Charleston Arrest Records Search
Charleston arrest records are kept by the Charleston Police Department and the Charleston County Sheriff. Charleston is one of the oldest and most well known cities in South Carolina. It has a large population and a busy court system. People search for arrest records in Charleston for many reasons. You can look up bookings, charges, and case outcomes through several public tools. The city and county both hold records that are open to the public. This page walks you through how to find and access arrest records in Charleston step by step.
Charleston Quick Facts
Charleston Police Department Records
The Charleston Police Department handles arrests within the city limits. Officers make arrests based on warrants, on-scene incidents, and other law enforcement actions. Each arrest creates a record that includes the person's name, date of birth, charges, and the date of the arrest. These records are held by the department and can be looked up through a few different paths.
You can request arrest records from the Charleston Police Department through their public records office. The city follows the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act under S.C. Code Section 17-1-40, which governs access to criminal records. Requests can be made in writing or in person. The department will provide what the law allows and may redact certain parts if required by state rules.
The Charleston Police Department is one of the largest in the state. It serves a wide area that includes downtown Charleston and the surrounding parts of the city. Arrests made by Charleston officers are processed at the Al Cannon Detention Center at 3841 Leeds Ave in North Charleston, SC 29405. That is where most bookings for the Charleston area take place.
The department publishes information about recent activity on its crime reports page. You can view data on crimes and arrests by area. This tool is helpful if you want to see trends or find out about recent arrest records in Charleston.
This screenshot shows the main page for the Charleston Police Department. It lists key services and contact details for residents who need to look up arrest records or file a request.
Note: Response times for public records requests in Charleston may vary depending on the size and scope of the request.
How to Search Arrest Records in Charleston
There are a few ways to search for arrest records in Charleston. The method you choose depends on what you need and how fast you need it. Online tools give quick results for basic lookups. In-person requests work best when you need detailed or certified copies of arrest records.
The Charleston County Public Index is a free tool that covers all courts in the county. You can search by name or case number. Results show charge details, court dates, and case outcomes. This is one of the best ways to find arrest records tied to court cases in Charleston.
The Charleston County Sheriff runs an inmate search tool on its website. This lets you look up people who are currently held at the Al Cannon Detention Center. The tool shows the person's name, booking date, charges, and bond amount. It does not show records for people who have been released, but it is a fast way to find current arrest records in Charleston County.
This is the public records request page for the City of Charleston. It explains how to submit requests under FOIA for arrest records and other public documents.
Charleston Booking and Detention Info
The Al Cannon Detention Center is the main jail for Charleston County. It is located at 3841 Leeds Ave in North Charleston. All arrests made by Charleston Police, North Charleston Police, and the Charleston County Sheriff are processed here. The facility holds people awaiting trial, serving short sentences, or waiting for transfer.
After an arrest in Charleston, the person is taken to the detention center for booking. During booking, staff records the charges, takes a photo, and collects personal details. This creates the booking record. Booking records are part of the public arrest records for Charleston and can be looked up through the sheriff's website or by contacting the facility.
Video visitation is available at the Al Cannon Detention Center. There is a 72-hour wait after booking before visits can be scheduled. The facility also handles bond payments and release processing. If you need arrest records tied to a booking in Charleston, the detention center staff can point you in the right direction.
Note: The detention center serves all of Charleston County, not just the City of Charleston, so records there may include arrests from other areas.
Charleston Arrest Records in Court
Once an arrest in Charleston leads to charges, the case goes to court. Court records show what happened after the arrest. They include the charges filed, plea information, trial outcomes, and sentences. The Charleston County Clerk of Court keeps these records.
You can look up court cases tied to arrest records in Charleston through the county public index or by visiting the clerk's office. Cases are filed under the person's name and a case number. You need at least one of these to search. The clerk can also provide certified copies of court documents if you need them for legal purposes.
South Carolina courts follow specific rules about what arrest records are public. Most adult criminal cases are open to the public. Juvenile arrest records are sealed in most situations. The South Carolina Courts case search is another tool you can use to look up cases statewide, including those in Charleston.
Charleston Crime Data and Reports
The Charleston Police Department shares crime data with the public. This includes reports on arrests, crimes by area, and trends over time. The data helps people understand what is happening in their part of the city. It also gives context to arrest records in Charleston by showing how often certain types of crimes occur.
This page from the Charleston Police shows how to access crime reports and data. Residents can use this tool to look at arrest activity in specific parts of the city.
Crime data and arrest records in Charleston are two sides of the same picture. The reports show what happened. The arrest records show who was charged. Together they give a full view of law enforcement activity in the city.
Statewide Tools for Charleston Records
Several state tools can help you find arrest records tied to people in Charleston. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division runs the CATCH system, which stands for Central Automated Tracking of Criminal History. This is the main state database for criminal records. You can request a background check through this system for a fee.
Other useful state resources include:
- The SC Department of Corrections inmate search for people in state prison
- The SC Probation and Parole offender search for people on supervision
- The VINE Link victim notification system for tracking custody status
These tools work for any location in South Carolina, including Charleston. They are free to use and updated on a regular basis. If you need arrest records for someone who was charged in Charleston but transferred to a state facility, these tools can fill in the gaps.
Clearing Arrest Records in Charleston
South Carolina law allows certain arrest records to be expunged. Expungement removes the record from public view. Not all arrests qualify. The type of charge, the outcome of the case, and the person's history all play a role. The SC Legal Services expungement guide explains who qualifies and how the process works.
To start an expungement in Charleston, you file a petition with the court. The solicitor's office reviews the request. If the case was dismissed or the person was found not guilty, the process is often straightforward. For other outcomes, there may be waiting periods or other conditions. Charleston residents should check with the clerk of court or a local attorney to learn if their arrest record can be cleared.
Charleston County Arrest Records
Charleston is in Charleston County. The county handles arrest processing, court cases, and detention for the whole area. For more on county resources, court details, and related records, visit the Charleston County arrest records page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other cities in the area also have their own arrest records and law enforcement agencies. Pick a city below to learn about arrest records in that area.