Find Aiken County Arrest Records
Aiken County arrest records can be searched through several public sources. The county sits in the western central part of South Carolina along the Georgia border and has a population of more than 170,000. The Aiken County Sheriff's Office processes arrests and maintains booking records at the county detention center. Court records for criminal cases are stored by the Clerk of Court and can be found through the online Public Index. Anyone who needs to look up arrest records in Aiken County has options that range from online searches to in-person visits at the courthouse or Sheriff's Office.
Aiken County Quick Facts
Aiken County Sheriff Booking Records
The Aiken County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the county. Deputies patrol a large area that stretches from the Savannah River to the Edisto River basin. Every arrest made by the Sheriff's Office results in a booking record at the Aiken County Detention Center. These records include the person's name, charges, bond amount, and mugshot. The detention center holds both pretrial inmates and those serving short sentences for misdemeanor crimes.
Under S.C. Code 30-4-30(d), the names of people held in any jail for the past three months must be available on demand. You do not need a written FOIA request to see this list. Walk into the Sheriff's Office during business hours and ask for the current roster. For older records or copies of specific arrest reports, a formal request under S.C. Code 30-4-10 may be required.
The image below shows the Aiken County Sheriff's Office website, which serves as a starting point for finding arrest and detention information in Aiken County.
The Sheriff's website has links for records, detention services, and contact details for each division.
Aiken County Criminal Case Records
Criminal cases in Aiken County are heard in the magistrate courts and the circuit court. The Clerk of Court stores all case files. These include charges, motions, plea deals, and final rulings. You can go to the courthouse in Aiken to view files in person.
For an online search, the Aiken County Public Index is the best tool. It lets you search by party name, case number, or date. Results show docket entries, hearing dates, and case outcomes. The system is free and open to the public. It covers both criminal and civil matters filed in Aiken County courts.
The screenshot below shows the Aiken County Public Index, which connects to the statewide judicial records system and provides access to criminal case data for Aiken County.
Basic case data is free to view. Certified copies of court documents require a fee from the Clerk of Court in Aiken County.
The Aiken Public Safety Most Wanted list is another resource. It posts names, photos, and charges for people with active warrants in the City of Aiken. The list changes as people are caught or new warrants are issued.
Note: Recent filings may take a short time to appear in the online Public Index for Aiken County.
Statewide Arrest Record Tools
Several state databases help you search for arrest records that involve Aiken County residents. The SLED CATCH system is the main criminal history check for South Carolina. A search costs $25 plus a $1 online fee. You need the person's last name, first name, and date of birth. CATCH shows all South Carolina criminal records, not just those from Aiken County. Results can include arrests, charges, and dispositions from any jurisdiction in the state.
If someone was sentenced in Aiken County and sent to state prison, the SCDC Inmate Search will show their current status. The search displays photos, charges, facility location, and projected release dates. For people on probation or parole after an Aiken County conviction, use the SCDPPPS offender search to find their supervision details. The South Carolina Sex Offender Registry is free and tracks registered offenders by address across the state.
Clearing Arrest Records in Aiken County
Aiken County arrest records can be removed from public view in certain cases. S.C. Code 17-1-40 requires the destruction of arrest and booking data when charges are dismissed or the person is found not guilty. This means the mug shots, fingerprints, and all files tied to that charge must be erased. No record of the charge can remain at any local or state agency once the court orders expungement.
People convicted of minor offenses in Aiken County may also seek expungement. Under S.C. Code 22-5-910, a person convicted of a crime with a penalty of 30 days or less can ask for expungement three years after the conviction. They must have no new convictions during that time. The request goes to the circuit court.
South Carolina Legal Services provides guides on the expungement process. Even after charges are dropped in Aiken County, the arrest may still show on a record until a formal expungement order is entered. Getting that order is the only way to fully remove the record.
Note: Expunged records in Aiken County may be held under seal by law enforcement for up to three years and 120 days for limited purposes.
Aiken County Arrest Record Access Methods
There are several ways to obtain arrest records in Aiken County. Each method works best for different needs.
- Visit the Aiken County Clerk of Court to view criminal case files in person
- Search the online Public Index for free case data from Aiken County
- Submit a FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office for arrest reports
- Use SLED CATCH for a statewide criminal history check
- Check the SCDC inmate search for state prison records
- Use VINE to track custody status of an offender from Aiken County
The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act requires agencies to respond within 10 business days. For older records, they have an extra 15 days. Fees for copies vary. Plain copies cost less than certified ones. Always ask for a fee quote before you submit a large request to any Aiken County office.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch also offers a central gateway to court records across all counties, which can serve as an alternate path to Aiken County criminal case data.
Cities in Aiken County
Aiken County includes several cities and towns. Arrest records for crimes committed within city limits may be held by the local police department or the Sheriff's Office.
Both Aiken and North Augusta have their own police departments that handle arrests within their city limits. County-level cases are managed by the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.
Nearby Counties
Aiken County shares borders with several South Carolina counties. If you cannot locate an arrest record in Aiken County, the arrest may have been processed in a neighboring jurisdiction.