Spartanburg County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Spartanburg County
Arrest records in Spartanburg County are considered public information pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq. Members of the public may access these records through various official channels maintained by county and state agencies. The South Carolina FOIA establishes that records created, maintained, or controlled by public bodies shall be available for public inspection and copying during normal business hours.
The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes certain information available to the public in accordance with state law. However, it should be noted that:
- Some information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations
- Juvenile records are generally not publicly accessible
- Records sealed by court order are not available to the public
- Certain personal identifying information may be withheld to protect privacy
The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office operates under agreements with federal agencies, including a partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement through the 287(g) program, which may affect how certain arrest information is processed and shared.
Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office 8045 Howard Street Spartanburg, SC 29303 Phone: (864) 503-4500 Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office
What's in Spartanburg County Arrest Records
Spartanburg County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county jurisdiction. These records are maintained in accordance with South Carolina Code § 23-3-120, which establishes requirements for criminal record maintenance.
Standard information contained in Spartanburg County arrest records includes:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Criminal charges filed
- Case/docket number
- Booking information and detention status
- Bond information, if applicable
- Court appearance dates
It should be noted that arrest records may also contain information regarding the individual's prior criminal history within Spartanburg County. However, pursuant to South Carolina law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of these records, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Home addresses of victims
- Medical information
- Information related to ongoing investigations
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains statewide criminal history records that may supplement local arrest records.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division 4400 Broad River Road Columbia, SC 29210 Phone: (803) 737-9000 South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Spartanburg County in 2025
Individuals seeking arrest records in Spartanburg County in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The county has established procedures in compliance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, which governs the right to examine public records.
To access arrest records in person, requesters may:
- Visit the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM)
- Complete a public records request form, providing specific information about the record being sought
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees for record retrieval and copying ($5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page as of 2025)
For written requests, individuals should:
- Submit a detailed written request to the Records Division
- Include the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest
- Provide contact information and preferred method of delivery
- Enclose a check or money order for applicable fees
Following the appointment of a new sheriff in May 2025 by Governor Henry McMaster, some procedural changes may have been implemented. Requesters are advised to confirm current procedures before submitting requests.
Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Records Division 8045 Howard Street Spartanburg, SC 29303 Phone: (864) 503-4505 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
How To Find Spartanburg County Arrest Records Online
Spartanburg County provides digital access to certain arrest records through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. These electronic resources have been developed to enhance public access while maintaining compliance with South Carolina's public records laws.
The primary online resources for accessing Spartanburg County arrest records include:
- Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search Portal - This database provides information on currently detained individuals and recent arrests within the county
- Spartanburg County Clerk of Court Public Index - Offers case information for individuals processed through the county court system
- South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index - Provides statewide court records that may include arrest information
- South Carolina Department of Corrections Inmate Search - Contains records of individuals who have been transferred to state custody following arrest and conviction
Users of these online systems should be aware of the following:
- Information is typically updated within 24-48 hours of an arrest
- Not all arrest details may be available online due to privacy restrictions
- Some records may require in-person requests for complete information
- The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division provides additional resources for criminal history information
For sex offender information related to arrests, the South Carolina Public Sex Offender Registry maintains current data on registered offenders within the county.
Can You Search Spartanburg County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public may access certain Spartanburg County arrest record information without charge through several available channels. South Carolina Code § 30-4-30(B) permits public bodies to establish and collect reasonable fees for the search and duplication of records, but also provides for free examination of records during normal business hours.
Free access options for Spartanburg County arrest records include:
- In-person inspection of non-confidential arrest records at the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours (viewing only, copying fees apply)
- Basic online inmate search through the Spartanburg County Detention Center website
- Limited case information through the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court Public Index
- Public terminals available at the Spartanburg County Judicial Center for searching court records related to arrests
While basic searches are available without charge, fees may apply for:
- Certified copies of arrest records ($5.00 per certification)
- Extensive record searches requiring more than one hour of staff time
- Printed copies of electronic records ($0.25 per page)
- Complete criminal history reports
The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office maintains public access terminals at their main office where citizens may conduct basic searches without charge during the following hours:
Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Public Access Area 8045 Howard Street Spartanburg, SC 29303 Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
How To Delete Arrest Records in Spartanburg County
The process for removing arrest records in Spartanburg County is governed by South Carolina's expungement laws, primarily S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 through § 17-22-950. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records and related information are removed from public access.
Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records must:
- Determine eligibility based on specific statutory criteria
- File a formal expungement application with the Solicitor's Office in the judicial circuit where the arrest occurred
- Pay the required application fee ($310 as of 2025)
- Provide all required documentation, including disposition information
- Obtain verification from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
Eligibility for expungement in Spartanburg County generally includes:
- Charges that were dismissed or nolle prossed
- Not guilty verdicts
- Successful completion of Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) programs
- First-offense simple possession of controlled substances
- First-offense convictions for certain minor offenses after specified waiting periods
It should be noted that expungement does not automatically occur upon case dismissal or acquittal. The individual must actively pursue the expungement process through proper channels.
7th Circuit Solicitor's Office - Expungement Division 180 Magnolia Street Spartanburg, SC 29306 Phone: (864) 596-2575 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
What Happens After Arrest in Spartanburg County?
Following an arrest in Spartanburg County, individuals are processed through a standardized procedure established by South Carolina law and local protocols. This process ensures proper documentation and protection of constitutional rights.
The post-arrest procedure typically includes:
- Transportation to the Spartanburg County Detention Facility
- Booking procedures, including fingerprinting, photographing, and personal information collection
- Initial appearance before a magistrate judge within 24 hours of arrest
- Bond hearing where bail may be set based on factors including charge severity and flight risk
- Assignment of a public defender for qualifying individuals or opportunity to retain private counsel
- Preliminary hearing (if requested) within 10 days for felony charges
- Case assignment to appropriate court (Summary, General Sessions, or Family Court for juveniles)
For individuals unable to post bond, detention continues until case disposition. The Spartanburg County Detention Center operates under specific protocols, including those established through the 287(g) agreement with federal authorities for cases involving immigration status concerns.
First appearances and bond hearings are conducted at:
Spartanburg County Magistrate Court 180 Magnolia Street Spartanburg, SC 29306 Phone: (864) 596-2564 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Bond hearings are conducted daily, including weekends and holidays)
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Spartanburg County?
Arrest records in Spartanburg County are maintained in accordance with South Carolina's records retention schedules as established by the Department of Archives and History pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-1-90. These records are generally preserved permanently unless specifically ordered expunged by the court.
The retention periods for various components of arrest records include:
- Booking information and arrest reports - Permanent retention
- Fingerprint cards - Permanent retention with copies forwarded to SLED and FBI
- Mugshot photographs - Permanent retention
- Incident reports - Minimum 30-year retention
- Arrest warrants - Permanent retention as court records
- Juvenile arrest records - Sealed at age 17 for minor offenses, maintained for serious offenses
It should be noted that even when physical records may be archived after certain periods, electronic records are typically maintained indefinitely in law enforcement databases. Access to these records becomes more restricted over time, particularly for:
- Arrests that did not result in convictions after 3 years
- Misdemeanor convictions after 10 years without subsequent arrests
- Non-violent felony convictions after 15 years without subsequent arrests
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division maintains the central repository for all criminal history information in the state, including Spartanburg County arrests.
How to Find Mugshots in Spartanburg County
Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process in Spartanburg County are considered public records under South Carolina law, subject to certain exceptions. These images are maintained by the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office and may be accessed through established procedures.
To obtain mugshot photographs, interested parties may:
- Submit a specific request to the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Provide the full name and date of birth of the individual
- Specify the approximate date of arrest
- Pay the required fee ($5.00 per mugshot as of 2025)
Certain restrictions apply to mugshot access, including:
- Mugshots of juveniles are not publicly available
- Images related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld
- Photographs from expunged records are not accessible
- Commercial use of mugshots obtained through public records requests may be restricted
The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office no longer publishes current mugshots on their website as a matter of policy, though historical images may still be available through third-party websites that previously collected this information.
Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Records Division 8045 Howard Street Spartanburg, SC 29303 Phone: (864) 503-4505 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Lookup Arrest Records in Spartanburg County
South Carolina Department of Corrections inmate search
South Carolina sex offender registry
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division public records