Criminal records in Greenwood County, South Carolina, can be accessed through several channels. GreenwoodCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information tied to Greenwood County courts. Beyond that resource, official court systems — including the Circuit Court and Magistrate Court — along with the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Court, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) all serve as access points for criminal record searches and requests.
How to Search Criminal Records in Greenwood
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Greenwood County. What you need to get started depends on the method you choose, but in most cases you should have at least one of the following:
- The individual's full legal name
- Date of birth
- Case number (if known)
- Social Security Number (required for fingerprint-based state background checks)
Online Searches
- GreenwoodCourt.us — Search for publicly available Greenwood County criminal case information using a name or case number.
- SLED CATCH — Citizens Access to Criminal Histories (CATCH) allows you to view and print South Carolina criminal history records using a name-based search. This is a statewide database maintained by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
- Greenwood County Detention Center Inmate Search — The Detention Center provides an online inmate search tool for individuals currently held at the facility.
- SC Department of Corrections Inmate Search — Displays photographs and public information on inmates currently sentenced to and incarcerated at SCDC. This tool does not cover individuals held in county detention facilities or those on probation or parole.
- SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services Offender Search — Search for individuals currently under state supervision.
In Person
Visit the Greenwood County Clerk of Court office at the courthouse to search criminal case records. The Clerk's office maintains records for the Circuit Court, which handles General Sessions (criminal) cases in Greenwood County. Magistrate Court records for minor criminal offenses are maintained separately under South Carolina Court Administration.
Greenwood County Clerk of Court
By Mail or Written Request
- Clerk of Court: Submit a written request to the Greenwood County Clerk of Court at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and the case number if available. Enclose any applicable fees.
- SLED Criminal History: For a formal state criminal background check, submit a request to SLED. Fingerprint-based checks require submission of a completed fingerprint card and the applicable fee. Name-based searches are available through the CATCH system online.
Search Greenwood Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is more direct. South Carolina uses a standardized case numbering format across its courts. A typical General Sessions (criminal) case number in Greenwood County follows this pattern:
YYYY-GS-24-XXXXX
- YYYY — The four-digit year the case was filed
- GS — The case type code (GS stands for General Sessions, which covers criminal cases in Circuit Court)
- 24 — The county code for Greenwood County in South Carolina's judicial system
- XXXXX — A sequential number assigned to the case
Magistrate Court criminal cases may use a different prefix, such as "CR" for criminal. When searching by case number, enter the full number exactly as it appears on court documents. Even a minor variation — such as omitting the county code — can prevent a match.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Greenwood
Criminal case records in Greenwood County contain several categories of information. Here is what each data point means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The South Carolina Code of Laws section the defendant is charged under (e.g., § 16-13-30 for petit larceny) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — felonies are tried in Circuit Court General Sessions; misdemeanors may be handled in Magistrate or Municipal Court |
| Amended Charges | The original charge may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or at the solicitor's discretion |
Case Status
- Pending: The case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active: Court proceedings are underway
- Disposed: The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed: All matters related to the case, including sentencing and post-trial motions, are complete
Hearings
- Bond Hearing: Determines whether the defendant will be released before trial and under what conditions
- Preliminary Hearing: A magistrate reviews whether probable cause exists to send the case to Circuit Court
- Arraignment: The defendant is formally advised of the charges and enters a plea
- Pre-Trial: Conferences to address motions, discovery, and potential plea agreements
- Trial: The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing: If convicted, the court imposes a sentence
- Review Hearing: Post-sentencing check-ins, often for probation compliance
Court Results
- Guilty: The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty: The defendant was acquitted at trial
- Dismissed: The solicitor or court dropped the charges
- Nolle Prosequi: The solicitor elected not to prosecute (the charge may potentially be re-filed)
- Acquitted: A formal finding of not guilty, typically after a bench or jury trial
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Greenwood
Certified copies of criminal court records in Greenwood County are issued by the Clerk of Court. These carry an official seal and are accepted for legal proceedings, employment verification, and other formal purposes.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Court office at the Greenwood County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Provide the case number or the defendant's full name and date of birth.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Clerk of Court at the address below. Include the case details, your contact information, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for the applicable fees.
Greenwood County Clerk of Court
State Criminal History Records
For a certified statewide criminal history report, submit a request to SLED. Fingerprint-based background checks provide the most thorough results and are typically required for employment screening, professional licensing, and volunteer positions. Requests can be submitted through SLED's website or by mailing a completed fingerprint card with the required fee to SLED headquarters in Columbia.
What You Need
- Valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests at the Clerk's office)
- Full legal name of the subject
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if requesting a specific case record)
- Completed fingerprint card (for SLED fingerprint-based checks)
- Payment for applicable fees
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Greenwood
Fees for criminal record copies and background checks in Greenwood County are set by South Carolina statute and agency fee schedules. Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (Title 30, Chapter 4), public bodies may charge reasonable fees for searching and copying public records.
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard document copies (Clerk of Court) | Typically $0.50 per page | Set by SC statute; confirm with the Clerk's office |
| Certification fee | Typically $1.00 per document | Added to the per-page copy cost |
| SLED CATCH name-based search | $25.00 | Paid online through the CATCH portal |
| SLED fingerprint-based background check | $25.00 | Submitted via fingerprint card or approved electronic method |
Processing Times
- In-person requests (Clerk of Court): Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on the complexity and age of the records
- Mail requests (Clerk of Court): Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mailing
- SLED CATCH online search: Results are typically available immediately after payment
- SLED fingerprint-based check: Processing generally takes several business days; turnaround may vary based on volume
Fees are subject to change. Contact the Greenwood County Clerk of Court at (864) 942-8600 or visit SLED's website to confirm current amounts before submitting a request.