Charleston County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Charleston County
Yes, arrest records in Charleston County are considered public information under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act. This means that anyone can access basic information about arrests made within the county's jurisdiction.
The Charleston County Sheriff's Office maintains these records and makes them available through various platforms. While some information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal details, the majority of arrest record information is accessible to the public.
Public access to these records serves multiple purposes, including maintaining transparency in the criminal justice system and allowing community members to stay informed about local law enforcement activities.
Charleston County Sheriff's Office, 3691 Leeds Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
What's in Charleston County Arrest Records
Charleston County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been arrested, including:
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Personal identification information:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
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Arrest details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
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Criminal charge information:
- Nature of alleged offense(s)
- Charge classification (misdemeanor or felony)
- Statute numbers
- Bond amount (if applicable)
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Case processing information:
- Court dates
- Case numbers
- Disposition of charges (if resolved)
These records are maintained by the Charleston County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Court, with varying levels of detail available depending on the access method used.
Charleston County Clerk of Court, 100 Broad Street, Suite 106, Charleston, SC 29401
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Charleston County in 2025
In 2025, Charleston County offers several methods to look up arrest records:
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Online Inmate Search Portal:
- Visit the Charleston County Sheriff's Office website
- Navigate to the inmate search function
- Enter the individual's name or booking number
- Review the results for current and recent bookings
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Clerk of Court Records:
- Visit the Charleston County Judicial Center
- Request assistance from the Clerk's office staff
- Provide identifying information for the person of interest
- Pay any applicable search or copy fees
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Third-Party Background Check Services:
- Subscribe to a reputable background check service
- Enter the individual's information
- Review the compiled arrest record information
- Note that these services may charge fees and information may not be as current as official sources
-
Public Access Computer Terminals:
- Visit the Charleston County Judicial Center
- Use the public access terminals in the lobby
- Search the court management system for case information
- Print relevant documents for a small fee
Charleston County Judicial Center, 101 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
How To Find Charleston County Arrest Records Online
Finding Charleston County arrest records online is straightforward through these official channels:
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Charleston County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search:
- Navigate to the official Sheriff's Office website
- Select the "Inmate Search" option
- Enter the individual's name or booking number
- View current and recent booking information
- Access basic charge information and booking photos
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Charleston County Clerk of Court Online Services:
- Visit the Clerk of Court website
- Select "Public Index Search"
- Create a free account if required
- Search by name to find criminal case information
- Review case details, including charges and court dates
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Charleston County Sheriff's Office Warrants Search:
- Access the Sheriff's Office website
- Navigate to the "Warrants Search" section
- Enter the individual's name
- View any active warrants in the system
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South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Search:
- Visit the state judicial website
- Select Charleston County from the jurisdiction options
- Enter the individual's name
- Review any criminal case information available
South Carolina Judicial Branch, 1220 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Can You Search Charleston County Arrest Records for Free?
Yes, you can search Charleston County arrest records for free through several channels:
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Charleston County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search:
- The online inmate search portal is completely free to use
- Provides current booking information and recent releases
- Includes basic charge information and booking photos
- No registration or fees required
-
Public Access Terminals:
- Located in the Charleston County Judicial Center
- Free to search, though printing may incur small fees
- Provide access to court case information
- No appointment necessary
-
Charleston County Clerk of Court Public Index:
- Free online access to court records
- May require basic registration
- Provides case information for criminal proceedings
- Available 24/7 from any internet-connected device
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In-Person Requests:
- Visit the Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Request specific arrest record information
- Basic searches are typically provided at no cost
- Certified copies may require fees
While these free options provide substantial information, more comprehensive background checks or certified copies of records may require payment of nominal fees.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Charleston County
Deleting arrest records in Charleston County is possible through the expungement process, though not all records qualify. Here's how to proceed:
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Determine Eligibility:
- Not all arrests qualify for expungement
- Generally, cases resulting in dismissal, not guilty verdicts, or certain first-time offenses may be eligible
- South Carolina law specifies which offenses can be expunged
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Obtain and Complete Forms:
- Contact the Charleston County Solicitor's Office
- Request expungement application forms
- Complete all required paperwork accurately
- Gather supporting documentation (court dispositions, etc.)
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Submit Application:
- File the completed application with the Solicitor's Office
- Pay the required expungement fee (typically $250-$300)
- Provide all supporting documentation
- Verify your application has been received
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Wait for Processing:
- The Solicitor's Office reviews the application
- If approved, it's forwarded to a judge for final approval
- Upon judicial approval, orders are sent to relevant agencies
- Agencies then remove records from public access
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Verify Completion:
- Check online resources to confirm records are no longer visible
- Request verification from the Solicitor's Office if needed
- Be aware that some private databases may still contain outdated information
Charleston County Solicitor's Office, 101 Meeting Street, Suite 400, Charleston, SC 29401
What Happens After Arrest in Charleston County?
After an arrest in Charleston County, individuals go through a standardized process:
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Booking Procedure:
- Transportation to Charleston County Detention Center
- Personal information collection and verification
- Fingerprinting and photograph (mugshot) taken
- Personal property inventory and storage
- Medical screening
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Bond Hearing:
- Appearance before a magistrate judge (usually within 24 hours)
- Charges formally presented
- Bond amount set based on offense severity and flight risk
- Release conditions established if bond is granted
- Public defender may be appointed if defendant qualifies
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Release Options:
- Personal recognizance (release on promise to appear)
- Cash bond (full payment to court)
- Surety bond (payment through bondsman)
- Property bond (using property as collateral)
- Pretrial supervision in some cases
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Court Proceedings:
- Initial appearance/arraignment
- Preliminary hearing (for felonies)
- Discovery phase
- Plea negotiations
- Trial if no plea agreement is reached
- Sentencing if convicted
Throughout this process, individuals have the right to legal representation. Those who cannot afford an attorney may qualify for a public defender.
Charleston County Detention Center, 3841 Leeds Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Charleston County?
Arrest records in Charleston County are typically maintained indefinitely unless expunged through legal processes. The retention policies are as follows:
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Standard Retention:
- Arrest records are permanently maintained in the Sheriff's Office database
- Court records related to arrests remain in the Clerk of Court system indefinitely
- Digital booking information and photographs are retained permanently
- Physical fingerprint cards are maintained for the long term
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Public Accessibility:
- Recent arrests are most readily accessible through online portals
- Older records may require more specific requests
- Some online systems may only display records from the past 5-10 years
- Complete historical records remain available through formal requests
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Exceptions:
- Juvenile records may be subject to different retention policies
- Successfully expunged records are removed from public access
- Sealed records by court order are restricted from public view
- Some diversion program completions may result in record restrictions
-
Record Correction:
- Inaccurate information can be corrected through the Sheriff's Office
- Documentation proving inaccuracy must be provided
- Corrections do not remove the record but update incorrect information
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), 4400 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210
How to Find Mugshots in Charleston County
Finding mugshots in Charleston County can be accomplished through several official channels:
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Charleston County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search:
- Visit the Sheriff's Office website
- Navigate to the inmate search function
- Enter the individual's name or booking number
- Booking photos are typically displayed with search results
- Recent and current inmates are most readily available
-
In-Person Request:
- Visit the Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Complete a mugshot request form
- Provide identifying information for the person of interest
- Pay any applicable fees for printed copies
- Be prepared to show identification
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Third-Party Websites:
- Various commercial websites aggregate mugshot information
- Search by name and location (Charleston County)
- Be aware that information may be outdated or inaccurate
- Some sites charge fees for access or removal
- Use with caution due to potential privacy concerns
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Media Archives:
- Local news outlets often publish mugshots for significant cases
- Search media website archives for relevant names
- Public library newspaper archives may contain historical mugshots
- Coverage typically limited to newsworthy arrests
Note that while mugshots are generally considered public records in South Carolina, their use and distribution should respect privacy considerations and legal restrictions.
Lookup Arrest Records in Charleston County
For comprehensive access to Charleston County arrest records, the following official resources provide reliable information:
Charleston County Sheriff's Office - Inmate Search - Search for current and recently released inmates, view booking information, charges, and mugshots.
Charleston County Sheriff's Office - Annual Statistics - Review detention center statistics including booking numbers and trends.
Charleston County Clerk of Court - Online Services - Access court records related to criminal cases, including case status and court dates.
Charleston County Sheriff's Office - Warrants Search - Check for active warrants by searching an individual's name.
Charleston County Detention Center Organizational Chart - View the structure of the detention center that processes and houses arrestees.