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South Carolina Public Records /Spartanburg County Court Records

Spartanburg County Court Records

What Is Spartanburg County Court Records

Spartanburg County court records are official documents created and maintained by the courts in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. These records document legal proceedings, including criminal cases, civil disputes, family court matters, and probate cases. Court records typically include filings, motions, orders, judgments, and other documents related to court cases. They serve as the official history of legal proceedings and are maintained by the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court at 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306.

Are Court Records Public In Spartanburg County

Yes, most court records in Spartanburg County are public under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act and the common law right to access judicial records. The public can access these records through the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court's office or through online portals. However, certain records may be sealed or restricted by court order, including juvenile records, adoption proceedings, certain mental health proceedings, and cases involving sensitive information. Additionally, some information within public records may be redacted to protect privacy, such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain personal identifiers.

How To Find Court Records in Spartanburg County in 2025

To find court records in Spartanburg County in 2025, you have several options:

  1. Visit the Spartanburg County Courthouse in person at 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. The Clerk of Court's office can assist with accessing public records.

  2. Use the South Carolina Judicial Branch's Case Records Search online at the official website.

  3. Contact the specific court where the case was heard. Spartanburg County has several courts, including Circuit Court, Family Court, Probate Court, and Magistrate Courts.

  4. Submit a written request to the Clerk of Court, specifying the records you're seeking.

  5. For criminal records, you may also check with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office at 8045 Howard Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303.

When searching for records, it's helpful to have specific information such as case numbers, names of parties involved, and approximate dates of the proceedings.

How To Look Up Court Records in Spartanburg County Online?

Looking up court records in Spartanburg County online can be done through several platforms:

  1. South Carolina Judicial Branch website offers a Case Records Search feature that allows access to many court records.

  2. Spartanburg County's Public Index provides online access to Circuit Court and Family Court records.

  3. The Spartanburg County Clerk of Court's website may offer additional resources for accessing records electronically.

  4. For criminal cases, the Spartanburg County Seventh Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office at 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306 may provide case status information online.

When using these online resources, you'll typically need to provide information such as the case number, party names, or date ranges. Some records may only be available in summary form online, with full documents requiring in-person access.

Can You Search Spartanburg County Court Records for Free?

Yes, you can search many Spartanburg County court records for free. The South Carolina Judicial Branch's Public Index allows free searches of basic case information. In-person searches at the Spartanburg County Courthouse are also generally free of charge. However, while searching is often free, there may be fees for:

  • Obtaining copies of documents (typically $0.25-$1.00 per page)
  • Certified copies of court documents (usually $5-$10 per document)
  • Extensive research assistance from court staff
  • Access to certain specialized databases or comprehensive record searches

The Spartanburg County Clerk of Court at 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306 can provide current information about any fees associated with accessing or copying court records.

What's Included in a Spartanburg County Court Record?

A typical Spartanburg County court record includes:

  1. Case information: Case number, filing date, case type, and status
  2. Party information: Names of plaintiffs, defendants, petitioners, respondents, and their attorneys
  3. Docket entries: Chronological list of all filings and court actions
  4. Court documents: Complaints, petitions, motions, responses, and other filings
  5. Court orders and judgments: Official decisions and directives from the judge
  6. Hearing and trial information: Dates, times, and outcomes of court proceedings
  7. Financial information: Filing fees, fines, restitution orders, and payment records
  8. Evidence and exhibits: Documents or items submitted as evidence (access may be restricted)
  9. Transcripts: Written records of court proceedings (may require separate requests)

The specific contents vary depending on the type of case and the court handling the matter.

How Long Does Spartanburg County Keep Court Records?

Spartanburg County follows South Carolina's record retention schedules, which vary by court and case type:

  • Circuit Court criminal records: Typically permanent for serious felonies; 15-25 years for lesser offenses
  • Circuit Court civil records: Generally 10-15 years after case disposition
  • Family Court records: Often kept 10-25 years, with adoption records maintained permanently
  • Probate Court records: Many are permanent, especially wills and estate settlements
  • Magistrate Court records: Usually 3-10 years depending on case type

The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 works with courts to preserve historically significant records. Digital records retention policies continue to evolve as more courts transition to electronic filing systems.

Types of Courts In Spartanburg County

Spartanburg County has several types of courts, each with specific jurisdictions:

  1. Circuit Court: The main trial court, divided into:

    • Court of Common Pleas (civil matters)
    • Court of General Sessions (criminal matters)

  2. Family Court: Handles domestic relations cases including divorce, child custody, and juvenile matters

  3. Probate Court: Oversees wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships

  4. Magistrate Courts: Handle minor criminal offenses, small claims civil cases, and conduct preliminary hearings

  5. Municipal Courts: Process city ordinance violations and minor criminal offenses within city limits

The Spartanburg County Judicial Center at 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306 houses most of these courts, while some Magistrate Courts are located throughout the county.

What Types of Cases Do Spartanburg County Courts Hear?

Spartanburg County courts hear a wide range of cases:

Circuit Court - Court of Common Pleas:

  • Civil lawsuits exceeding $7,500
  • Contract disputes
  • Personal injury claims
  • Property disputes
  • Appeals from lower courts

Circuit Court - Court of General Sessions:

  • Felony criminal cases
  • Serious misdemeanors
  • Criminal appeals from lower courts

Family Court:

  • Divorce proceedings
  • Child custody and support
  • Adoption
  • Juvenile criminal matters
  • Protection from domestic abuse

Probate Court:

  • Wills and estate administration
  • Guardianships and conservatorships
  • Mental health commitments
  • Marriage licenses

Magistrate Courts:

  • Civil cases up to $7,500
  • Landlord-tenant disputes
  • Traffic violations
  • Minor criminal offenses
  • Preliminary hearings for felony cases

How To Find a Court Docket In Spartanburg County

To find a court docket in Spartanburg County:

  1. Online: Check the South Carolina Judicial Branch website's Case Records Search or the Spartanburg County Public Index.

  2. In person: Visit the Clerk of Court's office at the Spartanburg County Courthouse (180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306) and request to view the docket for a specific court or case.

  3. By phone: Contact the appropriate court clerk to inquire about docket information.

  4. For criminal cases: The Solicitor's Office at 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306 may provide information about upcoming criminal court dockets.

Court dockets are typically organized by date and courtroom, listing all cases scheduled for a particular day. For specific case information, having the case number will make your search more efficient.

Which Courts in Spartanburg County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Spartanburg County, the following courts are not courts of record, meaning they don't maintain comprehensive verbatim transcripts of all proceedings:

  1. Magistrate Courts: While they keep basic records of cases and outcomes, they don't typically record full proceedings. There are multiple magistrate court locations throughout Spartanburg County.

  2. Municipal Courts: Similar to Magistrate Courts, these city courts maintain case records but not complete transcripts of proceedings. Each municipality in Spartanburg County may have its own court.

When cases from these courts are appealed, they are typically heard "de novo" (anew) in Circuit Court, rather than reviewing a transcript of the original proceeding. While these courts maintain essential records of their cases and decisions, they don't create the comprehensive record that higher courts do.

Lookup Court Records in Spartanburg County

For comprehensive access to Spartanburg County court records, you can utilize these resources:

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