Berkeley County Arrest Records Database
Berkeley County arrest records are accessible through the Sheriff's Office, the online inmate lookup tool, and the county court system. Located just north of Charleston, Berkeley County is one of the fastest growing counties in South Carolina with a population above 230,000. The Sheriff's Office provides a public inmate search and a crime map. Criminal case records are stored by the Clerk of Court and can be searched through the statewide Public Index. Berkeley County offers strong online tools for anyone who needs to search for arrest records or check current jail bookings.
Berkeley County Quick Facts
Berkeley County Inmate Arrest Search
The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup is one of the best online tools for finding recent arrest records in the county. The system lets you search for current inmates by name, date, or charges. Results show booking photos, charges, bond amounts, and other key details. The tool is updated daily as new bookings and releases are processed at the Berkeley County jail.
This screenshot shows the Berkeley County inmate search tool, which provides daily arrest record updates for the county.
The inmate lookup is free and open to the public. It is the fastest way to check if someone was recently arrested in Berkeley County.
The Sheriff's Office also maintains a Most Wanted list that shows fugitives with active warrants. The list includes photos and charges. It changes as people are caught or new warrants are issued in Berkeley County.
Under S.C. Code 30-4-30(d), the names of people held in jail for the past three months must be available on demand. The online inmate search goes beyond this requirement by giving you real-time access to current booking data from Berkeley County.
Berkeley County Crime Map
Berkeley County uses an interactive crime map that shows recent criminal activity across the county. The map lets you filter by incident type, date, and location. You can view data for arson, assault, burglary, drug offenses, and other categories. The map also shows the locations of registered sex offenders in and around Berkeley County.
The image below shows the community crime map, which draws data from the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office.
The crime map is a useful tool for seeing patterns of criminal activity in Berkeley County neighborhoods. Data is updated on a regular basis by the Sheriff's Office.
Berkeley County Criminal Case Records
Criminal cases in Berkeley County are handled by the magistrate courts and the circuit court. The Clerk of Court stores all case files at the courthouse in Moncks Corner. You can visit in person to view files during business hours. Staff can help you locate cases by name or case number.
The Berkeley County Public Index is the online option. This free tool is part of the South Carolina Judicial Branch system that connects all 46 counties. Search by party name, case number, court type, or filing date. Results include docket entries, hearing dates, and case outcomes for both criminal and civil matters filed in Berkeley County. Basic data is free. Certified copies require a fee from the Clerk of Court.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch also hosts a statewide case records search. Use it if the direct Berkeley County link is slow or if you want to search across multiple counties at once.
Note: Court records in Berkeley County are updated by staff as filings are processed, so there may be a brief lag for very recent cases.
Statewide Criminal Record Tools
State databases add depth to any Berkeley County arrest record search. The SLED CATCH system runs criminal history checks across all of South Carolina. A search costs $25 plus a $1 online fee. You enter the person's name and date of birth. CATCH returns arrests, charges, and dispositions from every county. It is the most complete single search for South Carolina criminal records.
The SCDC Inmate Search shows people in state prison. If someone was sentenced in Berkeley County and moved to a state facility, this tool shows their current status. The SCDPPPS offender search covers those on probation or parole after a Berkeley County case.
Crime victims in Berkeley County can register with the VINE notification system to track an offender. VINE sends free alerts by phone, email, or text when custody status changes. The South Carolina Sex Offender Registry, kept by SLED, tracks registered offenders by name or address at no cost.
Berkeley County Record Expungement
Certain arrest records from Berkeley County can be erased through expungement. Under S.C. Code 17-1-40, when charges are dismissed or the person is acquitted, all arrest and booking data must be destroyed. Mug shots, fingerprints, and related files are removed from every local and state database.
S.C. Code 22-5-910 covers minor convictions. A person convicted of a crime with a penalty of 30 days or less can apply for expungement three years after the conviction. They must have no new convictions during that time. Summary courts must also handle automatic expungement when a person is found not guilty, as long as they were fingerprinted.
South Carolina Legal Services publishes free guides on the process. Berkeley County residents can use these to learn if their arrest records qualify for removal. Even after charges are dropped, the arrest may still show on a record until a formal expungement order is entered.
Note: Expunged records in Berkeley County may be held under seal by law enforcement for up to three years and 120 days for limited purposes.
Cities in Berkeley County
Berkeley County includes the city of Goose Creek and several other growing communities in the Charleston metro area. Arrests within city limits may be handled by local police.
Goose Creek has its own police department. County-level arrest records are managed by the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office.
Nearby Counties
Berkeley County sits north of Charleston and borders several other South Carolina counties. If an arrest happened near a county line, the record may be in a neighboring jurisdiction.