Search South Carolina Arrest Records
South Carolina arrest records are public documents. Law enforcement offices, courts, and state agencies keep these records across the state. You can search them online. In-person requests work too. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division runs the statewide criminal history database. County sheriff offices hold local booking logs and jail data. Court clerks store case files for criminal charges filed in South Carolina. Free tools let you look up recent arrests. You can also check on current inmates. This guide covers the main ways to search South Carolina arrest records from any county or city.
South Carolina Arrest Records Quick Facts
South Carolina Arrest Records on SLED
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division runs the SLED CATCH system for criminal history checks. CATCH stands for Citizens Access to Criminal Histories. It is the primary statewide tool for looking up arrest records in South Carolina. The search is name-based. You enter a last name, first name, and date of birth. A Social Security Number is optional but helps narrow results. SLED CATCH only returns South Carolina records. Other states are not in the system. Information on wanted persons is also excluded from SLED CATCH results.
The SLED CATCH portal provides online access to criminal history data for South Carolina arrest records.
Results may show charge details, case dispositions, and sentencing data from courts across South Carolina.
Each check costs $25, and most debit and credit cards work for online orders. A $1 convenience fee applies to web searches. Mail-in requests avoid that extra charge. Send those to SLED at Post Office Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221. Groups that meet state charitable requirements may qualify for a reduced $8 rate. When a search returns multiple matches, SLED marks it as "Special Processing Required." Call 803.896.1443 between 9am and 4:30pm on weekdays for help with your results.
SLED CATCH only finds exact name and birth date matches. Aliases can cause missed records. Fingerprint checks are more accurate but limited to cases where state law allows. For a thorough South Carolina arrest records search, use more than one tool.
Search South Carolina Court Records
The South Carolina Judicial Branch offers free access to court case records through its Public Index. You can search criminal and civil cases by county. The system shows docket data, case status, and party names. It covers all 46 counties. Some municipal court records are also in the system. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Results include arrest charges, court dates, and dispositions. The search costs nothing. For copies of full court documents, contact the Clerk of Court in the county where the case was filed.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch case search covers all 46 counties and lets you look up arrest records by party name or case number.
Using a case number, you can find which county handles a specific case and which court it sits in. The Appellate Case Management System covers Supreme Court and Court of Appeals filings separately and can be searched by case number or party name.
To search court records for South Carolina arrests, you need:
- Full name of at least one party
- The county where charges were filed
- A case number if you have one
- Filing date range to narrow results
Note: As of January 2026, home addresses no longer appear on the public index for new or existing cases in South Carolina.
South Carolina Inmate Search Tools
The South Carolina Department of Corrections runs an inmate search for state prisons. You can look up current inmates by name or SCDC number. The system shows photos, charges, and sentences. It also lists projected release dates. SCDC manages 21 facilities statewide and holds over 20,000 inmates. The search does not cover released inmates, parolees, or juveniles. For questions about state inmates, call 803-896-8500 or use the toll-free line at 1-866-727-2846.
The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services tracks people under community supervision across the state.
This tool lets you search for people on probation or parole in South Carolina. You can also find upcoming parole and pardon hearing dates, which are set about 30 days in advance.
County jails keep their own arrest and booking records too. Each sheriff's office runs a local detention center. Many counties now offer online inmate lookups. Berkeley, Charleston, Greenville, Lexington, Oconee, and York counties all have web-based search tools. Check your local sheriff's website for current booking data and recent arrest records in South Carolina.
How to Get Arrest Records
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act gives the public a right to request arrest records from government agencies. Under S.C. Code 30-4-10, state and local bodies must release records unless a specific exemption applies. Section 30-4-30(d) requires law enforcement records from the past 14 days to be available on demand. Jail rosters from the past three months must also be open during business hours. Agencies have 10 business days to respond. Records more than 24 months old may take up to 15 extra days. Fees can apply for searching and copying.
The U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina handles federal criminal cases and arrest records for the state.
Federal cases from September 1992 forward are on PACER. Older records sit at the Federal Records Center in East Point, Georgia. The clerk charges $34 per name if they run the search for you. Staffed offices in Charleston, Columbia, Florence, and Greenville are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The South Carolina State Agency Databases guide lists many searchable tools run by state agencies.
This page links to the inmate search, offender search, sex offender registry, and court records system. It is a good starting point for finding South Carolina arrest records from several sources at once.
South Carolina Arrest Records Expungement
South Carolina law allows the destruction of certain arrest records after expungement. Under S.C. Code Section 17-1-40, when charges are dismissed or a person is found not guilty, the arrest record, mug shots, and fingerprints must be destroyed. No agency may keep evidence of that charge once expungement is complete. Law enforcement can hold sealed copies for three years and 120 days. That window covers ongoing investigations and legal defense needs. After it ends, full destruction is required.
For minor crimes carrying penalties of 30 days or less, or fines up to $1,000, you may apply for expungement three years after conviction under Section 22-5-910. You must have no other convictions in that span. Summary courts must also expunge records at no cost when a defendant is found not guilty, as required by Section 17-22-950. If a person pleads guilty to a lesser charge, SLED must update the National Crime Information Center database to reflect the correct offense.
South Carolina Legal Services offers free guidance on clearing arrest records. Even dismissed charges can show on a check until formally expunged through SLED. Private third-party reports may hold outdated data longer than the official state system. Getting a formal expungement is the most reliable way to remove old South Carolina arrest records from your history.
South Carolina Victim Alerts
VINE is a free victim notification system that covers South Carolina. You can register for custody status alerts by phone, email, or text. The system tracks county jails and state prisons. It sends updates when an offender is released, moved, or escapes. VINE runs around the clock at no cost to users.
The VINE system at vinelink.com provides free custody alerts tied to South Carolina arrest records.
The service covers facilities across all 46 counties and the state prison system, making it one of the most direct ways to track an offender's status.
The South Carolina Sex Offender Registry is a separate SLED resource. It lists people convicted of sex crimes in any state who live or work in South Carolina. The registry is free to search and includes names, addresses, and conviction details. SLED CATCH does not contain sex offender data. You must check the registry on its own to find that information. For general questions about South Carolina arrest records, the SLED Public Dissemination Unit is available at 803.896.1443 on weekdays or by email at SLEDCATCHAcct@sled.sc.gov.
South Carolina Arrest Records by County
Each county in South Carolina has a sheriff's office that keeps arrest records and runs a detention center. Pick a county below to find local booking resources and contact details for arrest records.
Arrest Records in South Carolina Cities
City police departments handle arrests within their limits. County sheriff offices process and store most booking records. Pick a city below for local arrest record resources.