Criminal records in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, are accessible through several channels. ChesterfieldSCCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index, the SLED CATCH system, the Chesterfield County Clerk of Court's office, and law enforcement agencies. Criminal cases in the county are prosecuted through the 4th Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office.
How to Search Criminal Records in Chesterfield
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Chesterfield County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need official or unofficial results.
Online Search Options
- ChesterfieldSCCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available criminal court record information by name or case number.
- South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index — This statewide portal lets you search court records across South Carolina counties. Select Chesterfield County, then search by party name or case number. Note that this site displays public records only and is not considered an official record of the county.
- SLED CATCH (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories) — The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division provides name-based criminal history searches. You can view and print South Carolina criminal records through this system.
- SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon — Search the offender database for individuals under state supervision.
- Traffic Tickets and Court Payments — For traffic-related criminal matters, select Chesterfield County and enter your case or ticket number to look up and pay fines.
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina — For federal criminal cases, use the PACER system through this court's website.
In Person
- Visit the Chesterfield County Clerk of Court at the courthouse in Chesterfield. Public access terminals may be available for case lookups.
- Ask the clerk's office staff for assistance locating specific case files or docket entries.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Chesterfield County Clerk of Court. Include the subject's full legal name, date of birth (if known), and any case numbers.
- For a statewide criminal history, submit a request to SLED. Fingerprint-based background checks provide the most comprehensive results.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required for online searches)
- Case number (if searching by case)
- Government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
Search Chesterfield Criminal Cases by Case Number
South Carolina court case numbers follow a standard format that tells you the county, year, case type, and sequence. A typical Chesterfield County criminal case number looks like this:
- County code — A two-digit number identifying Chesterfield County (13)
- Year — The two- or four-digit filing year
- Case type prefix — Indicates the type of case. Common criminal prefixes include:
- GS — General Sessions (felonies and serious misdemeanors)
- MG — Magistrate (minor criminal offenses)
- Sequence number — A sequential number assigned when the case is filed
For example, a case number like 2024-GS-13-00456 would indicate a 2024 General Sessions case filed in Chesterfield County. If you have a case number, you can enter it directly into the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index or use it at the clerk's office for faster retrieval.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Chesterfield
Criminal case records in Chesterfield County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The South Carolina Code of Laws section the defendant is charged under (e.g., S.C. Code § 16-13-30 for larceny) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — determines which court handles the case |
| Amended charges | Original charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion |
General Sessions Court in Chesterfield handles felonies and misdemeanors carrying more than 30 days of potential jail time. Magistrate Court handles minor offenses.
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are underway
- Disposed — A final decision has been reached
- Closed — All matters in the case are concluded, including sentencing and post-trial motions
Hearing Types
- Bond hearing — Initial appearance to set bail conditions
- Preliminary hearing — Magistrate determines whether probable cause exists
- Arraignment — Defendant enters a plea in General Sessions Court
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case status, possible plea agreements
- Trial — Bench or jury trial
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up on probation compliance or other conditions
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court
- Nolle prosequi — Prosecution elects not to pursue the case
- Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial
- Pled to lesser charge — Original charge reduced as part of a plea agreement
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Chesterfield
Certified copies of criminal records carry the court's official seal and can be used for legal proceedings, employment verification, and other formal purposes.
Where to Request
- Chesterfield County Clerk of Court — Handles certified copies of court records for General Sessions and Common Pleas cases filed in the county.
- SLED — Provides certified criminal history reports based on name or fingerprint searches. Fingerprint-based checks are typically required for licensing and employment purposes.
Chesterfield County Clerk of Court
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Clerk of Court's office at the courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Ask the clerk for certified copies of specific case documents.
- By mail — Send a written request to the Clerk of Court at the address above. Include:
- Full name of the individual
- Case number (if known)
- Date of birth
- A copy of your government-issued ID
- Payment for applicable fees (check or money order payable to Chesterfield County Clerk of Court)
- Through SLED — For a statewide criminal history, visit SLED CATCH for a name-based search or contact SLED directly for a fingerprint-based background check.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Chesterfield
Fees for criminal records in Chesterfield County are set by South Carolina statute and local court policy.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Document copies (per page) | $0.50 | Standard per-page rate for court documents |
| Certification fee | $1.00 per document | Added to copy costs for certified copies bearing the court seal |
| SLED CATCH name-based search | $25.00 | Online payment accepted; results available immediately |
| SLED fingerprint-based background check | $25.00 | Processing may take several business days; required for certain employment and licensing checks |
| Search fee (clerk's office) | Varies | Contact the clerk's office for current search fees |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Typically fulfilled the same day if the records are readily accessible
- Mail requests — Allow 5–10 business days for processing and return mailing
- SLED CATCH online — Name-based results are usually available immediately after payment
- SLED fingerprint checks — May take several business days depending on volume
Fees referenced above are based on South Carolina Code § 8-21-310 (clerk of court fees) and SLED's published fee schedule. Contact the Chesterfield County Clerk of Court to confirm current rates before submitting payment.