-549-5791 |
| Darlington County | 1 Public Square Room 404 Darlington, SC 29532-3213 |
843-398-4330 |
| Dillon County | PO Box 1220 Dillon, SC 29536-1220 |
843-774-1425 |
| Dorchester County | 5200 E Jim Bilton Blvd St George, SC 29477-8020 |
843-563-0160 |
| Edgefield County | PO Box 34 Edgefield, SC 29824 |
803-637-4080 |
| Fairfield County | PO Drawer 299 Winnsboro, SC 29180-0299 |
803-712-6526 |
| Florence County | 181 N. Irby Street MSC-E Florence, SC 29501 |
843-665-3031 |
| Georgetown County | PO Box 479 Georgetown, SC 29442-0479 |
843-545-3215 |
| Greenville County | 305 E North St Greenville, SC 29601-2121 |
864-467-8551 |
| Greenwood County | 528 Monument Street Rm #114 Greenwood, SC 29646 |
864-942-8546 |
| Hampton County | PO Box 7 Hampton, SC 29924-0007 |
803-914-2250 |
| Horry County | PO Box 677 Conway, SC 29528-0677 |
843-915-5080 |
| Jasper County | PO Box 248 Ridgeland, SC 29936-0248 |
843-726-7710 |
| Kershaw County | PO Box 1557 Camden, SC 29021-8557 |
803-425-7223 |
| Lancaster County | PO Box 1809 Lancaster, SC 29721-1809 |
803-285-1581 |
| Laurens County | PO Box 287 Laurens, SC 29360-0287 |
864-984-3538 |
| Lee County | PO Box 387 Bishopville, SC 29010-0387 |
803-484-5341 |
| Lexington County | 205 East Main Street Suite 128 Lexington, SC 29072 |
803-785-8212 |
| Marion County | PO Box 295 Marion , SC 29571 |
843-423-8240 |
| Marlboro County | PO Drawer 996 Bennettsville, SC 29512-0996 |
843-479-5616 |
| McCormick County | 133 S Mine St Suite 102 McCormick, SC 29835-8357 |
864- 852-2195 |
| Newberry County | PO Drawer 10 Newberry, SC 29108 |
803-321-2110 |
| Oconee County | PO Box 678 Walhalla, SC 29691-0678 |
864-916-7306 |
| Orangeburg County | PO Box 9000 Orangeburg, SC 29115-9000 |
803-533-6243 |
| Pickens County | PO Box 215 Pickens, SC 29671-0215 |
864-898-5857 |
| Richland County | PO Box 2766 Columbia, SC 29202-2766 |
803-576-1950 |
| Saluda County | 100 Church Street, Suite 6 Saluda Courthouse Saluda, SC 29138 |
864-445-4500 |
| Spartanburg County | PO Box 3483 Spartanburg, SC 29304-3483 |
864-596-3428 |
| Sumter County | 215 North Harvin Street Sumter, SC 29150 |
803-436-2227 |
| Union County | PO Box 703 Union, SC 29379 |
864-429-1630 |
| Williamsburg County | 125 West Main Street Kingstree, SC 29556 |
843-355-9321 |
| York County | PO Box 649 York, SC 29745-0649 |
803-684-0649 |
Perform a Criminal Record Search With South Carolina’s Judicial Branch Case Records Search
South Carolina provides a central location where you can access a free online search tool for every county.
You do not need to register or sign in to use these search tools. Simply click on the county you want to perform a search for criminal records.
You can search criminal records using any of the following information:
- Case number
- Court
- Name
- Action type
- Indictment number
- Beginning and end date from (1) when the action was filed; (2) arrested; (3) case filed; (4) disposed; or (5) judgment entered
The initial search page will provide you with the following information: (1) name, (2)case number, (3) filed date, (4) case status, (5) disposition date, (6) type of case, and (7) court agency. Once you select a case, you can get detailed information about the case and all events/hearings that have taken place and their result. In addition, you can see the arrest date, charges, sentencing date, address, and descriptive information (race, sex, date of birth) about the individual.
Find Criminal Records via the South Carolina State Department of Corrections (SCDOC)
The South Carolina DOC provides a public records repository to find criminal records information for current inmates.
You can use their search tool by providing an individual’s name, South Carolina Department of Corrections ID, or State Identification Number. The search tool also has a unique feature to search by phonetic match as well.
This tool from South Carolina’s Department of Corrections provides the following information on incarcerated individuals:
- Offender name
- Gender
- Mugshot (including the date the picture was taken)
- Age
- Date of Birth
- Citizenship
- Race
- Height
- Hair
- Weight
- Eyes
- Institution Admission Date
- Projected Release Date
- State Identification Number
- Disciplinary sanctions
- Status (e.g., incarcerated, probation, parole)
- Current and past incarceration locations
- Current Offenses (including sentence type, length, county, start date, indictment number, and status)
How To Acquire a Copy of Criminal Records in South Carolina
In South Carolina, you can request a criminal history record check from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).10
There are multiple ways you can make a request, but regardless of which method you choose, there is a $25.00 non-refundable fee.11 In order to receive your criminal record, you can submit your request online or mail a Criminal Records Check Form with a self-addressed stamped envelope to the following address:
SLED Records Department
PO Box 21398
Columbia, South Carolina 29221
When requesting criminal records (e.g., an individual’s rap sheet) from SLED, you must have the individual’s exact birth date and name; otherwise, you will risk paying a fee and not receiving a copy of the criminal records you wanted.
If you are making your request at the county level, you will have to contact the courthouse or law enforcement agency to figure out their process for requesting a copy of a criminal record.
Both at the state and local level, there are specific rules when requesting the criminal records of another person.
For instance, if you are making this request for professional reasons, you are required by law to receive the person’s consent. Whether you’re an employer looking to hire a new employee or a landlord screening a prospective tenant, make sure you first obtain consent before requesting their South Carolina criminal records.
How To Search for People on Probation or Parole in South Carolina
Generally, when someone is on parole or probation, that means they are no longer incarcerated for the crime they committed. Probation is reserved for individuals that were convicted of either a misdemeanor or felony and are now released but still under supervision.
Individuals on parole were convicted of a serious crime, such as a felony, and were sentenced to South Carolina state prison and have now been released under certain conditions by the South Carolina parole board.
The following image displays the total number of probationers and parolees in South Carolina and compares it with other states across the United States. Additionally, it showcases the ethnicities of individuals on community supervision in South Carolina, including probation and parole.
Certain states, like South Carolina, provide a probation or parolee database to check for individuals on probation or parole. South Carolina’s Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services has a probation search that provides detailed information specifically on individuals on probation or parole.12
South Carolina’s probation search feature allows you to search for individuals in South Carolina in the following ways:
- First and last name
- State Identification Number (SID)
- First or last name and year of birth
- County and SID, first name or last name13
Once you conduct a successful search, you can find their supervision type, as well as the beginning and end date for their supervision. In addition, this search tool will provide the following information:
- SID
- Name
- Age
- Date of birth
- Gender;
- Race
- Main offense
- Whether or not they are on South Carolina’s Sex Offender Registry.
For any further questions, you can contact the Department of Probation, Prole, and Pardon services directly at 803-734-9220.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons provides a free search tool to conduct a search for people that are serving time in federal prison.14, 15
While this is not a specific parole search, the database will show if an inmate was recently released. While not definitive, if an inmate was recently released, there is a high likelihood the individual is currently on parole.
For individuals convicted of sexual crimes you can get useful information on an individual’s probation/parole status by searching the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) National Sex Offender registry.16
This search tool allows you to look for convicted sex offenders by name or location. While neither of these are probation/parole searches, they can be used to find this information for free.
How To Expunge or Seal a Criminal Record in SC (South Carolina)
In South Carolina when you have your record expunged it means that the court issued an order to completely remove a certain offense or arrest from your criminal record.17
This is officially called an Order for Destruction of Arrest Records.18 Here are some important facts if you are trying to expunge your criminal record in South Carolina:
- Submit your application for expungement in the county where South Carolina arrest record(s) originated.
- There are different timeframes for when you can apply unless it is for a charge that was dismissed, not prosecuted or had a similar disposition. For those cases you can apply immediately.
- An expungement is not a quick process. Expect for it to take up to 6 months for your expungement to be completed.
- If you are seeking expungement for a crime you were convicted of, expect to pay, at a minimum, the $250 administrative fee. Depending on the offense, there may also be a verification and/or filing fee.
- Convictions for violent crimes and certain traffic violations cannot be expunged.
It’s important to remember that an expungement means that government agencies will remove these criminal records. Non-government agencies may still have your criminal record and you may have to contact them directly to update them regarding your expungement.
How To See If Someone Is in a South Carolina State Prison or Federal Penitentiary
For South Carolina State prison, start by using the SC DOC Offender Search. Utilize this search to find someone you are looking for in any state prison throughout South Carolina.
You can search by either name or identification number (i.e., South Carolina Department of Corrections ID and State Identification Number). When you find the individual you are looking for, among other information, it will tell you the inmate’s current location.
In addition, the SC Department of Corrections also provides uniquely specific information such as the dorm, room and bunk of the inmate.
You will have to visit the Federal Bureau of Prison (BOP) to locate individuals in federal prison. Here you can search by inmate name to find their location. If needed, you can also further filter your results by providing the persons:
- Race
- Age
- Sex
- Assigned inmate number (e.g., FBI number, BOP Register Number)
How To See If Someone Has a Warrant Out for Their Arrest in South Carolina
South Carolina does not provide a single warrant list database for individuals with active warrants in its state. However, some counties have a search tool to allow you to check if someone has a warrant out for their arrest. Sumter county and Charleston County are two examples of where you can do an online warrant search in a specific county.19
Examples of how best to find warrant information at can be found through our resource on how to retrieve Charleston County public information, which includes not only contact information and online search tools for city and county agencies that host warrant details, but also gives a comprehensive overview of how to find all Charleston County public records on anyone–such as probation, arrest, criminal, court documents, and more.
In addition, a local wanted persons list is provided by SLED with links to certain individual counties’ most wanted lists.20
The U.S. Marshall is responsible for issuing federal warrants. Unfortunately, you cannot search for federal warrants publicly.
Federal warrant information can be found through the Warrant Information System (WIN), but only for law enforcement individuals and other individuals that need the information to conduct their professional duties.
An Overview of Background Checks in SC (South Carolina)
Background checks are used every day for both professional and personal reasons. Many people need a background check to be accepted as a tenant, to purchase a firearm, or when applying to adopt a child. You may also need one for employment reasons.
This may include a request from an employer or, depending on your profession, to comply with certain federal or state laws.
A person requests a professional background check to verify information that someone has provided and to make sure there are not any red flags in a person’s background. There are federal and state regulations when someone wants to use a professional background check, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the protections afforded by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commision.21, 22
For instance, the Fair Credit Reporting Act prohibits discrimination and requires an individual to obtain consent before they can make a request for a background check.
In South Carolina, an individual can conduct their own personal background check using the free search tools described earlier to find arrest and criminal records. You can make a formal request for a South Carolina background check by requesting a criminal history record check from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
If you need a more expansive background check, you can request an Identity History Summary Check from the FBI.23 It is as simple as paying the $18 fee and submitting your request online. You can also requisition your national background check by mail or through an FBI-approved channeler.
The quickest method is online, and you can receive a copy of your background check between 3-5 days.
Note: Unlike professional background checks, Personal background checks do not have many restrictions. The only caveat is that the information cannot be used to commit a crime.
How To Navigate & Search the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry
South Carolina Sex Offender records and information can be found on their Sex Offender Registry.24
Their sex offender search allows you to conduct either a name search or a geographic search. For geographic searches, you can filter your results based on the distance from the address.
Once you click on an individual, you can get the following information on South Carolina’s Sex Offender Registry:
- Name
- Mugshot
- Aliases
- Gender
- Race
- Date of birth
- Addresses (including primary, employer, school, and other addresses)
- Physical description (height, weight, hair color, eye color)
- Scars, marks, and tattoos
- Offenses (including conviction date, state, and statute)
- Vehicle information (make, model, color, and license plate number)
Another option is to check the national sex offender registry operated by the United States Department of Justice. This registry includes sex offenders throughout the United States.
Note: This registry is limited to searching people convicted of sexual crimes and is not a general felony registry.
Criminal Records & Arrest Records Laws About Criminal Records, Arrest Records & Your Rights
Both South Carolina and federal law give you the right to access arrest records and criminal records. While there are certain federal and state exemptions, the majority of these records are fairly accessible.
Also, remember there are rules for how you can use these records. Specifically, you cannot use these records to commit a crime. That means someone cannot use your criminal records to try to coerce or blackmail you.
There are also restrictions on professional background checks. While they are widely used on a regular basis, there are specific state rules and requirements provided by the EEOC and FCRA.
If you are worried about your criminal or arrest records, depending on the crime, you have the right to request an expungement. This may afford you a clean start and the ability to restrict others, such as future employers, from finding your criminal records.
In summary, the best way to access South Carolina arrest records is to use the county jail or sheriff’s inmate look-up tool or contact them if they do not have one.
For South Carolina criminal records, your best options are to either use the judicial branch’s county court case search tools or South Carolina’s Department of Corrections offender search.
References
1The Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552. (2022, January 21). Department of Justice. Retrieved May 3, 2023 <https://www.justice.gov/oip/freedom-information-act-5-usc-552>
2Freedom of Information Act. (2023). South Carolina Legislature. Retrieved May 21, 2023 <https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t30c004.php>
3Section 63-19-2030. (2023). South Carolina Legislature. Retrieved May 22, 2023 <https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t63c019.php>
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