Columbia SC Criminal History Lookup

Columbia Police Department Records and Criminal History

The Columbia Police Department Records Unit is located at 1 Justice Square, on the corner of Lincoln and Washington Streets, Columbia, SC 29201. The unit handles all incident reports, vehicular accident reports, and supplemental reports generated by CPD officers. You can reach the Records Unit at 803-545-3577. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, except on holidays.

Incident reports from the last 14 days cost $3.00 for most requesters. Victims receive those same reports at no charge. For reports older than 14 days, non-victims must submit a formal FOIA request using the form on the CPD website. Accident reports cost $3.00 regardless of whether you were involved. CPD accepts cash, check, debit, and major credit cards. The department does not provide information by phone, email, or fax, so you must appear in person or send a mailed request with proper identification.

Out-of-town requesters can mail their request to CPD headquarters. The department will mail the report to the address listed on the report itself after verifying your identity. Keep this in mind when submitting: if you have moved since the incident, include a copy of a current photo ID to confirm your identity.

Note: CPD does not release reports electronically. Plan ahead if you need a record quickly and cannot appear in person.

Searching Columbia Criminal History Through SLED and Public Index

SLED's CATCH system is the primary statewide tool for Columbia criminal history searches. CATCH is a name-based search that costs $25 per query. It returns records from SLED's central criminal repository, which includes convictions and charges reported by law enforcement agencies across South Carolina. Because it covers the entire state, a CATCH result gives you a broader view than a single-county court search.

For court filings specifically tied to Richland County, the free Richland County Public Index is the right tool. It lists circuit court cases by name or case number and includes charge details, dispositions, and hearing dates. This is particularly useful for confirming whether a pending felony case exists or for checking the outcome of a past matter without requesting certified copies from the clerk's office.

SLED's Sex Offender Registry at scor.sled.sc.gov is free and searchable by name, city, or ZIP. For Columbia residents subject to registration, this database shows current address, offense type, and registration status. It is updated regularly by SLED based on information submitted by county sheriffs and local law enforcement.

Columbia FOIA Requests for Criminal Records

South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act at SC Code Title 30, Chapter 4 gives any person the right to inspect or copy public records held by government bodies, including CPD. The FOIA request form is available on the CPD website at columbiapd.net. You can submit it by fax or mail along with any applicable fees.

Be as specific as possible when drafting your request. Include the full name of the subject, date range, incident type, and any known case or report numbers. Vague requests take longer to fulfill and may result in a broader fee estimate. The fee schedule is listed directly on the FOIA request form. Columbia must acknowledge your request within the statutory timeframes and produce records within 30 calendar days for most documents.

Columbia Municipal Court is located at 811 Washington Street, Columbia, SC 29201, and can be reached at (803) 545-3150. Municipal Court handles traffic violations, city ordinance offenses, and misdemeanor cases. The Violations Department, also at 811 Washington Street, processes ticket payments, provides copies of tickets, and assists with expungement verification.

Richland County Court Records for Columbia

The Richland County Clerk of Court maintains all circuit court filings for cases arising in Columbia and the rest of the county. The clerk's office is at 1701 Main Street, Suite 205, Columbia, SC 29201, and the phone number is (803) 576-1999. Circuit Court handles all felony criminal cases, major civil matters, and appeals from magistrate court.

The Richland County Public Index provides free online access to case records without requiring a visit to the courthouse. You can search by defendant name or case number and view charge details, court dates, and dispositions. If you need certified copies, contact the clerk's office. Certified copies carry a fee that varies depending on the number of pages and document type.

The SC Judicial Branch also maintains a courthouse directory and a statewide case records search tool. These are useful if you are unsure which court level handled a particular Columbia criminal matter.

Note: Richland County Public Index includes only circuit court cases. Traffic and ordinance violations handled by Columbia Municipal Court appear on a separate docket and require a direct request to that court.

Criminal Records Laws Affecting Columbia Residents

Columbia criminal history records are governed by a set of overlapping state statutes. SC Code Section 23-3-115 authorizes SLED to maintain a central repository of criminal history data and specifies who may access it. Law enforcement agencies submit arrest and conviction data to SLED, which then makes it available through CATCH and other channels. This statute also limits how certain data can be released to the general public versus authorized agencies.

The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, Title 30 Chapter 4, is the mechanism citizens use to obtain Columbia Police Department records. It requires the city to respond within set timeframes and limits fees to actual costs. Exemptions apply to records whose release would endanger an ongoing investigation, reveal the identity of a confidential informant, or invade personal privacy in ways that outweigh the public interest in disclosure.

SC Code Section 17-1-40 governs expungement. This statute sets eligibility criteria, the $250 filing fee, and the process for destroying records across all agencies that hold them. Columbia residents seeking expungement must file through the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office, which covers Richland County.

Expungement of Criminal History in Columbia

Qualifying Columbia residents can petition to have certain criminal records expunged under SC Code Section 17-1-40. Common qualifying situations include charges that were dismissed, cases that ended in a not-guilty verdict, and first-offense convictions where the defendant completed a diversion program. Some youthful offender convictions and specific drug-related offenses also qualify, depending on the charge and circumstances.

The petition process begins at the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office in Columbia. A $250 filing fee is due at the time of filing. The solicitor reviews the petition, checks for eligibility, and submits it to a circuit court judge for review. After the judge signs the order, it is sent to SLED, CPD, and every other agency that holds a copy of the record. Each agency must destroy its copy in accordance with the order.

Once expungement is complete, the charge no longer appears in SLED CATCH results or standard public records searches. The record is treated as though it did not occur for most purposes. Certain exceptions apply, including federal background investigations, professional licensing reviews, and applications for positions with law enforcement agencies. An attorney familiar with Richland County criminal law can advise you on whether a specific charge qualifies and what the practical effect of expungement will be.

Columbia Richland County Criminal History

Felony cases filed against Columbia residents are heard in Richland County Circuit Court. The county clerk provides access to those filings through the Public Index portal.

View Richland County Criminal History

Nearby South Carolina Cities

Cities near Columbia with their own criminal history search resources are listed below.

View Major South Carolina Cities