Charleston County SC Arrest Records Search | Jail & Court

ByArrest Guider
Charleston County, South Carolina · Booking, warrant, report and criminal-court guide

Find a Charleston County Booking and Verify the Court Result

Search current custody or a previous booking, verify the person and record the inmate, arrest and case numbers before relying on any charge.

This guide also covers Sheriff reports, General Sessions and Summary Court cases, warrants, bond, visits, digital mail, calls, commissary, public defenders, victim advocates, SLED checks and expungement.

Run the official arrest search Search the court record Fix a missing result
CHARLESTON RECORD ROUTER LIVE
SHERIFF ARREST SEARCH BOOKINGS
CURRENT
PAST
COURT
GENERAL SESSIONS
OUTCOME VERIFIED
BOOKING + COURT MATCHED
Arrest does not mean conviction. The Sheriff search displays custody and booking information, not a finding of guilt. The prosecutor may change or dismiss charges, and a court may acquit the defendant or enter a different disposition.
Current inmate

Search without selecting Past Bookings.

Previous arrest

Select Show Past Bookings.

Warrant check

Search online, then confirm with the Warrants Unit.

Court outcome

Use the Charleston County Public Index.

Official review

Procedures checked July 31, 2026.

Start here

Which Charleston County record answers your question?

SHERIFF ARREST SEARCH Is the person in jail?

Use current or past bookings to find inmate numbers, booking dates, charges, bonds, holds and release information.

Best first step for a recent Charleston County arrest.
ARRESTING AGENCY What did officers report?

Request the incident report, arrest report, probable-cause document or releasable supplement from the agency that created it.

The jail may not own a city police report.
PUBLIC INDEX What happened in court?

Find formal charges, indictment details, attorneys, hearings, bond entries, status, disposition and disposition date.

The filed charge can differ from the booking charge.
SLED CATCH Do you need statewide history?

Search name-based South Carolina criminal-history information submitted to SLED.

It does not include wanted-person information.
Most reliable sequence: Find the booking, copy the inmate and case numbers, identify the arresting agency, search the appropriate court and locate the final disposition.

Go directly to the Charleston County task

Official booking search

How to search current and past Charleston County arrests

Open the official Sheriff search Use the Charleston County government inmate-search system rather than a paid people-search advertisement. Open Charleston County Arrest Search
Start with the last name A surname-only search reduces the risk of losing a result because of a shortened first name, missing middle name or spelling variation.
Add the first name gradually Add the legal first name only when the surname produces too many possible matches.
Enable Sounds Like when spelling is uncertain Use the phonetic option for similar spellings, aliases or names entered differently during intake.
Use booking or arrest dates Enter dates in the requested month/day/year format and begin with a wider range when the exact day is uncertain.
Search by inmate number when known An inmate number is safer than a name-only search and can reopen the correct record directly.
Select Show Past Bookings when necessary Use this option for a previous arrest or when the person no longer appears among current inmates.
Open every possible match Compare the year of birth, booking date, arrest date, arresting agency, inmate number and case information.
Record each charge separately One booking may contain several charges, bond conditions, warrants or outside holds.
Continue to the court record Use the linked South Carolina case search or Charleston County Public Index to determine what was formally filed. Open Charleston County Public Index
Available search tools: last name, first name, booking-date range, arrest-date range, Sounds Like, inmate number and Show Past Bookings.
Booking decoder

What a Charleston County arrest result means

Booking fields, limits and best next actions
Field What it identifies What it does not prove Next action
Inmate number The person inside the Charleston County detention system. The final court outcome. Use it for visits, mail, deposits and jail questions.
Booking number A particular intake or custody episode. That every allegation became a filed charge. Use it to distinguish separate arrests.
Booking date When jail intake was recorded. The exact time of the alleged offense. Compare it with the arrest and report dates.
Arrest date The date law enforcement recorded the arrest. When the prosecutor filed the case. Use it to locate the agency report and court case.
Arresting agency The department responsible for the arrest. The Sheriff owns the investigative report. Request the report from the listed agency.
Booking charge An allegation entered during arrest or intake. What the Solicitor ultimately prosecuted. Check the General Sessions or Summary Court docket.
Bond amount A release entry connected to a charge or case. Payment will clear another charge or hold. Confirm every bond and detainer before paying.
Hold or detainer Another agency or court may control release. The displayed local bond controls custody. Ask which agency owns the hold.
Release date When the listed custody episode ended. Dismissal, acquittal or innocence. Read the court disposition.
Booking photograph An image taken during intake. Identity by itself, prosecution or guilt. Match the inmate number and year of birth.
Identity protection

Confirm the correct person before relying on a record

Full first and last name are consistent
Middle name, suffix or alias is consistent
Year of birth or age matches
Booking date matches the known event
Arresting agency matches the location
Inmate or booking number matches another record
Court case follows the same incident
Charge and arrest timeline are consistent
Minimum standard: Confirm at least two independent identifiers before sending money, contacting an employer, publishing an accusation or treating a result as belonging to a particular person.
Same name, different year of birth Treat the results as different people unless the record custodian confirms a clerical error.
Similar photo, different inmate number The official number is more reliable than visual resemblance.
Current and past bookings appear Open each custody event and match the correct arrest date and agency.
Court address is not displayed South Carolina public indexes stopped displaying home addresses beginning January 1, 2026. Use stronger identifiers.
Troubleshooting

No Charleston County record found? Check these causes

Booking is still being processed Fingerprinting, identification, medical screening and data entry can delay a recent result.
Past Bookings was not selected A released person may not appear in the current-inmate result.
The spelling is different Search the last name alone and enable Sounds Like.
The date filter is too narrow Remove the date range or expand it by several days.
A municipal agency made the arrest The report may belong to Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant or another police department.
The person was transferred Check another county, South Carolina Department of Corrections or federal custody.
The case is in a different court A lower-level offense may be in Magistrate or Municipal Court rather than General Sessions.
The record is restricted Juvenile, expunged, sealed, victim-related or legally confidential information may be unavailable.
Missing-booking call script
I am trying to confirm the custody or booking status of [full legal name], year or date of birth [date]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency]. Can you confirm whether the person is being booked, currently held, released, transferred or listed under another identifier?
Full case lifecycle

What happens from Charleston County arrest to disposition?

Law-enforcement incident The arresting agency creates an incident report, arrest report, probable-cause information and related evidence records.
Detention-center booking The jail verifies identity, records fingerprints and property, assigns an inmate number and enters received charges or holds.
Bond hearing The Centralized Bond Hearing Court may address release, bond and related conditions.
Prosecutor review The Ninth Circuit Solicitor reviews eligible General Sessions matters and decides what to prosecute.
Indictment or waiver A General Sessions case may show a true-bill date, indictment number or waiver information.
Hearings and case preparation The docket may show attorneys, bond entities, court rosters, motions, plea hearings or trial settings.
Final disposition The case can end through dismissal, nolle prosequi, plea, conviction, acquittal or another judicial order.
Correction or expungement Incorrect information can be challenged, while an eligible charge may qualify for destruction of arrest records.
Correct record holder

Which Charleston County office has the record?

Send the request to the agency that created or maintains the record
Record needed Likely custodian What to provide Common mistake
Current or past booking Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center Name, birth information, inmate number and booking date. Requesting current custody from the Clerk.
Charleston County Sheriff report Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Incident date, location, report number and involved names. Using the online incident-report form to request an existing report.
Municipal police report The city or town police department that made the arrest Agency case number, date and location. Assuming the county jail created every report.
General Sessions case Charleston County Clerk of Court Case number and party names. Treating the booking allegation as the final charge.
Magistrate criminal case The Magistrate Court where the case was filed Case number, defendant and court location. Searching only General Sessions.
Municipal Court case The applicable city or town court Citation or case number and defendant name. Assuming every municipal matter appears in the county index.
Statewide South Carolina history South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Accurate name and date of birth. Expecting CATCH to include active warrants.
Sheriff reports and FOIA

Request a Charleston County Sheriff arrest report

Call before filing a formal request. The Sheriff’s Office advises asking the records staff whether the information can be provided without a formal Freedom of Information Act request.
Confirm the Sheriff created the report Check the booking’s arresting-agency field before sending the request.
Name the exact documents Ask for the incident report, arrest report, probable-cause document and identified releasable supplements.
Provide narrow identifiers Include the full name, incident date, location, report number, inmate number, booking number and court case number.
Ask whether you qualify for a victim copy South Carolina law and the Sheriff’s published procedure provide the victim a copy of the incident report without a fee.
Request electronic delivery Electronic delivery can reduce copying and mailing charges.
Set a cost limit Ask for a written estimate before research or copying exceeds a stated amount.
Submit a written FOIA request when required Use the official Sheriff form for the final submission. Open Sheriff FOIA information
Copy-ready records request
Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, I request an electronic copy of the releasable incident report, arrest report, probable-cause document and releasable supplements concerning [full legal name] for the incident on or about [date and time] at [location]. Known identifiers are Sheriff report number [number], inmate or booking number [number] and court case number [number]. Please provide a written cost estimate before processing if the total will exceed $[amount], and identify the legal basis for withheld or redacted material.

Published response and fee rules

Charleston County Sheriff’s FOIA guidance
Issue Published rule What to do
Ordinary request Written response generally due within 10 business days, excluding weekends and legal public holidays. Track the submission date and agency response.
Records older than two years Initial response period increases to 20 days. Provide precise dates and identifiers.
Research and copies The agency may charge reasonable actual research and reproduction costs. Set a written cost ceiling.
Victim incident report The Sheriff’s Office states that the victim is not charged for the report copy. Identify yourself as the victim and provide identification if requested.
Sheriff Public Information
Phone: 843-958-2114
Public Information Officer email: ADouglas@CharlestonCounty.org
Records-support phone: 843-554-2495
Charleston County Public Index

Find formal charges, hearings and final disposition

Open the official Public Index Use the Charleston County system for Circuit Court and available lower-court records. Open Charleston County Public Index
Choose the criminal search Search by case number when known or use the defendant’s first and last name.
Confirm the court agency General Sessions, Magistrate and Municipal Court records may follow different paths.
Match the year of birth and arrest date Home-address information is no longer displayed in the public index, so use stronger identifiers.
Read the case number carefully Save both the arrest-related case number and any General Sessions indictment number displayed.
Check the status and disposition separately Pending means the case is unresolved. Disposed means an outcome exists, but you must read the disposition.
Review associated parties The index may identify the defendant, defense lawyer, Solicitor, officer and bond entity.
Check true-bill, waiver and indictment fields These fields help explain how a General Sessions charge moved forward.
Locate the disposition date and judge Use the final outcome rather than relying on a closed or disposed label alone.
Request a copy when the index is insufficient Obtain the complaint, indictment, dismissal, sentencing sheet or certified disposition from the Clerk.
The Ninth Circuit Solicitor also provides case notes for added prosecutorial context, but the Solicitor states that those notes are not the official court record. Use the Clerk’s Public Index and court file as the controlling source.
Open statewide South Carolina case search Check Solicitor case information
Court routing

General Sessions, Magistrate or Municipal Court?

General Sessions

Handles serious state criminal prosecutions. The Clerk maintains warrants, indictments, filings, case events, judgments and records.

Magistrate Court

Handles qualifying criminal and traffic offenses within statutory limits, along with bond and preliminary-hearing functions.

Municipal Court

Handles city-ordinance, traffic and qualifying criminal matters arising within the municipality.

Charleston County Magistrates generally have criminal-trial jurisdiction over offenses punishable by a fine not exceeding $500, imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or both. The exact charge and filing determine the correct court.

Important Leeds Avenue courts

Centralized Bond Hearing Court
3831 Leeds Avenue, Suite 200
North Charleston, SC 29405

843-746-9822

Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Centralized Preliminary Hearing Court
3831 Leeds Avenue, Suite 100
North Charleston, SC 29405

843-745-2390

Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Lunch: 1:00–2:00 p.m.

Court copies and fees

Obtain an ordinary or certified criminal court document

Identify the exact case Record the case number, defendant and court agency.
Select the exact document Common choices include indictment, dismissal, sentencing sheet, bond order or final disposition.
Ask whether an online display is enough Do not buy certification when the recipient accepts an ordinary printout.
Prepare the written request Include the specific case number and party names.
Use the Clerk’s published payment method Mail requests should use a cashier’s check or money order payable to Charleston County Clerk of Court when payment is required.
Submit the final request Contact Common Pleas and General Sessions at the Charleston County Judicial Center. Open Clerk of Court instructions
Selected Charleston County Clerk charges
Service Published fee Use
Court-record copy $0.11 per page Ordinary Clerk-provided copy.
Certification $1 Certified proof when specifically required.
Record retrieval $4 per record Retrieval when the published schedule applies.
Exemplification $10 Enhanced authentication when specifically requested.
Criminal appeal No charge listed Court filing under the applicable procedure.
Eligible dismissed, nol-prossed or not-guilty expungement No Clerk expungement fee listed for these outcomes Eligibility and other agency fees still require confirmation.
Common Pleas and General Sessions
100 Broad Street, Suite 106
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: 843-958-5000
Fax: 843-958-5020
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Active-warrant search

Check and confirm a Charleston County warrant

Open the official warrant search Search by last name only or by first and last name. Open Charleston County Warrant Search
Start with the surname Use the first name only to narrow possible matches.
Compare identifying details A person may use false identification, and similar names can cause a mistaken match.
Check the related court case Review the newest docket entries for issue, service, recall or other warrant action.
Confirm with the Warrants Unit The Sheriff’s site states that the online database is not official confirmation that a warrant is active.
Use counsel when the warrant concerns you A lawyer can explain surrender, bond and court-appearance options.
Do not take individual enforcement action. The Sheriff warns that online information may be incomplete, incorrect or no longer current and should not be treated as probable cause for an arrest.
Charleston County Warrants Unit
Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center
3841 Leeds Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: 843-529-7391
Email: Warrants@CharlestonCounty.org
Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
After hours: 843-743-7200 or 843-202-1700
Detention center

Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center information

Address and telephone
3841 Leeds Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405

843-529-7300

Facility role

The detention center handles county jail booking, secure housing, medical services, visitation and inmate-service administration.

Published capacity

The county describes a four-building complex with capacity for up to 1,693 incarcerated people.

Confirm the current inmate number
Confirm the person remains in county custody
Read every charge and bond separately
Check for outside holds
Use only county-approved service providers
Save receipts and confirmation numbers
Scam protection: Do not send gift cards, cryptocurrency or money to a personal account because someone claims it will cause immediate release. Independently confirm the bond and payment method.
Bond and release

Confirm Charleston County bail before paying

Cash or cashier’s check

The Clerk lists a cash deposit for the amount set or an acceptable cashier’s check as a surety option.

Bonding company

An authorized bonding company may post the bail bond under South Carolina requirements.

Property bond

Qualifying land or a house in Charleston County may be pledged. Mobile homes are not accepted for this published option.

Personal recognizance

A PR release uses a court-approved form and conditions without requiring the full monetary amount.

Confirm the person and inmate number Match the name and birth information before discussing payment.
List every charge and bond A separate amount or no-bond condition may apply to each case.
Identify every hold Ask whether another county, court, probation office or federal agency controls release.
Confirm the newest court order The initial booking amount can change after the bond hearing.
Ask where payment must be completed Confirm whether the Clerk, Bond Court, detention center or authorized bonding company handles the transaction.
Verify a private bondsman Confirm licensing and obtain the premium, collateral and refund terms in writing.
Keep complete proof Save the receipt, bond agreement, transaction number and release paperwork.
Allow processing time The facility must verify the order, clear holds, complete paperwork and return property.
Bond-verification call script
I am calling about inmate number [number] for [full name]. Please confirm every active charge, the current release condition for each charge, all outside holds, accepted payment methods and whether additional court paperwork is required before release.
Online video visitation

Schedule a Charleston County inmate visit

Personal visits are currently online only. In-person access is reserved for attorneys under the published schedule, subject to facility rules and operational changes.
Confirm the person remains in custody Recheck the live arrest search immediately before creating an account. Check current custody
Allow the initial waiting period The county states that a resident generally must have been incarcerated for at least 72 hours before receiving a visit.
Create a Securus account Register using the website or official mobile application. Create the visitation account
Find the correct resident Use the displayed legal name and inmate number.
Select an available appointment Choose an open date and 30-minute session within the published operating periods.
Check the seven-day limit The published maximum is three 30-minute visits during seven calendar days.
Prepare all participants Visitors must meet age, identification, attire and conduct requirements.
Join early and remain visible Use a stable connection, appropriate room and compliant clothing throughout the session.
Published personal online-visitation periods
Session period Published hours Last scheduling time
Morning 8:00 a.m.–10:50 a.m. 10:20 a.m.
Afternoon 1:00 p.m.–4:25 p.m. 3:55 p.m.
Evening 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. 9:30 p.m.
Weekly allowance Maximum three visits per seven calendar days Each visit is 30 minutes.
An out-of-state visitor presenting out-of-state picture identification may be granted one unscheduled visit when space is available, but approval is not guaranteed.
Visitation rules

Who may visit and what conduct is prohibited?

Visitor must be at least 17 or accompanied by a parent or guardian
A resident may refuse any visitor
No visit while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
No disruptive, threatening or inappropriate behavior
Shoes and shirt are mandatory
Visitor must remain fully clothed
No halter, tank, fishnet or see-through tops
Clergy related to the resident follow general visitation rules
Identity and age

Use accurate registration details. A minor who does not meet the independent-age rule must participate with a parent or guardian.

Attire

Clothing must meet reasonable standards. The visitation officer may deny a session based on inappropriate attire.

Conduct

Disruptive behavior can end the visit immediately and may affect future visitation access.

Attorney visitation

Published in-person attorney-visitation schedule
Days Time Exception
Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Closed on county holidays.
Monday–Friday 1:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Closed on county holidays.
Monday–Friday 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. Closed on county holidays.
Securus digital mail

Address Charleston County personal inmate mail correctly

Personal correspondence

Incarcerated Individual and ID Number
Charleston, SC County Jail
C/O Securus Digital Mail Center
P.O. Box 20207
Tampa, FL 33622

Money orders only

Inmate Name and ID Number
Charleston County Detention Center
3841 Leeds Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405

Do not place a personal letter or book in the money-order mailing.

Confirm the exact inmate name and ID Recheck the official booking before addressing the envelope.
Include a complete return address Write the sender’s full name, street address, city, state and ZIP code.
Use the Tampa digital-mail address Ordinary personal mail is no longer accepted directly at the detention center.
Use standard scannable paper Paper larger than 8.5 by 11 inches and non-paper items cannot be scanned.
Use Securus messaging for faster contact Messages, photographs and videos can use the approved tablet system when available.
Understand physical-mail destruction Physical mail is destroyed 60 days after upload. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope when requesting return.

Items that are not permitted

Food or beverages
Clothing or personal-care products
Books, magazines or newspapers
Cash, checks or traveler’s checks
Stationery, envelopes, stamps, pens or pencils
Electronic or musical greeting cards
Paper clips, staples, rubber bands, stickers or glue
Prepaid phone cards
Polaroid photographs
Razors or items capable of use as a weapon
Packages or certified mail
Any item classified as contraband
The detention center provides indigent residents access to basic stationery for up to two personal letters per week when they lack sufficient canteen funds.
Telephone, tablet and e-messaging

Set up Charleston County inmate communication

First local call

After booking is complete, the resident receives an opportunity to make one free local call to family, friends or an attorney.

Later telephone calls

Calls after processing are collect in nature. Billing or call-blocking problems are handled through Securus.

Tablet access

Available services can include messaging, eBooks, education, legal resources, podcasts, music, games and rented video content.

Securus customer service
Phone: 800-844-6591
Account and services: Securus Technologies

Published electronic-message charges

Taxes are additional
Service Stamps Published cost
Standard e-message 1 stamp $0.25
Message with photo attachment 2 stamps $0.50
Message with video attachment 3 stamps $0.75
Tablet subscription Not stamp-based $5 for the first day plus the following 29 days at no additional subscription charge
Tablet and messaging access is a privilege and may not be available to every resident. Confirm availability before depositing funds.
Commissary and deposits

Deposit money without using an unapproved service

Confirm the resident and inmate number Use the exact name and number shown in the current booking.
Choose the correct account Canteen, telephone, tablet and subscription accounts may use different systems.
Use the lobby kiosk for canteen funds The detention-center lobby contains an approved deposit kiosk.
Use TouchPay for online canteen deposits Select Charleston County site number 229405. Open TouchPay deposit service
Prepare a money order correctly Make it payable to Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center and place only the resident’s name and number on the memo line.
Meet the weekly canteen cutoff Funds must be deposited before 8:00 a.m. Monday to be available for that canteen cycle.
Use Securus for phone and tablet money Do not place those funds into the canteen account by mistake.
Keep the receipt Save the site number, inmate number, amount and transaction confirmation.
Cashless facility

Residents may not possess United States currency inside the facility.

Weekly spending limit

The published commissary spending maximum is $100 per week, subject to storage and facility rules.

Care packages

Use the detention center’s approved iCare provider rather than mailing a personal package.

Open approved care packages

Property and money release

Pick up approved inmate property or funds

The resident must approve the release The resident signs the Valuable Property or Cash Release Form.
Confirm the pickup period Published release periods are 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.–4:30 a.m. daily.
Bring acceptable identification The receiving person should be prepared to verify identity.
Understand the cash restriction Cash releases are not made after an account transaction, except for a bondsman or attorney or an approved exceptional circumstance.
Expect a check in the resident’s name Released money is issued by check payable to the resident, not directly to the person collecting it.
Defense representation

Apply for a Charleston County public defender

Court-appointed counsel

Low-income defendants facing an offense that may result in jail or prison can request screening for appointed representation.

  1. Ask for counsel at the first court appearance.
  2. Complete the required indigency application.
  3. Provide truthful income, asset and expense information.
  4. Complete adult screening during the published office hours.
  5. Do not discuss case facts on recorded jail calls.

Private lawyer

  1. Use the South Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral Service.
  2. Verify that the attorney is licensed and in good standing.
  3. Ask who will personally handle hearings and trial.
  4. Request the complete fee agreement in writing.
  5. Ask whether bond, motions, trial and appeal are included.
Charleston County Public Defender
O.T. Wallace County Office Building
101 Meeting Street, 5th Floor
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: 843-958-1850
Fax: 843-958-1860
Office: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Adult in-office screening: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Open Public Defender instructions Find a South Carolina lawyer
Magistrate Courts may appoint a public defender when a charge threatens a jail sentence. North Charleston Municipal Court also contracts with the county office for indigency screening and part-time representation.
Victim and witness assistance

Contact a Charleston County victim advocate

Have the report or court case number ready The number helps staff identify the investigation and prosecution.
Request the free incident report A crime victim is entitled to a report copy under the Sheriff’s published victim-assistance procedure.
Ask for court and custody information Advocates can help explain the process, rights, restitution and available notifications.
Request referrals Services may include counseling, emergency support, compensation assistance and community-resource referrals.
Contact the Solicitor after charges are filed Prosecution-stage assistance is available through the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Victim Assistance Program.
Sheriff Victim/Witness Advocates

843-745-2250

843-745-2251

843-745-2252

Ninth Circuit Solicitor Victim Assistance

843-958-1900

Use after the criminal case enters prosecution.

Detention Center

843-529-7300

Use for jail-service and custody questions.

Community support

My Sister’s House: 843-744-3242

Tri-County S.P.E.A.K.S.: 843-745-0144

South Carolina statewide history

Use SLED CATCH when a county search is not enough

SLED CATCH provides

  • Name-based South Carolina criminal-history information.
  • Results supported by fingerprint submissions from law enforcement or detention facilities.
  • Online viewing and printing.
  • Mail-in requests with certification or notarization when specifically requested.

SLED CATCH does not provide

  • Criminal records from outside South Carolina.
  • Active wanted-person or warrant information.
  • A free nationwide background check.
  • The reliability of a fingerprint comparison for an ordinary public search.
Open SLED CATCH Accept the terms and select the appropriate user type. Run a South Carolina criminal-history search
Enter the exact name and date of birth CATCH uses a starts-with match for first name, last name and date of birth.
Add the Social Security number only when appropriate The system searches it when supplied, but sensitive information should be handled carefully.
Review possible alias or multiple-subject issues A name-based result can produce false positives or false negatives.
Print the final result Save the report number and search criteria.
Use mail when certification is required State that the result must be certified or notarized and include the required form, payment and self-addressed stamped envelope.
SLED CATCH fees effective July 2026
Request Published charge Important detail
Standard CATCH report $25 Nonrefundable South Carolina name-based search.
Online standard-report service fee $1.43 Effective July 1, 2026, according to the CATCH notice.
Reduced charitable report $8 Eligibility and account approval are required.
Online reduced-report service fee $1.14 Effective July 1, 2026.
Mail request $25 without an online service fee Cash and personal checks are not accepted.
SLED Public Dissemination Unit
Phone: 803-896-1443
Email: SLEDCATCHAcct@sled.sc.gov
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Record correction

Correct a wrong booking, court entry or SLED history

Identify which system is wrong Compare the Sheriff booking, arresting-agency report, Public Index and SLED result.
Save the incorrect information Record the URL, date, inmate number, case number and exact disputed field.
Obtain the controlling document Use a certified dismissal, sentencing sheet, amended order, agency correction or identity document.
Contact the originating agency Booking errors go to the detention or Sheriff records staff; court errors go to the court maintaining the file.
Contact SLED for a statewide-history problem Explain the inaccurate entry and follow the instructions for supporting documents.
Recheck every connected system Correcting one record does not automatically guarantee that every public or private database updates.
Correction versus expungement: Request a correction when information is factually wrong. Use expungement when the record is accurate but the charge qualifies for legal destruction or restriction.
South Carolina expungement

Remove an eligible Charleston County arrest record

SLED does not begin the expungement process and cannot remove a charge without an authorized Order for Destruction of Arrest Records.

General Sessions charge

Contact the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office Expungement Coordinator for eligibility, forms, routing and applicable fees.

Magistrate or Municipal Court dismissal

Contact the court that dismissed the charge. The lower court generally handles its eligible expungement process.

Identify every charge and court Use the booking and Public Index to separate General Sessions, Magistrate and Municipal Court matters.
Obtain the final disposition Confirm dismissal, nolle prosequi, not guilty or another potentially eligible result.
Contact the proper expungement office General Sessions questions go to the Ninth Circuit Solicitor; lower-court dismissals go to that court.
Complete the required application Provide the arrest date, charge, court, case number and identifying information.
Pay only the fees that apply to the outcome Some dismissed, nol-prossed or not-guilty matters may not carry the ordinary Clerk expungement fee, while other statutory processes may involve agency charges.
Wait for agency review and signatures The Solicitor, court, arresting agency and SLED may have separate processing roles.
Obtain the final order Keep a certified copy of the Order for Destruction of Arrest Records.
Allow SLED time to update SLED advises allowing four weeks after it receives the order.
Verify the result Purchase a new SLED CATCH report after the waiting period when confirmation is needed. Verify through SLED CATCH
Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office
101 Meeting Street, 4th Floor
Charleston, SC 29401
Expungement and general office phone: 843-958-1900
Expungement affects eligible government arrest and court records according to South Carolina law. It does not guarantee removal of every news story, screenshot or previously copied private record.
Contacts and maps

Charleston County jail, court and records contacts

Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center
3841 Leeds Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405

843-529-7300

Charleston County Sheriff
3691 Leeds Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405

843-554-2485

Clerk of Court
100 Broad Street, Suite 106
Charleston, SC 29401

843-958-5000

Magistrates Administration
4045 Bridge View Drive, Suite B-143
North Charleston, SC 29405

843-202-6600

Public Defender
101 Meeting Street, 5th Floor
Charleston, SC 29401

843-958-1850

Ninth Circuit Solicitor
101 Meeting Street, 4th Floor
Charleston, SC 29401

843-958-1900

Map to Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center

Map to Charleston County Judicial Center

Confirm before traveling: Verify current custody, the correct court or building, office hours, visitor approval and the accepted payment method.
Official-source extraction

What this Charleston County guide brings into the page

Sheriff and detention center

Current and past search fields, warrant cautions, FOIA timelines, visitor limits, digital mail, calls, messages, canteen deposits, care packages and property-release rules.

Courts and legal help

Public Index interpretation, General Sessions versus lower courts, copy fees, bond types, Public Defender screening and victim-assistance contacts.

SLED and expungement

Current CATCH fees, name-search limitations, correction routing, four-week post-order update guidance and the correct expungement starting office.

Title-related questions

Charleston County arrest-record questions answered

How do I search a current Charleston County inmate?

Open the official Sheriff arrest search, enter the last name and leave Show Past Bookings unselected. Open each possible result and verify the year of birth, inmate number and booking date.

How do I find a previous Charleston County booking?

Select Show Past Bookings and search by last name, inmate number or a booking or arrest date range.

Why does a jail charge differ from the court charge?

The jail records allegations received during arrest or intake. The Solicitor may file a different charge, amend it or decline prosecution.

How do I find the final case outcome?

Search the Charleston County Public Index and read the status, disposition, disposition date, judge and related case entries.

How do I request the arrest report?

Contact the agency that made the arrest. For a Sheriff report, provide the incident date, location, report number, inmate number and exact document needed.

How much do Clerk court copies cost?

The Clerk currently lists copies at $0.11 per page and certification at $1. Other retrieval or authentication charges may apply.

Can the online warrant result confirm an active warrant?

No. The Sheriff warns that the online listing is not official confirmation. Contact the Warrants Unit or issuing court.

What is the inmate personal-mail address?

Address personal mail to the incarcerated person and ID number, Charleston SC County Jail, care of Securus Digital Mail Center, P.O. Box 20207, Tampa, FL 33622.

How many online jail visits are allowed?

The published maximum is three 30-minute visits during seven calendar days, subject to availability and operational restrictions.

How do I expunge an eligible Charleston County charge?

Contact the Ninth Circuit Solicitor for General Sessions matters or the dismissing Magistrate or Municipal Court for an eligible lower-court charge.

Accuracy, identity and legal-use notice

Arrest Records is an independent informational guide. It is not the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center, Clerk of Court, Magistrate Court, Public Defender, Ninth Circuit Solicitor, SLED or a law firm.

Booking, bond, holds, warrants, custody, release and court information can change. Confirm the person through multiple identifiers and obtain the current official record before making a legal, employment, housing, financial, safety or publication decision.

Every arrested person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. This guide provides procedural information and is not legal advice.

Last official-source review: July 31, 2026.

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