Criminal records of Kershaw County, South Carolina, are available through several channels. KershawCourt.us allows quick access to public information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official state judicial portal, law enforcement agencies, and the Clerk of Court's office. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and obtaining certified criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Kershaw
Start by determining what specific information you are looking for—court case, inmate status, or criminal history check. This will dictate which tool to use.
Online Search
- KershawCourt.us — enter the first and last name of the person to view publicly available information on county criminal cases.
- South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index — the official state judicial system portal. Select Kershaw County, enter the defendant's name or case number. The portal shows hearing dates, charges, and case status.
- SLED CATCH — South Carolina Law Enforcement Division's system for state-level criminal history checks. You need to accept the terms of use and enter the person's identification details.
- SCDC Inmate Search — displays photos and public information about individuals currently serving sentences in the Department of Corrections facilities.
- SCDPPPS Offender Search — for individuals under probation or parole supervision.
- SC Sex Offender Registry — maintained by county sheriff's offices in conjunction with SLED.
You will need at least the full name of the person (last name and first name) to search. Date of birth, case number, or SCDC number significantly narrow results.
In Person
Visit the Kershaw County Clerk of Court's office. There are public terminals for searching court cases. The clerk can help locate a specific case or provide copies of documents.
Mail Request
A written request for criminal history can be sent to SLED — this is the official state repository for criminal records. Include the full name, date of birth, social security number (if available), and purpose of the request.
Search Kershaw Criminal Cases by Case Number
Every criminal case in South Carolina is assigned a unique number that helps locate it instantly. The case number usually contains several elements:
- Year of Filing — the first two or four digits indicate the year the case was opened.
- Court or County Code — a letter or numeric identifier indicating jurisdiction (e.g., Kershaw County — General Sessions or Magistrate).
- Case Type — a letter designation: "GS" for General Sessions (felonies), "CR" for magistrate court criminal cases, etc.
- Sequential Number — a unique sequential number within the year and court.
If you have the full case number, enter it into the appropriate field on the state's judicial system Public Index portal. The result will show the parties involved, charges, hearing dates, and current status. This is the fastest way to get accurate information—no duplicates or confusion with namesakes.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Kershaw
Understanding each element of a court case will help correctly interpret the information found.
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the SC Code of Laws (e.g., § 16-13-30 — theft) |
| Severity Level | Felony, Misdemeanor, Infraction |
| Amended Charge | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more severe one |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is still under consideration, no decision has been made.
- Active — the case is open and has scheduled hearings.
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision.
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, and the case is closed.
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — first presentation of charges; the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty.
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.
- Pre-Trial — parties discuss procedural issues, possible agreements.
- Sentencing — the court announces the punishment after a guilty plea.
- Review — checking compliance with the terms of the sentence (e.g., probation).
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The court or jury found innocence |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict—usually by the prosecutor's or judge's decision |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Acquitted | Complete exoneration after substantive review |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Kershaw
Certified copies are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by employers, other courts, and government agencies. A regular printout from the portal is not certified.
Where to Apply
For county court cases — to the Clerk of Court. For state-level criminal history checks — to SLED.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person: visit the Clerk of Court's office at the address below. Bring a valid photo ID.
- By Mail: send a written request to the Clerk of Court or SLED. Include the full name of the person, date of birth, purpose of the request, and payment (check or money order).
- Online: through the SLED CATCH system, you can order a state criminal history check. You need to create an account and pay the fee.
Required Documents
- Valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, state ID)
- Full name and date of birth of the person being queried
- Case number (if known)
- Written consent of the person — if the request is made by a third party for certain types of checks
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Kershaw
The fee amount depends on the type of request and the processing agency. Below are approximate amounts based on current state and county rates.
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document | $0.25–$0.50 per page | Check with the Clerk of Court |
| Document certification | $1.00–$3.00 per document | Added to the copy cost |
| Criminal history check via SLED CATCH | $25.00 | Online payment; according to SC Code § 23-3-115 |
| Fingerprint check (via SLED) | $25.00+ | For licensing, employment, etc. |
Processing Time
- Online search via SLED CATCH: results are usually available within a few minutes.
- Mail request to SLED: 5 to 15 business days.
- Copies from the Clerk of Court (in person): typically on the same day if the case is easy to find.
- Mail request to Clerk of Court: 5 to 10 business days, depending on the volume of requests.
Older cases or records stored in the archive may take longer. Call the office in advance to clarify timelines and acceptable forms of payment.