Criminal records in Greenville County, South Carolina, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the Clerk of Court's office. GreenvilleCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Greenville County Clerk of Court, the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index, and the Greenville County Sheriff's Office also serve as access points for criminal records and related case data.
How to Search Criminal Records in Greenville
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Greenville County. The method you choose depends on how much information you already have and whether you need an official or informal result.
Online Search Options
- GreenvilleCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information, including criminal cases filed in Greenville County.
- South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index — This is the official statewide portal hosted in partnership with the SC Judicial Department. You can look up General Sessions (criminal) cases by name or case number.
- Greenville County Background Search — The county offers background checks covering 5, 10, or 15 years of criminal history through its Public Records office.
- Greenville County Inmate Search — Search for individuals currently incarcerated at the Greenville County Detention Center by first and last name.
- City of Greenville Municipal Court — For criminal cases involving city ordinance violations or misdemeanors within Greenville city limits, contact the Municipal Court directly.
In Person
- Visit the Greenville County Clerk of Court at the courthouse. Public access terminals are available for searching case records on-site.
- The Magistrate Courts handle misdemeanor and preliminary hearing records; you can visit any magistrate office for records within their jurisdiction.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Clerk of Court's Criminal Records division for General Sessions court records, including warrants, indictments, and dispositions.
- For a statewide criminal history, submit a request to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), which maintains the state criminal history repository.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual (first and last name required; middle name helpful)
- Date of birth (if available)
- Case number (if searching by case)
- Social Security Number (required for formal SLED background checks)
Search Greenville Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, you can search directly through the South Carolina Judicial Department's Public Index. South Carolina uses a standardized case number format across all counties.
A typical General Sessions case number follows this pattern:
- Year — The two-digit or four-digit year the case was filed (e.g., 2024)
- Court code — A two-letter abbreviation identifying the court type (e.g., "GS" for General Sessions)
- County code — A two-digit number identifying the county (Greenville County is 23)
- Sequential number — A unique number assigned to the case within that year
For example, a case number like 2024-GS-23-01234 indicates a 2024 General Sessions case filed in Greenville County. Enter the full case number in the Public Index search field to pull up charges, hearing dates, and disposition details.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Greenville
Criminal case records in Greenville County typically include several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The South Carolina Code of Laws section the defendant is charged under (e.g., S.C. Code § 16-13-30 for petit larceny) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — felonies are heard in General Sessions Court; misdemeanors may be handled in Magistrate or Municipal Court |
| Amended charges | If the original charge is reduced or modified through plea negotiations, the amended charge replaces or supplements the original |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further court action
- Active — Proceedings are underway (hearings scheduled, motions filed)
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All court obligations have been satisfied, including sentencing, fines, or probation
Hearings
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary hearing — A magistrate determines whether probable cause exists (typically for felony charges)
- Pre-trial — Attorneys discuss motions, evidence, and potential plea agreements
- Sentencing — The judge imposes a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review hearing — A follow-up hearing to check compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or the court
- Nolle prosequi — The solicitor declines to prosecute (common in South Carolina)
- Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Greenville
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. In Greenville County, the primary office handling these requests is the Clerk of Court.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Clerk of Court's office at the Greenville County Courthouse. Ask for certified copies at the records counter.
- By mail — Send a written request to the Clerk of Court specifying the defendant's name, case number (if known), and the type of record needed. Include payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Online — The county's criminal record checks page explains the process and available options for General Sessions records, including warrants, indictments, and dispositions.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- For SLED criminal history checks, a fingerprint card and Social Security Number are typically required
Office Contact Information
Greenville County Clerk of Court
For statewide criminal history records not limited to Greenville County, contact SLED directly or visit their website to submit a background check request.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Greenville
The Greenville County Clerk of Court and the county's Public Records office charge fees for criminal record searches and copies. The following table summarizes the most commonly referenced fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| 5-year background check | Contact the Public Records office for current pricing |
| 10-year background check | Contact the Public Records office for current pricing |
| 15-year background check | Contact the Public Records office for current pricing |
| Certified copy of court document | Contact the Clerk of Court for per-page rates |
| Non-certified copy | Contact the Clerk of Court for per-page rates |
| SLED state criminal history check | $25 (set by SLED; subject to change) |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the Clerk of Court are often processed the same day or within a few business days.
- Mail requests may take one to two weeks depending on volume.
- County background checks through the Public Records office vary by the number of years requested.
- SLED criminal history checks typically take several business days for electronic submissions; fingerprint-based checks may take longer.
Fee amounts are set by county ordinance and state law. Under South Carolina Code Title 30, public records must be made available at reasonable cost. Contact the relevant office directly to confirm current fees before submitting your request.