Criminal records in Beaufort County, South Carolina, are accessible through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. BeaufortCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Beaufort County Clerk of Court, the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) each provide additional access points for searching and obtaining criminal records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Beaufort County
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Beaufort County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and what type of record you need.
Online Search Options
- BeaufortCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information. You can search by name or case number to locate criminal case details filed in Beaufort County.
- South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index — This statewide portal allows you to search court records across South Carolina's circuit and family courts. Select Beaufort County to narrow results. You can search by party name or case number.
- SLED CATCH — Citizens Access to Criminal Histories (CATCH) is a name-based search that returns South Carolina criminal arrest history. A non-refundable fee of $25.00 applies per search.
- Beaufort County Inmate Inquiry System — Use this tool to look up individuals currently held at the Beaufort County Detention Center.
- SC Department of Corrections Inmate Search — Search for individuals sentenced to and incarcerated in a state correctional facility.
- SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services Offender Search — Look up individuals currently under state supervision.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known — the fastest way to locate a specific case)
- SSN or SID number (required for some SLED searches)
In-Person Search
Visit the Beaufort County Clerk of Court office to access public court records. Public access terminals may be available for searching case information. Staff can assist with locating specific case files.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Submit a written request to the Beaufort County Clerk of Court at the address above. Include the full name of the individual, case number if available, and the type of record needed.
- Statewide criminal history: Submit a request through SLED CATCH online, or contact SLED directly for fingerprint-based background checks.
- FOIA requests: Beaufort County accepts Freedom of Information Act requests for certain government records, including some law enforcement records.
Search Beaufort County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Searching by case number is the most direct way to pull up a specific criminal case. South Carolina case numbers follow a structured format that identifies the county, year, case type, and sequence.
A typical South Carolina criminal case number looks like this:
- County code — A two-digit number identifying the county (Beaufort County is 07)
- Year — The two-digit year the case was filed
- Case type prefix — Letters indicating the type of case (e.g., "GS" for General Sessions, which handles felonies and serious misdemeanors)
- Sequence number — A sequential number assigned to the case
For example, a case number like 2024A0710000123 or 07-2024-GS-00123 would indicate a General Sessions case filed in Beaufort County in 2024. The exact formatting can vary slightly depending on the court system or database you use.
Enter the full case number into the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index or into the search tool on BeaufortCourt.us to retrieve case details. Magistrate court cases in Beaufort County use a separate numbering convention and may need to be looked up through the magistrate court directly.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Beaufort County
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 petit larceny) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction. Felonies are heard in General Sessions Court; misdemeanors may be heard in Magistrate or Municipal Court |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or at the solicitor's discretion. The original and amended charges both appear in the case record |
| Multiple counts | A single case may include several charges, each listed separately with its own statute code and severity |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting court action
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing (hearings scheduled, motions filed)
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All court obligations have been fulfilled, including any sentence, fines, or probation
Hearing Types
- Bond hearing — Determines whether the defendant will be released before trial and under what conditions
- Preliminary hearing — A judge reviews whether probable cause exists to send the case to a grand jury (felonies)
- Arraignment — The defendant enters a formal plea
- Pre-trial hearing — Addresses motions, discovery issues, and possible plea agreements
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The judge imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — Monitors compliance with probation or other court-ordered conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — The solicitor or judge dismissed the charges (nolle prosequi or court order)
- Nolle prosequi — The solicitor elected not to prosecute; the case may potentially be refiled
- Mistrial — The trial ended without a verdict and may be retried
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Beaufort County
From the Clerk of Court
The Beaufort County Clerk of Court is the custodian of General Sessions (criminal) court records. You can request certified copies of court documents including indictments, dispositions, and sentencing orders.
How to submit a request:
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Court office at the address below. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request that includes the defendant's full name, case number (if known), date of birth, and the specific documents you need. Include payment for applicable fees.
From SLED (Statewide Criminal History)
For a comprehensive South Carolina criminal history report, use SLED CATCH for a name-based search. Fingerprint-based background checks for employment or licensing purposes must be submitted through SLED directly. Contact the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for fingerprint card instructions and submission procedures.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport)
- If requesting records on behalf of another person, written authorization or a court order may be required
Other Record Sources
For records related to the Beaufort County Detention Center, contact the facility directly. The Beaufort County Records Management office can direct you to the appropriate department for specific record types.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Beaufort County
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SLED CATCH criminal history search | $25.00 (non-refundable) | Name-based search; results available online immediately |
| Court record copies (non-certified) | Varies; typically $0.25–$0.50 per page | Contact the Clerk of Court for current per-page rates |
| Certified copies of court documents | Varies by document type | Certification fee applies in addition to per-page copy costs; contact the Clerk of Court for exact amounts |
| SLED fingerprint-based background check | $25.00+ | Fee may vary depending on purpose (employment, licensing); contact SLED for current schedule |
| FOIA request copies | Per-page fees apply per S.C. Code § 30-4-30 | Fees must not exceed actual cost of search and duplication |
Processing Times
- SLED CATCH (online): Results are typically available immediately after payment
- Clerk of Court (in person): Simple record lookups can often be completed the same day; certified copies may take several business days
- Clerk of Court (by mail): Allow 5–10 business days for processing, plus mailing time
- FOIA requests: Beaufort County must respond within 15 business days under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code § 30-4-30). Complex requests may take longer with written notice
Fees are subject to change. Contact the Clerk of Court at (843) 255-5700 or SLED directly to confirm current fee schedules before submitting a request.