Chesterfield County Criminal Records
What Is Chesterfield County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are maintained by multiple agencies across the county and state, each responsible for a distinct segment of the criminal justice process.
Arrest records document the circumstances under which a person was taken into custody, including the date, arresting agency, charges alleged, and booking information. Conviction records, by contrast, reflect the formal outcome of criminal proceedings — a guilty plea, jury verdict, or bench finding — and carry legal consequences such as sentencing, fines, and probation. Under South Carolina law, an arrest alone does not constitute a conviction, and the two categories are treated differently for purposes of public disclosure and background screening.
Criminal offenses in South Carolina are classified as felonies (more serious crimes carrying potential imprisonment of more than one year) or misdemeanors (lesser offenses typically resulting in fines or shorter jail terms). Juvenile records are generally sealed pursuant to § 63-19-2050 of the South Carolina Code of Laws and are not accessible to the general public. Active warrants represent current judicial orders for arrest, while historical records document past proceedings that have been fully adjudicated.
The principal agencies maintaining Chesterfield County criminal records include:
- Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office — arrests, bookings, and jail records
- South Carolina Circuit Court (Chesterfield County) — case filings, pleas, trial proceedings, and dispositions
- South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) — statewide criminal history repository
- Chesterfield Police Department — local arrest and incident reports
Records maintained across these agencies collectively document charges filed, arraignments, pleas entered, trial proceedings, sentencing orders, and probation or parole conditions.
Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office 135 West Main Street, Chesterfield, SC 29709 (843) 623-2101 Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office
Chesterfield County Clerk of Court 200 West Main Street, Chesterfield, SC 29709 (843) 623-2574 Chesterfield County Clerk of Court
Are Criminal Records Public In Chesterfield County
Criminal records in Chesterfield County are presumptively public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), § 30-4-10 et seq., which establishes that all citizens are entitled to inspect and copy public records of public bodies. Pursuant to this statute, adult conviction records, court case filings, sentencing orders, and most arrest records are available for public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
The following categories of records are generally accessible to members of the public:
- Adult conviction records and court dispositions
- Arrest logs and booking records
- Court dockets and case filings in Circuit Court
- Sex offender registration information
- Active warrant information (where released by the Sheriff's Office)
The following categories are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records, which are sealed under § 63-19-2050
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations
- Expunged records, which are destroyed or sealed pursuant to court order
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records associated with diversion programs
- Victim identifying information in certain sensitive cases
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records must submit requests in accordance with FOIA procedures, and agencies are required to respond within ten business days of receiving a written request.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Chesterfield County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Chesterfield County criminal records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process for accessing these records:
- Identify the record type needed. Determine whether the request involves an arrest record, court case disposition, statewide criminal history, or active warrant information, as each is maintained by a different agency.
- Submit a FOIA request to the appropriate agency. Written requests may be submitted to the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office for arrest and jail records, or to the Clerk of Court for court case records. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought.
- Request a statewide criminal history through SLED. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division processes criminal history requests for employment, licensing, and personal review purposes. Requests may be submitted online or by mail with the required fee and identification.
- Search court records through the South Carolina Judicial Department. The Public Index system provides online access to circuit court case information statewide, including Chesterfield County.
- Appear in person at the Clerk of Court. Members of the public may inspect court records in person during regular business hours. The Clerk of Court office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Pay applicable fees. Fees for copies are set by statute and agency policy; inspection of records is generally free of charge.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) 4400 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 737-9000 South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
How To Find Criminal Records in Chesterfield County Online
Several official online portals currently provide access to Chesterfield County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit.
South Carolina Public Index (Judicial Department): The South Carolina Judicial Department maintains a statewide case management system that allows members of the public to search circuit court records by name, case number, or filing date. The system includes case filings, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions for Chesterfield County Circuit Court cases. No registration is required for basic name searches.
SLED CATCH Portal: The Citizens Access to Criminal Histories (CATCH) system, operated by SLED, allows individuals to conduct name-based searches of South Carolina criminal records online. The portal returns conviction history information and is available to the general public for a nominal fee. Users must create an account to complete a search.
Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office Online Resources: The Sheriff's Office website provides access to current inmate rosters and may publish arrest logs. These records reflect individuals currently held in the Chesterfield County Detention Center.
South Carolina Sex Offender Registry: SLED maintains a publicly searchable sex offender registry at scsor.sled.sc.gov, which includes registrants residing in Chesterfield County.
It is important to note that not all records are available online. Sealed records, expunged cases, and certain sensitive case files are accessible only through in-person requests at the appropriate agency. Historical records predating electronic filing systems may also require an in-person visit to the Clerk of Court.
Can You Search Chesterfield County Criminal Records for Free?
Under § 30-4-30 of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, members of the public have the right to inspect public records free of charge. Fees may only be charged for the actual cost of copying or for the time required to search and compile records when the request is voluminous.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- In-person inspection of court records at the Chesterfield County Clerk of Court (no fee for inspection; copying fees apply)
- South Carolina Public Index — free online access to circuit court case information, including Chesterfield County cases
- Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office inmate roster — publicly available online at no charge
- South Carolina Sex Offender Registry — free public search through SLED
The SLED CATCH portal for statewide criminal history searches currently charges a fee per search. Certified criminal history reports requested for employment or licensing purposes also carry a fee established by SLED. Personal review requests by the subject of the record may be submitted at a reduced rate.
What's Included in a Chesterfield County Criminal Record?
A comprehensive Chesterfield County criminal record may contain the following categories of information, depending on the maintaining agency and the nature of the case.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Photograph (mugshot) taken at booking
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) assigned by SLED
- FBI Number (where applicable for federal fingerprint submissions)
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and jail facility
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bail or bond amount and conditions
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court jurisdiction (e.g., Chesterfield County Circuit Court)
- Filing date and assigned judge
- Charges and applicable statutes, including felony or misdemeanor classification
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, nolo contendere)
- Attorney of record (defense and prosecution)
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details: type of sentence, length of incarceration, fines, restitution, and special conditions
- Probation or parole terms
- Appeals filed and outcomes
Additional Record Elements:
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
- Pending charges and scheduled hearing dates
How Long Does Chesterfield County Keep Criminal Records?
Chesterfield County and the State of South Carolina maintain criminal records according to retention schedules established under state law and administrative regulation. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History publishes official records retention schedules applicable to county agencies.
Current retention periods for principal criminal record categories include:
- Felony conviction records: Retained permanently by the Clerk of Court and SLED
- Misdemeanor conviction records: Retained for a minimum of ten years following final disposition; many are retained permanently
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum of three years; subject to expungement upon court order
- Jail booking records: Retained for a minimum of three years by the Sheriff's Office
- Court case files (Circuit Court): Permanent retention for felony cases; misdemeanor case files retained for a minimum of ten years
- Juvenile records: Retained until the subject reaches age 18 or for five years from the date of the last hearing, whichever is longer, then eligible for destruction pursuant to § 63-19-2050
- Expunged records: Destroyed or sealed upon issuance of a court expungement order; agencies are required to purge all references
State agencies, including SLED, are required to maintain criminal history records in accordance with standards set by the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and applicable South Carolina administrative regulations. Members of the public seeking to confirm whether a specific record has been retained or expunged may submit a written inquiry to the Clerk of Court or SLED.
Lookup Criminal Records in Chesterfield County
- Citizens Access to Criminal Histories (CATCH) — Search South Carolina criminal records by name through the SLED online portal
- South Carolina DSS Child Abuse and Neglect Portal — Access South Carolina Department of Social Services public records related to child welfare proceedings