Beaufort County Criminal Records
What Is Beaufort County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Beaufort County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to South Carolina Code § 30-4-30, which establishes the framework for public records management throughout the state.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories of documentation:
- Arrest Records: Documents created when law enforcement takes a person into custody, including booking information, charges, and mugshots
- Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings, including charges, hearings, pleas, and case dispositions
- Conviction Records: Final judgments resulting in guilty verdicts or pleas
- Incarceration Records: Documentation of time served in county detention facilities
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document only that an individual was taken into custody and charged with an offense, while conviction records confirm that legal proceedings resulted in a finding of guilt. Under South Carolina law, both types of records are generally considered public information, though with certain exceptions.
Criminal offenses in Beaufort County are categorized as either:
- Felonies: Serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanors: Lesser offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year
Juvenile records (those involving individuals under 18 years of age) receive special protection under South Carolina Code § 63-19-2010 and are generally not accessible to the public without a court order.
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Beaufort County:
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office
2001 Duke Street
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 255-3200
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office
Beaufort County Clerk of Court
102 Ribaut Road
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 255-5050
Beaufort County Clerk of Court
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
4400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 737-9000
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
These records typically include detailed information about charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing, and probation or parole status when applicable.
Are Criminal Records Public In Beaufort County
Criminal records in Beaufort County are generally accessible to the public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in Title 30, Chapter 4 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, are open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.
Section 30-4-15 of the South Carolina Code states: "The General Assembly finds that it is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that citizens shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are reached in public activity and in the formulation of public policy."
While the law establishes a general right of access, certain categories of criminal records are subject to restrictions:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations may be withheld under § 30-4-40(a)(3)
- Juvenile Records: Information concerning individuals under 18 years of age is generally sealed from public view pursuant to § 63-19-2010
- Expunged Records: Criminal records that have been legally expunged are removed from public access
- Certain Victim Information: Details that would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy may be redacted
Adult conviction records are consistently available to the public, as are records of court proceedings in criminal cases. The South Carolina Judicial Department maintains that "court records are presumed to be open to the public unless there is a specific statute, court rule, or compelling interest that creates an exception."
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Beaufort County should be aware that while the law provides for access, practical considerations such as processing times, fees for copies, and the need to identify specific records may affect the retrieval process. Additionally, certain records may only be available through specific agencies or may require formal written requests.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Beaufort County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Beaufort County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches, each providing different types of information.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
Beaufort County Records Management Department
100 Ribaut Road
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 255-2700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Records Management
The process for obtaining criminal records typically involves the following steps:
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Determine the appropriate agency: Different records are maintained by different departments. Court records are available through the Clerk of Court, while arrest records may be obtained from the Sheriff's Office.
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Complete the required forms: Most agencies require completion of a records request form. The Beaufort County Records Request Form can be submitted for many county records.
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Provide identification: Government-issued photo identification is typically required when requesting criminal records in person.
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Submit payment if applicable: Fees vary by agency and record type. The standard fee structure is established pursuant to South Carolina Code § 30-4-30(B), which allows agencies to charge reasonable fees for search and duplication.
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Specify the records sought: Requests should include as much identifying information as possible, including full name, date of birth, and case numbers if available.
For statewide criminal history information, individuals may contact:
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
4400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 737-9000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
SLED provides criminal history reports for a fee of $25 per record check. These reports include statewide arrest and conviction data, offering a more comprehensive view than county-level searches.
Third-party background check services are also available but may not provide complete or current information. Official records should be obtained directly from government agencies for the most accurate results.
How To Find Criminal Records in Beaufort County Online?
Beaufort County offers several digital platforms that provide public access to criminal records information. These online resources allow for remote searches of various criminal justice databases, though the scope and limitations of each system vary.
The primary online resources for criminal records in Beaufort County include:
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Beaufort County Inmate Inquiry System: This database provides information on currently incarcerated individuals at the Beaufort County Detention Center. Users can search by name to access booking information, charges, and bond amounts. The inmate inquiry system is updated regularly but does not include historical incarceration records.
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South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search: The state judiciary maintains a public index search that includes criminal court records from Beaufort County. This system provides case information including charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. Users can search by name or case number, though some older records may not be digitized.
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SLED CATCH (Citizens Access To Criminal Histories): The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division offers a name-based criminal history search for a fee of $25 per record. This system provides statewide criminal history information, including arrests and convictions across all South Carolina counties.
When using these online systems, users should note the following:
- Full names yield more accurate results than partial names
- Date of birth information, when available for input, significantly improves search accuracy
- Some systems may require registration or the creation of a user account
- Certain detailed information may only be available through in-person requests
- Online records may not include expunged or sealed cases
For specialized records not available through these portals, such as police reports or detailed investigative materials, users may need to submit formal records requests through the appropriate agency websites or in person.
The Beaufort County Clerk of Court maintains additional court records that may be accessible through their office, though not all materials are available online. Their website provides information on how to request specific court documents that may not appear in the public index.
Can You Search Beaufort County Criminal Records for Free?
Beaufort County residents and members of the public have several options for accessing criminal records without payment, in accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code § 30-4-30). The statute provides that "each public body, upon written request for records made under this chapter, shall within ten days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) of the receipt of any such request, notify the person making such request of its determination and the reasons therefor."
Free inspection of criminal records is available at the following locations:
Beaufort County Clerk of Court
102 Ribaut Road
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 255-5050
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Beaufort County Clerk of Court
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Records Division
2001 Duke Street
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 255-3200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office
While inspection of records is generally free, agencies may charge reasonable fees for:
- Searching for or making copies of records
- Providing electronic copies of records
- Redacting information from records
- Postage for mailed records
Several online resources provide free access to limited criminal record information:
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The Beaufort County Inmate Inquiry System allows free searches of current jail inmates.
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The South Carolina Judicial Branch offers a free Public Index Search for court cases, including criminal matters.
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The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office provides limited information about recent arrests through their website at no cost.
It is important to note that while inspection of records is free, comprehensive criminal history reports from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) require payment of a $25 fee per record check. These reports provide statewide criminal history information that may not be available through free county-level searches.
For the most complete criminal record information, individuals may need to combine searches from multiple free resources or pay for comprehensive reports from state agencies.
What's Included in a Beaufort County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Beaufort County agencies typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records is standardized in accordance with South Carolina Code § 23-3-120, which establishes requirements for criminal record keeping.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Mugshot photograph when available
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at time of arrest with corresponding statute numbers
- Bail or bond amount
- Current custody status
Court Case Information:
- Case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction (Magistrate, Municipal, or Circuit Court)
- Charges filed by the prosecutor with statute citations
- Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
- Attorney information (public defender or private counsel)
- Hearing dates and proceedings
- Motions filed and their dispositions
Case Disposition:
- Verdict or plea
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details including:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation or parole status
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI offenses
- Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
The comprehensiveness of criminal records may vary depending on the agency maintaining them and the age of the records. More recent records tend to contain more detailed information due to improved record-keeping practices and digital storage capabilities.
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of criminal records, including Social Security numbers, victim information in certain cases, and medical or mental health details. Juvenile records are generally sealed and not included in standard criminal record searches unless specifically ordered by a court.
How Long Does Beaufort County Keep Criminal Records?
Beaufort County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History under authority granted by South Carolina Code § 30-1-90. These schedules determine how long different types of criminal records must be preserved before they may be destroyed or archived.
The retention periods for various criminal records in Beaufort County are as follows:
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Arrest Records: Maintained permanently by the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office. These records document the initial detention and charging of individuals.
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Booking Records: Retained for 10 years after the date of booking, after which they may be transferred to the county archives.
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Criminal Case Files (Misdemeanors): Maintained by the Clerk of Court for 10 years after case closure, pursuant to the South Carolina Court Administration Retention Schedule.
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Criminal Case Files (Felonies): Retained permanently by the Clerk of Court, with no provision for destruction.
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Court Dockets and Indexes: Preserved permanently as essential records documenting the county's judicial proceedings.
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Probation and Parole Records: Maintained for 10 years after the completion of supervision, after which they may be destroyed.
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Incarceration Records: Detention Center records are kept for 10 years after an inmate's release.
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Sex Offender Registry Information: Maintained permanently in accordance with state law requirements.
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Expunged Records: Once a court orders expungement, records must be destroyed or sealed immediately pursuant to South Carolina Code § 17-22-950.
It is important to note that while physical records may be destroyed after their retention period expires, information about serious offenses is often maintained indefinitely in electronic databases. Additionally, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains a central repository of criminal history information that preserves records beyond local retention schedules.
The Beaufort County Records Management Department oversees compliance with these retention requirements and can provide specific information about particular record types upon request.
Digital conversion efforts are currently underway to preserve older paper records in electronic format, which may extend the practical availability of historical criminal records beyond their mandated retention periods.