Anderson County Court Records
When courts in Anderson County adjudicate criminal and civil cases, case parties submit petitions, motions, exhibits, and other supporting documentation through the court clerk’s office. The clerk also receives documents from the court, such as judicial decisions and opinions, jury verdicts, and final judgment decrees. These documents are called Anderson County court records and may also include records maintained by other government agencies, such as property records from the Assessor’s Office, tax filings from the County Treasurer and Auditor, and arrest records from local law enforcement agencies.
The public can review court records to follow up cases, run criminal background checks, and perform genealogy research. Lawyers can also refer to historical cases for precedent research.
Are Anderson County Court Records Public?
Yes. Members of the public have permission under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act to inspect and obtain court records. However, court rules and federal/state laws prohibit the disclosure of certain records, such as juvenile case files, adoption documents, names and addresses of confidential informants, details of active investigations, and sensitive personal information.
While some court records are restricted in their entirety, clerks of courts may be directed to redact case information, including names of protected persons and entities, before releasing documents to the public.
What Information is Available in Anderson County Court Records?
The following is information that can be found in Anderson County court records:
- Case title
- Filing date
- Case number
- Party names
- Case status
- Name of presiding judge
- Hearing dates
- Specific case actions (document filings, hearings, judgments, etc.)
- Filed documents (motions, petitions, declarations, charging instruments)
- Verdicts
- Judicial opinions
- Sentencing orders
Anderson County Court Records Search
Anderson County court records are accessible through different local courts, depending on the case type. Courts offer online, mail-in, and in-person access options.
For example, individuals can use online search and request options from the Office of the Clerk of Court to view or obtain Circuit Court and Family Court records. Circuit Court records emanate from serious criminal offenses heard by the Court of General Sessions and civil matters handled by the Court of Common Pleas. Family Court records pertain to family law matters, including divorce, child adoptions, and paternity.
Meanwhile, records of criminal cases that carry a jail sentence of 30 days or less and a fine of no more than $500 are maintained by the county’s Magistrate (Summary) Courts. These courts also handle small civil matters worth up to $7,500, such as landlord-tenant disputes and sales of abandoned property. In some cases, the General Sessions Court assigns proceedings to Magistrate Courts involving crimes punishable by up to one year in jail and fines of up to $5,000.
Finally, municipal courts are responsible for criminal matters within city boundaries. These include municipal code violations, motor vehicle offenses, and other criminal matters handled by a local magistrate’s court. Municipal judges do not have civil jurisdiction.
Apart from contacting the relevant court offices directly, one can access certain case information online using the Anderson County Tenth Judicial Circuit Public Index. The website allows members of the public to check the following case details from the Circuit, Magistrate, and Master-In-Equity courts:
- Case number
- Party information
- Assigned judge
- Case status
- Filed date
- Court name
- Criminal case details, including charges, defendant’s date of birth, bond amount, arrest date, and law enforcement case number
- Case actions, such as filings
- Disposition
- Financial information
To find Family Court cases online, one can use the Family Court Case Management System (FCCMS), select Anderson County under Location/County, and enter search parameters such as a party name, case number, or filing date.
Fees for Court Records in Anderson County
The following fees may be applicable to obtain copies of court records in Anderson County:
- Plain copy: 50 cents per copy
- Certified copy: $10
Interested parties can contact the clerk’s office or relevant court staff regarding fees for specific court documents.
Anderson County Courthouse Locations
The following are Anderson County court addresses and contact details:
Anderson County Circuit Court
100 South Main Street
Anderson, SC 29624
Phone: (864) 260-4059, (864) 638-4266
Fax: (803) 734-1128, (864) 638-4267
100 South Main Street
Anderson, SC 29624
Phone: (864) 260-4037
Fax: (864) 231-1773
Magistrate Courts (Summary Courts) in
Anderson County Summary Court & Central Traffic Court
2404 North Main Street
Anderson, SC 29621
Phone: (864) 260-4156, (864) 260-4055
Fax: (864) 260-4144
Anderson County Bond Court
2404 North Main Street
Anderson, SC 29621
Phone: (864) 231-3119
Fax: (864) 231-3118
Belton Summary Court
Belton City Hall
306 Anderson Street
Belton, SC 29627
Phone: (864) 338-5810
Fax: (864) 338-7495
Pendleton Summary Court
2404 North Main Street
Anderson, SC 29621
Phone: (864) 260-4156
Fax: (864) 260-4144
Honea Path Summary Court
204 South Main Street
Honea Path, SC 29624
Phone: (864) 260-1096
Fax: (864) 231-3131
Powdersville-Piedmont Summary Court
4 Civic Court
Easley, SC 29642
Phone: (864) 269-5947
Fax: (864) 269-5952
Starr-Iva Summary Court
7725 Highway 81 South
Starr, SC 29684
Phone: (864) 231-3149
Fax: (864) 231-3161
Williamston Summary Court
12 West Main Street
Williamston, SC 29697
Phone: (864) 847-5560
Fax: (833) 609-0695
Municipal Courts in Anderson County
401 South Main Street
Anderson, SC 29624
Phone: (864) 231-2271
Fax: (864) 260-1069
City Hall
306 Anderson Street
Belton, SC 29627
Phone: (864) 338-8448
Williamston Municipal Court
12 West Main Street
Williamston, SC 29697-1402
Phone: (864) 847-7473
Fax: (864) 609-0698
30 Main Street
West Pelzer, SC 29669-9669
Phone: (864) 947-6297
Fax: (864) 947-6266
Starr Municipal Court
7641 Highway 81 South
Starr, SC 29684
Phone: (864) 348-6191
Fax: (864) 348-7562
204 East Jackson Street
Iva, SC 29655-9655
Phone: (864) 348-6192
Fax: (864) 348-7562
Honea Path Municipal Court
204 South Main Street
Honea Path, SC 29654-1523
Phone: (864) 369-2999
Fax: (864) 369-2325
Criminal Records Access in Anderson County
Anderson County criminal records comprise information and documents created during arrests, criminal prosecutions in court, and post-conviction programs like parole and probation. They are open to the public unless prohibited by law or court rule. For instance, sealed criminal case files and juvenile court records are generally not accessible.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Agency provides criminal history checks to members of the public through its Citizens Access To Criminal History (CATCH) service. CATCH is a name search service that costs $25 per search. A more thorough and accurate criminal history search requires the subject’s fingerprints; these checks are available solely to select entities authorized by state statute.
Individuals can also obtain certain criminal records, such as arrest and warrant information, from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments. The Sheriff oversees the county’s detention center and can provide information on recently arrested inmates.
Furthermore, criminal court records from the Circuit, Magistrates, and Municipal Courts are available through local court staff offices and online case management systems. Once the record seeker identifies the court with jurisdiction over the case, they can approach the office or search its online case management database (if provided).
Anderson County Probate Records
Anderson County probate records originate from the local probate court, which has jurisdiction over the following proceedings:
- Estates of deceased persons
- Marriage licenses
- Guardianships/conservatorships for minors and incapacitated adults
- Minor settlements under $25,000
- Involuntary commitments to institutions for chemically dependent and mentally ill persons
Records from the Probate Court include wills, certified copies of marriage licenses, estate records (property information, appointed administrators, etc.), and other probate case filings (e.g., financial records).
The Probate Court provides a court case search portal for viewing case information. Parties interested in physical inspections and copies of case documents can contact the court to inquire about the records request process. However, intending inquirers must note that only case parties and authorized attorneys can access confidential Probate Court records, such as mental health records and information on minors.
Anderson County Family Court Records
Family Court records document a variety of legal matters, including
- Marital Actions, such as legal separation, divorce, division of marital assets, and alimony
- Parental & Child Matters, which encompass child support, child visitation, parental rights, and adoption; and
- Personal Changes, specifically name changes.
The Anderson County Clerk of Court maintains and dispenses records from these cases. One can contact the office directly for inquiries about physical copies. To review records online, members of the public can access the Family Court Case Management System to search for and view basic domestic relations case information.
However, details related to sensitive cases, such as child support and adoption, are not accessible to the public.
Federal Court Records in Anderson County
The U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina maintains federal jurisdiction over Anderson County, which is specifically served by the court’s Anderson Division. This court’s jurisdiction encompasses criminal prosecutions brought by the U.S. Justice Department, civil litigation involving parties from different states or countries, and lawsuits concerning federal laws.
While federal cases originating in Anderson may be heard at the G. Ross Anderson, Jr. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in the City of Anderson, the Anderson Division operates without an on-site federal clerk of court. Administrative inquiries, access to computer terminals, physical record filings, and the procurement of certified documents are managed through the divisional clerk’s office located in nearby Greenville.
The federal court system offers electronic access to federal case records through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. This online platform allows the public to search for dockets, case filings, and judicial opinions by party name or case number. The system costs 10 cents per page, though this is capped at $3 per document and waived entirely if quarterly usage remains below $30.
