South Carolina's criminal history system runs through SLED -- the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division -- and its CATCH portal (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories) at catch.sled.sc.gov. CATCH allows anyone to run a name-based search for $25 per subject. What makes South Carolina distinct is the strength of its expungement law: South Carolina calls expungement an "Order for Destruction of Arrest Records" and means it literally -- arrest and booking records, mug shots, and fingerprints must be physically destroyed. Law enforcement retains a sealed copy for 3 years and 120 days, but after that window full destruction is required. This is meaningfully different from the many states in this series that call their relief "expungement" but actually only seal the record. This guide covers the full system.
What Makes South Carolina Arrest Records Public
South Carolina's public records framework is governed by the Freedom of Information Act at SC Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4. Most government records, including arrest records, are presumptively public under this law.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) serves as the central repository for criminal history record information under SC Code 23-3-120. All law enforcement agencies and court officials must report criminal data to the SLED Central Record Repository. Anyone arrested in South Carolina must be fingerprinted at booking, and those fingerprints must be submitted to SLED within three days.
Exemptions from public access include juvenile records under SC Code 63-19-2010 (generally sealed and confidential), expunged records, active investigation materials, and certain victim information. The sale or dissemination of the SLED criminal history database is prohibited by state law.
What a South Carolina Arrest Record Contains
An arrest record is a booking document. It reflects the facts of an arrest at the time of booking and carries no presumption of guilt.
A SLED CATCH criminal history record includes both arrest and conviction data. It includes personal identifying information, arrest data (arresting agency, date, charges), court dispositions, and conviction and sentencing information. The CATCH system requires an exact match on last name, first initial, and date of birth. Aliases can cause missed records. A Social Security number can also be used for searching. Fingerprint-based checks are available when required by law and provide more complete identity verification.
Local law enforcement records at county sheriff offices and police departments include full booking information: name, DOB, date and time of arrest, location, charges, bail, court date, and booking photograph.
How to Search South Carolina Arrest Records
SLED CATCH at catch.sled.sc.gov is the primary public tool for statewide criminal history searches. Any member of the public may run a name-based search for $25 per subject. The fee is non-refundable. A CATCH result returns South Carolina criminal history only -- no other state records and no federal records. Sex offender registry information is excluded from CATCH results.
SLED also accepts mail-in requests for criminal records checks. Submit the Criminal Records Check Form with payment (business check, certified check, cashier's check, or money order -- no personal checks or cash) to SLED headquarters: 4400 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210. Phone: 803-737-9000. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index provides free public access to criminal and civil court case records by county. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Results include arrest charges, court dates, and dispositions. The Public Index covers all 46 counties. Some municipal court records are also in the system. Access at publicindex.sccourts.org.
County sheriff offices maintain booking records for recent arrests. South Carolina has 46 counties and each county sheriff manages the local detention center. Most publish online inmate rosters or booking information.
For broader multi-source searches that aggregate public record data across South Carolina's 46 counties and other jurisdictions, TruthFinder is a practical option.
VINELink at vinelink.com connects to the South Carolina DOC system and many county facilities and provides free real-time custody status and notification registration.
County Jail Records in South Carolina
South Carolina has 46 counties and each operates a county detention center managed by the county sheriff. County detention centers hold people recently arrested, those awaiting trial, and some individuals serving shorter sentences.
When someone is sentenced to state prison, they enter the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) system. SCDC provides a free online inmate search at scdc.sc.gov. You can search by name or SCDC number to locate current state inmates. Results include photographs, charges, sentences, and projected release dates. For questions, call SCDC at 803-896-8500 (toll-free 1-866-727-2846).
Federal Arrests in South Carolina
Federal arrests in South Carolina are made by agencies including the FBI, the DEA, U.S. Marshals, the ATF, and Homeland Security Investigations. South Carolina is home to U.S. District Courts for the District of South Carolina, with courthouses in Columbia, Charleston, Florence, Greenville, and other cities.
The BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the official free tool for locating anyone serving a federal sentence. Search by name or BOP register number. Federal court records are available through the PACER system at pacer.gov.
Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the SLED CATCH system.
Arrest Records Versus Conviction Records
An arrest record documents that law enforcement took someone into custody. A conviction record documents a court's finding of guilt. SLED CATCH returns both arrest and conviction data submitted to SLED by law enforcement and detention agencies. The Public Index provides court case records including non-conviction outcomes such as dismissals and acquittals.
Dismissed charges, nolle prosequi entries, and acquittals remain in SLED records and the Public Index until expunged under SC Code Chapter 22 and addressed under SC Code 17-1-40.
South Carolina Expungement -- Order for Destruction of Records
South Carolina's expungement process results in the literal destruction of criminal records -- not just sealing or restriction of access. Under SC Code 17-1-40(B)(1), when a charge was dismissed, proceedings were discharged, or the person was found not guilty, and the record is expunged, the arrest and booking record, associated bench warrants, mug shots, and fingerprints of the person must be destroyed. No evidence of the record pertaining to the charge may be retained by any municipal, county, or state agency -- with a specific time-limited exception.
The exception: law enforcement and prosecution agencies may retain sealed copies for 3 years and 120 days. Detention and correctional facilities retain booking records under seal for a similar period. After those periods expire, full destruction is required.
SLED retains a nonpublic record of the expungement order itself. FBI records are not affected by a South Carolina state expungement order.
Eligible categories for expungement in South Carolina under SC Code Title 17, Chapter 22 include:
Charges that were dismissed, discharged, nolle prossed, no-billed, or resulted in not guilty verdicts.
Pretrial Intervention (PTI) program completions.
Conditional discharge cases (typically first-offense drug possession).
First-offense misdemeanor convictions in magistrate or municipal court where the penalty was 30 days or less or a fine up to $1,000 -- eligible three years after conviction under SC Code 22-5-910.
Certain other specifically enumerated first-offense categories.
Applications for expungement are filed through the Solicitor's Office in the judicial circuit where the case was handled. The Solicitor reviews the application, and if eligible, forwards to SLED, which confirms there are no disqualifying prior records, then issues the expungement order. The process is entirely through the Solicitor's Office -- no court petition hearing is required for most categories.
InmateAid's guides on expungement cover South Carolina's framework in more detail. Mugshot removal from third-party sites after expungement is addressed in InmateAid's resources on that topic.
Frequently asked questions
Are South Carolina arrest records public?
Yes, under the Freedom of Information Act (SC Code Title 30, Chapter 4). Most arrest records are public. SLED maintains the central criminal history repository and CATCH provides public name-based searches. Juvenile records, expunged records, and active investigation materials are exempt from public access.
How do I search South Carolina arrest records?
SLED CATCH at catch.sled.sc.gov provides name-based criminal history searches for $25 per subject (exact last name, first initial, and date of birth required). Mail requests go to SLED, 4400 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210, phone 803-737-9000 (M-F, 8:30 AM to 5 PM). For free court case records, use the SC Judicial Branch Public Index at publicindex.sccourts.org. For recent arrests, check the relevant county sheriff's website. For multi-source results, TruthFinder aggregates public record data. For custody notifications, VINELink at vinelink.com is free. For SCDC state inmates, search at scdc.sc.gov.
What does a South Carolina arrest record contain?
A SLED CATCH record includes personal identifying information, arrest data (agency, date, charges), court dispositions, and conviction and sentencing information. It covers both arrests and convictions. Local law enforcement records include name, DOB, arrest date/time/location, charges, bail, court date, and booking photograph.
Is an arrest the same as a conviction in South Carolina?
No. An arrest documents that someone was taken into custody. A conviction reflects a court's finding of guilt. SLED CATCH returns both arrest and conviction data. Dismissed charges, acquittals, and nolle prosequi entries remain in SLED records and the SC Public Index until expunged under SC Code 17-1-40 and Title 17 Chapter 22.
How do I find someone in a South Carolina county jail?
Check the county sheriff's website where the arrest occurred. South Carolina's 46 counties each operate county detention centers and most publish online inmate rosters. VINELink at vinelink.com connects to many SC facilities and provides free notification registration. For someone in state prison, use the SCDC inmate search at scdc.sc.gov.
Can I search federal arrest records in South Carolina?
Federal court records are available through PACER at pacer.gov. For someone serving a federal sentence, the BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the free official tool. Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the SLED CATCH system, and a South Carolina expungement order does not affect FBI records.
How long does an arrest stay on record in South Carolina?
South Carolina arrest and conviction records remain in SLED and court records indefinitely unless expunged. After expungement of qualifying records under SC Code 17-1-40, records must be destroyed. Law enforcement and prosecution agencies retain sealed copies for 3 years and 120 days, after which full destruction is required.
Who qualifies for expungement in South Carolina?
Under SC Code Title 17, Chapter 22: dismissed, discharged, acquitted, nolle prosequi, and no-billed charges qualify; pretrial intervention (PTI) completions qualify; conditional discharge cases qualify; first-offense misdemeanor convictions in magistrate or municipal court with penalties of 30 days or less or fines up to $1,000 qualify 3 years after conviction under SC Code 22-5-910; and certain other first-offense categories qualify. Applications go through the Solicitor's Office in the applicable judicial circuit.
Does expungement destroy records in South Carolina?
Yes, with a limited exception. Under SC Code 17-1-40, when an expungement order is issued for dismissed or acquitted charges, the arrest and booking record, mug shots, and fingerprints must be physically destroyed. No municipal, county, or state agency may retain evidence of the charge after expungement. The exception: law enforcement and prosecution agencies retain sealed copies for 3 years and 120 days before destruction is required. SLED retains a nonpublic record of the expungement order itself. FBI records are not affected by the state order.
Why does my record show an arrest but no conviction?
Dismissed charges and acquittals remain in SLED CATCH and the SC Public Index until expunged. The expungement application is filed through the Solicitor's Office where the case was handled. For dismissed charges, there is generally no waiting period. Once the expungement order is issued, records must be destroyed under SC Code 17-1-40. ---
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