Court records in Beaufort 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. BeaufortCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Beaufort County. Additional access points include the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index, the Beaufort County Clerk of Court office, and other state and county government resources.
Beaufort Court System Overview
Beaufort County is part of South Carolina's 14th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties. The South Carolina court system is a unified structure with the Circuit Court (Court of General Sessions for criminal matters and Court of Common Pleas for civil matters) serving as the general trial court. Below the Circuit Court, Magistrate Courts handle lower-level criminal and civil cases. Beaufort County also has a separate Family Court division that hears domestic and juvenile matters. The Beaufort County Clerk of Court maintains records for the Circuit Court and serves as the filing office for most case types.
Courts Serving Beaufort
Several courts at the state and federal level serve Beaufort County residents:
Beaufort County Circuit Court (Court of General Sessions / Court of Common Pleas)
Beaufort County Magistrate Court
Beaufort County Family Court
Beaufort County Probate Court
Municipal Courts
- City of Beaufort Municipal Court – 1911 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC 29902 – Phone: (843) 525-7070
- Town of Bluffton Municipal Court – 20 Bridge Street, Bluffton, SC 29910 – Phone: (843) 706-4500
- Town of Hilton Head Island Municipal Court – 1 Town Center Court, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 – Phone: (843) 341-4700
United States District Court for the District of South Carolina (Beaufort Division)
What Types of Cases Beaufort Courts Hear
Courts in Beaufort County handle a wide range of case types across multiple divisions:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, infractions, DUI cases
- Civil: Lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury, real property matters
- Small claims: Civil disputes under the magistrate court dollar limit
- Family law: Divorce, custody, child support, alimony, domestic abuse protection orders, paternity, adoption
- Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships
- Juvenile: Delinquency proceedings, child protective cases
- Traffic: Moving violations, parking infractions
District Court Cases in Beaufort
In South Carolina, the Circuit Court functions as the court of general jurisdiction. The Court of General Sessions hears all felony criminal cases, while the Court of Common Pleas handles civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $7,500. Circuit Court judges rotate through the 14th Judicial Circuit and are assigned to Beaufort County terms of court throughout the year. Felony cases typically arrive at General Sessions after a preliminary hearing or indictment by a grand jury. Civil cases are initiated by filing a summons and complaint with the Clerk of Court. Appeals from Magistrate Court decisions are also heard at the Circuit Court level.
Magistrate Court Cases in Beaufort
Beaufort County Magistrate Court handles criminal cases involving misdemeanors and offenses punishable by a fine up to $500 or imprisonment up to 30 days (or both). The court also conducts preliminary hearings for felony cases. On the civil side, magistrate courts hear cases where the amount in controversy is $7,500 or less. Small claims matters — typically informal civil disputes — also fall under this limit. Traffic violations, including non-DUI moving violations, are processed through Magistrate Court. Under South Carolina law (S.C. Code § 22-5-110), Beaufort County Magistrate Court no longer issues arrest warrants to private citizens; only law enforcement may obtain warrants.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Beaufort
Family law: Beaufort County Family Court hears divorce, custody, child support, alimony, domestic abuse protection orders, paternity, termination of parental rights, and adoption cases. For records related to these matters, contact the Family Court at (843) 255-5660 or visit the Beaufort County Records Management page.
Probate: The Beaufort County Probate Court handles decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters. The Probate Court operates separately from the Circuit Court and has its own judge and filing procedures. Contact the Probate Court at (843) 255-5720.
Juvenile: Juvenile delinquency and child protective proceedings are heard in Family Court. Juvenile records are confidential under South Carolina law and are not available through public search portals.
How Cases Move Through the Beaufort Court System
- Filing / Initiation: Criminal cases begin with an arrest or a warrant issued to law enforcement. Civil cases start when a plaintiff files a summons and complaint. Family cases are initiated by petition.
- Assignment: Cases are assigned to a judge. Circuit Court judges rotate through Beaufort County on scheduled terms.
- Initial Hearings: Criminal defendants appear for a bond hearing or arraignment. Civil parties attend a scheduling conference or initial hearing.
- Pre-Trial Phase: Both sides exchange discovery, file motions, and may engage in plea negotiations (criminal) or settlement discussions (civil).
- Trial or Resolution: Cases proceed to trial (jury or bench), guilty plea, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment: Criminal cases move to sentencing. Civil judgments may be appealed or enforced. Appeals from Circuit Court go to the South Carolina Court of Appeals.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Beaufort
The 14th Judicial Circuit is administered by a chief administrative judge and supported by a court administration office. Local court rules for the circuit govern scheduling, motion practice, and courtroom procedures.
Public access to records: Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act and court administrative rules, most court records are generally public. You can submit a FOIA request to Beaufort County for certain government records. Exceptions include sealed records, juvenile files, adoption records, and certain Family Court matters. The South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index allows online searches of court case information statewide.
Attending hearings: Court proceedings in Beaufort County are generally open to the public. Some hearings may be conducted remotely; check with the Clerk of Court or the specific court division for current procedures.
Contact for court administration:
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Beaufort
- Court case search: The South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index provides online access to search court case records across the state, including Beaufort County.
- Traffic ticket payments: Pay traffic tickets online through the South Carolina traffic tickets and court payments portal.
- Clerk of Court and public records: Visit the Beaufort County Clerk of Court for certified copies, case filings, and general records inquiries.
- Property and deed records: Search land records, mortgages, and liens through the Beaufort County Register of Deeds public search or learn more at the Register of Deeds office page.
- Criminal background checks: SLED CATCH (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories) provides name-based South Carolina criminal records searches for a $25 non-refundable fee.
- Inmate search (county): Use the Beaufort County Detention Center inmate inquiry system to look up individuals currently held at the county facility.
- Inmate search (state): The South Carolina Department of Corrections inmate search covers individuals sentenced to state prison.
- Probation and parole: Search the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services offender search for individuals under state supervision.
- Vital records: Certified copies of marriage certificates and divorce decrees that occurred in South Carolina can be requested through the South Carolina Department of Public Health Vital Records office.
- Historical and genealogical records: The SC Department of Archives and History maintains historical county and state records useful for genealogical research.
- SLED and law enforcement resources: The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division provides background check services, crime statistics, and sex offender registry information.