Find Lexington Arrest Records
Lexington arrest records are maintained by the Lexington Police Department and the Lexington County Sheriff. The town of Lexington is the county seat and sits just west of Columbia in the Midlands region of South Carolina. You can search for arrest records in Lexington through local and county offices. State law supports public access to most adult criminal data. This page covers the tools, offices, and steps that can help you look up arrest records in Lexington.
Lexington Quick Facts
Lexington Police Department Records
The Lexington Police Department is the main law enforcement agency in the town. Officers patrol the area, handle calls, and make arrests. Every arrest creates a record that includes the person's name, charges, date of birth, and when the arrest took place. These arrest records are held by the department and are open to the public under South Carolina law.
The Lexington Police Department has a records unit located at 521 Gibson Road, Lexington, SC 29072. You can reach the unit by phone at 803-785-2417. This is the office to contact when you need copies of arrest records from the town of Lexington. Staff can walk you through the request process and let you know what information is available.
Lexington is the county seat. That means the main county offices are close by. The courthouse, the sheriff's office, and the detention center are all within a short drive. This makes it easy to follow up on arrest records from both the town and the county in one trip.
The image below is from the Lexington town government website, which links to the police department and other local services.
This is the main page for the Town of Lexington. From here you can reach the police department and other offices that handle public records, including arrest records in Lexington.
Note: The records unit at 521 Gibson Road has set office hours, so call ahead before visiting to confirm they are open.
Lexington County Arrest Records
The Lexington County Sheriff's Department handles law enforcement outside the town limits and runs the county jail. When Lexington Police make an arrest, the person is taken to the county detention center for booking. The booking process captures a photo, fingerprints, and full charge details. This creates a booking record that is separate from the arrest record held by the town.
Lexington County offers an inmate search tool on the sheriff's website. This tool shows current inmates, their charges, bond amounts, and booking dates. It is one of the quickest ways to check for recent arrest records tied to Lexington. The search is free and updates on a regular basis.
The county sheriff also handles arrests in parts of Lexington County that are not covered by a town police force. If an arrest happened outside the town but near Lexington, the sheriff's office is the place to check. Both agencies serve the same county, but they cover different areas.
Lexington Arrest Records in Court
After an arrest in Lexington leads to charges, the case moves to court. Court records tie directly to the original arrest record. They show what charges were filed, how the defendant entered a plea, and what the court decided. The Lexington County Public Index is a free tool that covers all courts in the county.
You can search the public index by name or case number. Results show charge details, court dates, and outcomes. This is one of the best ways to see what happened after an arrest in Lexington. If you need certified copies of court documents, contact the Lexington County Clerk of Court directly.
The South Carolina Courts case search is another option. It covers courts across the state and can be used to find cases from Lexington County. Most adult criminal cases are public. Juvenile records are sealed in most situations under South Carolina law.
Note: Court records may take a few days to appear in the public index after an arrest in Lexington, depending on how fast the case is processed.
State Databases for Lexington Records
South Carolina maintains several statewide tools that can help with arrest records from Lexington. The SLED CATCH system is the main criminal history database. It stands for Central Automated Tracking of Criminal History. You can submit a request and get a report that pulls data from every county in the state, including Lexington.
Other state tools that work for Lexington arrest records:
- 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 system for custody status alerts
These tools are free and cover all of South Carolina. They are helpful when someone was arrested in Lexington but later moved to a state facility or was placed on supervision. Under S.C. Code Section 17-1-40, the public has a right to access criminal records, and these databases help make that possible.
Clearing Arrest Records in Lexington
Some arrest records in South Carolina can be removed from public view through expungement. Not all cases qualify. The type of charge, case outcome, and criminal history all matter. The SC Legal Services expungement guide lays out who qualifies and what steps are needed.
Lexington residents who want to clear an arrest record should start with the Lexington County Clerk of Court. The clerk can tell you what forms to file and explain the current timeline. Dismissed cases and not guilty verdicts often have the clearest path to expungement. For other results, there may be waiting periods or added requirements. A local attorney can also help you work through the process if your case is more complex.
Lexington County Arrest Records
Lexington is the county seat of Lexington County. The county runs the jail, courts, and sheriff's office that process arrests for the entire area. For more details on county resources and records, visit the Lexington County arrest records page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other cities near Lexington have their own law enforcement agencies and arrest records. Pick a city below to learn more about records in that area.