Union County Arrest Records Lookup
Union County arrest records are available through the court system and sheriff's office in this small Upstate South Carolina county. With a population near 27,000, Union County handles fewer cases than larger counties, but arrest records are still maintained with care. You can search for arrest records in Union County using the state court public index at no cost. The sheriff's office also responds to requests for booking data. These records show charges, bond amounts, court dates, and case results for people arrested in Union County.
Union County Quick Facts
Union County Sheriff Arrest Information
The Union County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. Deputies patrol the area, serve warrants, and make arrests. The sheriff also runs the Union County detention center where people are booked after an arrest. Each booking creates an arrest record that is stored in the county system.
You can contact the sheriff's office to ask about recent arrests in Union County. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody and what charges they face. For written copies of arrest records, you may need to file a public records request. The office is located in the town of Union, which serves as the county seat.
Union County is a rural area with a tight-knit community. The sheriff's office handles most law enforcement calls outside the town limits. Arrests made by the Union city police also go through the Union County court system, so all criminal records end up in the same place.
Court Records for Union County Arrests
Criminal cases from arrests in Union County are heard in the General Sessions Court and Magistrate Court. The General Sessions Court takes on felonies and serious charges. The Magistrate Court covers minor offenses. Both courts keep records that connect to arrest records filed in Union County.
The Union County Public Index is the best free tool for searching these records online. Run by the South Carolina Judicial Branch, it lets you look up cases by name or case number. You can see the charges, hearing schedule, and outcome for each case. The system covers both open and closed cases, so it works for recent and old arrest records in Union County.
The public index is open to all users. You do not need an account or a reason to search. Under Section 17-1-40 of the South Carolina Code, criminal records are open for public inspection. This means anyone can view arrest records in Union County through the court system.
Note: Some case details may be limited in the public index, but the charge and disposition data for Union County arrest records is typically shown.
Statewide Checks for Union County Arrests
SLED runs the central criminal history database for South Carolina. A background check through the CATCH system pulls arrest records from Union County along with every other county in the state. The fee is $25 per check. Results show arrests, charges, and convictions that are on file with SLED.
This tool is the most complete option when you need a full criminal history. The court public index only covers Union County cases. SLED covers all of South Carolina. If someone has arrest records in more than one county, the SLED report will show them all in one place. You can submit your request online or by mail to PO Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221.
The South Carolina court records search also gives you access to court data across all counties. It is free and works the same way as the Union County public index. Use it when you want to search more than one county at a time.
Tracking Arrests in Union County
VINELink is a free service that alerts crime victims when an inmate's status changes. You can sign up to receive a call, text, or email when someone is released from the Union County detention center or moved to another facility. The system covers jails across South Carolina.
For people who move from county jail to state prison, the Department of Corrections inmate search lets you track them. The Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services search covers those on supervised release after serving time. Both tools connect to cases that started with arrest records in Union County.
The South Carolina Sex Offender Registry is yet another public tool. It lists people convicted of sex crimes who are required to register. You can search by name or location. These records are separate from standard arrest records but may relate to cases from Union County.
Expunging Union County Arrest Records
Some arrest records in Union County can be removed from public view through expungement. South Carolina law allows this for cases that ended in dismissal, a not guilty verdict, or certain first-time offenses. The arrest record is erased from SLED and the court system once a judge approves the request.
To start the process, you file a petition with the court that handled the case in Union County. A judge reviews the facts and decides if the record qualifies. The expungement guide from South Carolina Legal Services breaks down the rules and forms you need. The Clerk of Court in Union County can also answer questions about whether a specific case is eligible.
Expungement gives people a path to clear old arrest records that did not result in a lasting conviction. Once the record is removed in Union County, it will not show up in future SLED background checks or court public index searches.
Note: Sex offender registry entries cannot be expunged through this process and remain public in Union County and statewide.
What Union County Arrest Records Include
An arrest record in Union County contains the basic facts of the event. It tells you who was arrested, when it happened, and what charges were filed. As the case moves through the court system, more data gets added to the record.
A typical arrest record from Union County shows:
- Name and date of birth of the person arrested
- Date and location of the arrest
- Charges at the time of booking
- Bond amount and conditions
- Court dates and assigned judge
The sheriff's office keeps the booking data. The Clerk of Court holds the case file. SLED stores the criminal history summary. Each source has a different piece of the full picture for arrest records in Union County. Checking more than one gives you the most complete view of a person's criminal record.
Nearby Counties
Union County is surrounded by several other counties in the Upstate and Piedmont regions. If you cannot find an arrest record in Union County, the person may have been booked in a neighboring county.