Court records in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, are maintained by the Clerk of Court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. ChesterfieldSCCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Chesterfield County. You can also search case records through the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index, visit the clerk's office in person, or use state-level government resources to locate the records you need.
Chesterfield Court System Overview
Chesterfield County is part of South Carolina's 4th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Darlington, Dillon, and Marlboro counties. Circuit Court judges rotate among the counties in this circuit to hear General Sessions (criminal) and Common Pleas (civil) cases. South Carolina's unified court system is administered by the state's Chief Justice and the Office of Court Administration. At the county level, the Clerk of Court manages case files, processes filings, and maintains public records. Magistrate courts in Chesterfield County handle lower-level criminal and civil matters. The Chesterfield County Probate Court operates separately for estate and guardianship proceedings.
Courts Serving Chesterfield
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Chesterfield County Circuit Court (Court of General Sessions & Common Pleas) | 200 West Main Street, Chesterfield, SC 29709 | (843) 623-2574 |
| Chesterfield County Magistrate Court | 200 West Main Street, Chesterfield, SC 29709 | (843) 623-2574 |
| Chesterfield County Probate Court | 200 West Main Street, Chesterfield, SC 29709 | (843) 623-2263 |
| Chesterfield County Family Court | 200 West Main Street, Chesterfield, SC 29709 | (843) 623-2574 |
| U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina (Florence Division) | 401 West Evans Street, Florence, SC 29501 | (843) 676-3820 |
What Types of Cases Chesterfield Courts Hear
Courts in Chesterfield County handle a broad range of case types across multiple divisions:
- Criminal: Felonies (General Sessions), misdemeanors, infractions, and traffic offenses (Magistrate Court)
- Civil: Lawsuits above and below the magistrate jurisdictional limit, small claims
- Family: Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, adoption, termination of parental rights, and civil protection orders
- Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters
- Juvenile: Delinquency proceedings, child protective cases, and status offenses
The sections below explain which court handles each category and how cases move through the system.
District Court Cases in Chesterfield
In South Carolina, the Circuit Court serves as the court of general jurisdiction. In Chesterfield County, the Court of General Sessions hears all felony criminal cases, including those bound over from magistrate preliminary hearings. The Court of Common Pleas handles civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $7,500. Circuit Court judges are assigned on a rotating basis across the 4th Judicial Circuit. Cases typically arrive at Circuit Court after indictment by a grand jury (criminal) or upon filing of a summons and complaint (civil). Appeals from magistrate court decisions are also heard at the Circuit Court level. Post-conviction relief proceedings are filed here as well.
Magistrate Court Cases in Chesterfield
Chesterfield County Magistrate Courts handle a significant volume of cases, including:
- Misdemeanors and criminal offenses carrying penalties of up to 30 days in jail or a $500 fine (or both)
- Preliminary hearings for felony charges
- Civil cases with amounts in controversy up to $7,500
- Small claims matters (generally up to $7,500 under South Carolina law)
- Traffic violations and DUI arraignments
- Restraining orders and certain warrant applications
You can pay traffic tickets and court fines online through the state's payment portal by selecting Chesterfield County and entering your case or ticket number. Magistrate judges may be assigned to handle specific dockets depending on caseload volume.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Chesterfield
Family Law
Chesterfield County Family Court handles divorce, custody, child support, visitation, paternity, adoption, termination of parental rights, and civil protection orders. Family Court is a division of the Circuit Court in South Carolina, and cases are heard by Family Court judges assigned to the 4th Judicial Circuit. Certified copies of divorce reports can also be obtained from the South Carolina Department of Public Health, while marriage certificates and other vital records are available through the same agency.
Probate
The Chesterfield County Probate Court handles decedent estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters. The Probate Judge is a locally elected official. Contact the Probate Court directly at (843) 623-2263 for filing requirements and fee schedules.
Juvenile
Juvenile cases — including delinquency proceedings and child protective matters — are heard in Family Court. Juvenile records in South Carolina are confidential and are not available through public case search portals. Contact the Clerk of Court or the Department of Juvenile Justice for information about specific proceedings.
How Cases Move Through the Chesterfield Court System
- Filing or initiation: Criminal cases begin with an arrest, warrant, or grand jury indictment. Civil cases start when a plaintiff files a summons and complaint. Family and probate matters begin with a petition.
- Assignment to judge: Cases are assigned to a Circuit, Family, or Probate Court judge. General Sessions and Common Pleas cases are assigned to rotating circuit judges.
- Initial hearings: Criminal defendants appear for a bond hearing or arraignment. Civil parties attend a scheduling or status conference. Family Court cases may include a temporary hearing.
- Pre-trial phase: This includes motions, discovery, plea negotiations (criminal), and mediation or settlement discussions (civil and family).
- Trial or resolution: Cases proceed to trial (bench or jury), guilty plea, settlement, consent order, or default judgment.
- Post-judgment: Criminal cases may involve sentencing, probation, or appeal. Civil cases may involve enforcement of judgment or appeal to the South Carolina Court of Appeals.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Chesterfield
The courts in Chesterfield County are administered under the South Carolina Judicial Department's unified court system. The Chief Judge for Administrative Purposes in the 4th Judicial Circuit oversees scheduling and operational matters for Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, and Marlboro counties. The 4th Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office prosecutes criminal offenses in these counties.
Under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code § 30-4-10 et seq.), most court records are generally public. Exceptions include juvenile records, sealed records, adoption files, and certain family court proceedings. To request copies of court records, contact the Clerk of Court at the Chesterfield County Courthouse. Certified copies typically require a fee.
The South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index allows online searches of court case information, though it notes that results are not official records of the county. For official certified documents, visit the clerk's office in person or submit a written request.
Hearings in Chesterfield County are generally open to the public. Some proceedings may be conducted remotely; contact the clerk's office to confirm whether a specific hearing will be held in person or by video or telephone.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Chesterfield
- Court case search: Use the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index to search for case records by name, case number, or other criteria. Results include case type, filing date, and disposition information.
- Traffic ticket payments: Pay traffic tickets and court fines online by selecting Chesterfield County and entering your ticket or case number.
- Criminal history records: The SLED CATCH system (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories) lets you search South Carolina criminal records by name.
- Law enforcement information: The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) provides statewide criminal justice resources, including the sex offender registry.
- Probation and pardon records: The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services maintains an offender database and accepts online fee and restitution payments.
- Vital records: The South Carolina Department of Public Health issues certified copies of birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce reports.
- Historical and archival records: The SC Department of Archives and History holds historical Chesterfield County records, including deed books and court documents — noting that many early records were destroyed in March 1865.
- Federal court records: For federal cases, access records through the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina via the PACER electronic filing system.
- Clerk of Court office: For certified copies, public records requests, or general questions, visit or call the Chesterfield County Clerk of Court at (843) 623-2574. You can also visit ChesterfieldSCCourt.us for additional court record information.